With five weeks remaining until Election Day, early voting has already commenced in various states across the country. Data analysis indicates that pre-election voting numbers for this year are expected to be lower than the record highs seen during the pandemic-impacted 2020 election.
As of Monday, over 430,000 votes have been cast in 25 states where data was accessible, according to election officials and research firms. This figure represents only a small fraction of the approximately 158 million votes cast in the previous presidential election.
Across 34 states and the District of Columbia, more than 53 million pre-election ballots have been requested by voters. However, these numbers are lower compared to the same period four years ago, based on data from Catalist, a company that provides data and analytics services to various organizations.
While early voting statistics do not determine final election outcomes, they do offer insights into voting trends among different demographic groups leading up to the election. Catalist CEO Michael Frias emphasized the importance of understanding general voting patterns across various age groups, genders, and races.
The decline in early voting interest compared to 2020 is not unexpected. The previous election saw a surge in pre-election voting due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with many voters opting for early or mail-in ballots to adhere to social distancing guidelines. With the pandemic situation improving, it is likely that more voters will choose in-person voting either before or on Election Day.
While the current early voting numbers may not match the levels seen in 2020, they provide valuable insights into voter behavior and preferences as the country gears up for the upcoming election.
