3 takeaways from pre-election voting

As the country gears up for the highly anticipated Election Day on November 5th, pre-election voting is wrapping up across the nation. With more than 78 million ballots already cast in 47 states and the District of Columbia, a clearer picture is emerging of who is choosing to vote early this year. While this data doesn’t provide insights into who voters are casting their ballots for, it does offer valuable information about the voting trends leading up to the big day.

One major takeaway from this year’s pre-election voting is the decrease in the number of voters choosing to vote early compared to the pandemic-era 2020 election. In 2020, over 110 million Americans opted to vote early either in person or by mail, making up roughly 70% of the total voter turnout. This year, however, pre-election voting is expected to make up closer to 50% of all ballots cast, a shift that aligns more closely with the 2022 midterm elections. While the final tally of 2024 voters won’t be known for weeks, it is clear that the electorate has shown a preference for voting on Election Day this time around.

Despite the overall decrease in pre-election voting, some states have witnessed a surge in early in-person voting compared to 2020. States like North Carolina and Georgia saw record numbers of voters turning out for early voting, signaling a strong interest in participating in the democratic process. However, the total pre-election voting in these states remains lower than in 2020 due to fewer individuals opting to vote by mail. Mail-in voting was a popular choice during the pandemic as voters sought to avoid crowded polling places, but the process has become more challenging in recent years in both North Carolina and Georgia.

As the nation prepares to head to the polls on November 5th, it is clear that the dynamics of pre-election voting have shifted since the last presidential election. While the data doesn’t provide a crystal-clear picture of the election outcome, it does offer valuable insights into the behavior of voters leading up to Election Day. With less than 24 hours to go before the polls open, all eyes are on the final push for voter turnout and the ultimate decision that will shape the future of the country.