Millions had voted before Election Day
Mail and in-person voting make up different shares
The total combines early in-person votes and returned mail ballots; the mix varies by state reporting. The Election Lab at the University of Florida, which tracks early voting separately, also reported totals rising through the evening as more counties reported and more mail ballots arrived. Some states automatically send ballots to registered voters under universal vote-by-mail systems, so the total includes ballots that may not have been returned. The distinction matters when comparing participation with the number of ballots distributed.
Comparison with the 2022 midterms
Early-vote totals are not candidate results
Early-vote trackers count the number of people or ballots that have participated before Election Day. They do not report how those voters marked their ballots. Ballots must be processed and counted under state law and official procedures. Even a large increase in early voting in a particular state cannot by itself show which party benefits, because supporters of different candidates may have different voting schedules, mail-ballot habits and Election Day turnout.
Official counting will determine the outcome
Early-vote data are useful for understanding participation and voting methods, but some states continue to receive eligible mail ballots after Election Day. Counting and certification can therefore take time. The central distinction is that early-vote trackers measure how many ballots have been cast, not who won. The final result must come from official counts released by state and local election officials.
