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.
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.
-
July 5 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include an extrajudicial detainment camp, 'alligator Alcatraz', and tax cuts for billionaires.
-
5 explosively funny cartoons about the 4th of July
Cartoons Artists take on liberty and justice for all, a terrifying firework, and more
-
Jeff in Venice: a "triumph of tackiness"?
In the Spotlight Locals protest as Bezos uses the city as a 'private amusement park' for his wedding celebrations
-
How will Trump's megabill affect you?
Today's Big Question Republicans have passed the 'big, beautiful bill' through Congress
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities
-
Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day
Speed Read The US Agency for International Development, a humanitarian organization, has been gutted by the Trump administration
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
Senate advances GOP bill that costs more, cuts more
Speed Read The bill would make giant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, leaving 11.8 million fewer people with health coverage