Voter turnout for upcoming midterms appears on pace to smash previous records


The upcoming midterm elections appear to be some of the most closely watched in history, with interest sparking in a non-presidential ticket like never before. This appears evident from the current pace of voter turnout, which appears primed to shatter previous records, Axios reported Saturday.
November's election is already on pace with the 2018 midterms, which had a similar level of interest. CNN says more than 5.8 million ballots have already been cast in early voting across 39 states. By this date in 2018, just over 5 million people had voted early, suggesting there will likely be a continued record pace when it comes to early voting this year.
The upcoming elections may also set a new record for the total number of votes cast in a midterm year. Over 122 million people voted in the 2018 midterm elections, according to the Pew Research Center, the highest turnout in a midterm since 1978. If the current pace of early voting continues, the 2022 midterms appear likely to pass that figure.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Axios noted that a number of states are already seeing record-breaking early voting, particularly in two key battleground states, Georgia and Ohio.
According to WAGA-TV in Atlanta, the state of Georgia has already seen first-day early voting numbers that were twice as high as in 2018. In Ohio, meanwhile, the Columbus Dispatch reported nearly 945,000 people had already voted early or requested a mail-in ballot in the first week, a 2.7 percent increase from 2018.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Scientists invent a solid carbon-negative building material
Under the radar Building CO2 into the buildings
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Scottish hospitality shines at these 7 hotels
The Week Recommends Sleep well at these lovely inns across Scotland
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 1, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sets 25% tariffs on auto imports
Speed Read The White House says the move will increase domestic manufacturing. But the steep import taxes could also harm the US auto industry.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump allies urge White House to admit chat blunder
Speed Read Even pro-Trump figures are criticizing The White House's handling of the Signal scandal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Waltz takes blame for texts amid calls for Hegseth ouster
Speed Read Democrats are calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Michael Waltz to step down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judge: Nazis treated better than Trump deportees
speed read U.S. District Judge James Boasberg reaffirmed his order barring President Donald Trump from deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US officials share war plans with journalist in group chat
Speed Read Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal conversation about striking Yemen
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published