Nationwide Early Voting: Surges and Mixed Turnout

Early voting is underway across the U.S., with some jurisdictions reporting surges while others show mixed trends: New York City logged nearly 300,000 ballots in the first four days, with Brooklyn (92,000+) and Manhattan (89,000+) leading. Mecklenburg County is seeing nearly a 50% increase over the last municipal election, Pitt County’s first-week voting rose from 677 to 2,120, and Beaufort County’s first-week numbers almost doubled; eastern North Carolina counties generally report notable increases versus 2023. By contrast, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, is experiencing slower participation, with many absentee requests but fewer returned ballots so far. Older voters (ages 55–82) are driving early turnout in NYC, which analysts say could influence the mayoral race between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani. Counties from Broome to Tampa are holding early voting or special elections — in Tampa, District 5 voters will choose between former councilmember Thomas Scott and Naya Young to fill the vacancy left by the late Gwen Henderson — and thousands of local races and measures are on the ballot. Election officials are reminding voters to check county websites for locations, hours, and sample ballots and to follow rules such as Harris County’s ID guidance and San Antonio’s ban on scary props, fake weapons and political or referendum-related apparel near polling places.