The 2020 presidential election is unlike any other election in American history. Two vastly different candidates with opposing visions for the nation are vying for the presidency amidst a global pandemic.
As a result, a record-breaking number of Americans have already cast their ballots before Nov. 3. The dramatic increase in early voting is due not only to COVID-19, but also to an overwhelming desire among Americans to make their voices heard in these politically divisive times.
With the election still roughly two weeks away, more than 50 million ballots have been cast for the 2020 presidential election thus far.
Here are some numbers put that in context: With the election still roughly two weeks away, more than 50 million ballots have been cast for the 2020 presidential election thus far—almost 36% of the overall ballots cast in the 2016 election.
The determination to vote persists even in the face of major obstacles. In some states, like Georgia and Texas, voters have waited in lines for up to 8 hours. Over 6 million ballots have been cast in Texas, accounting for 38% of all registered voters in the state. In Georgia, almost 2 million ballots have been cast, up 152% from 2016 when approximately 600,000 ballots were cast during the same period. Georgia expects around 3.5 million early votes.
Thousands of voters braved the long lines in the rain as early in-person voting opened in Florida, a key state in this election. The ballots already cast in Florida show an upward trend of young early voter-turnout in the state; ballots cast by seniors aged 65 or older have dropped from about 64% of the pre-election vote in 2016 to just 52% currently. Hundreds of thousands more young people are voting early overall compared to the 2016 election, despite more than 70% of all votes cast thus far coming from the 50 and older voter group.
Major partisan differences have emerged concerning when voters plan to cast their ballot. According to a Gallup study, 62% of Democratic registered voters plan to vote early or indicate they have already voted, compared with 28% of Republican voters.
While these record-shattering numbers of early votes are exciting to see, it is important to continue the momentum.
Data collected by the Voter Study group reveals that nearly 40% of all registered Americans plan to vote by mail, despite President Trump’s persistent, public vilification of the system. Around 25% of registered voters are expected to vote early in-person and a projected 36% to vote on Election Day.
While these record-shattering numbers of early votes are exciting to see, it is important to continue the momentum. In these final days, make sure that you and your loved ones are engaging in this election season.
Go to fcnl.org/vote:
- Check your voter registration status
- Make sure you are registered where you should be and double-check your polling location
- Look into becoming a poll worker
- Make sure you, your family and friends have a plan to vote
