What is early voting and why is it important for US elections?

Early voting varies by state, with most offering in-person voting before Election Day and some also providing mail-in ballot options.

By: Express Web Desk
October 20, 2024 01:07 AM IST

4 min read

Early voting can impact election results, especially in close races. (AP photo)

Early voting is a key part of US elections, allowing Americans to cast their votes before Election Day. As the 2024 election approaches, many states, including important battlegrounds like Georgia, have already started early voting. For example, in Georgia, over 300,000 people voted on the first day of early voting. This option makes voting more convenient and helps more people participate.

How does early voting work?

Early voting works differently in each state. Most states allow people to vote in person at polling places before Election Day. Some states also offer mail-in voting, where voters receive their ballot in the mail and send it back before the deadline. In states like Virginia, early voting began more than two weeks ahead of Election Day, with many absentee ballots already cast.

Why is early voting important?

Voters wait to cast their ballots at the Rutherford County Annex Building on the first day of early voting, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Rutherfordton, N.C. (AP photo)

Early voting offers several benefits:

More opportunities to vote: Early voting makes it easier for people who may have trouble voting on Election Day due to work, travel, health, or other issues. This ensures that more people can have their voices heard.
Election predictions: By looking at early voting trends, experts can get a sense of voter turnout and predict what might happen on Election Day. For example, in Virginia, many people who regularly vote have already cast their ballots early. This can help campaigns and analysts prepare for Election Day results.
Boosts voter excitement: Early voting can increase enthusiasm around elections. For instance, when celebrities like Taylor Swift support a candidate, it can encourage more people to vote early.

How early voting affects election results

Terry McEntire, a poll worker, helps a voter with curbside voting outside the Rutherford County Annex Building on the first day of early voting, Rutherfordton, N.C. (AP photo)

Early voting can impact election results, especially in close races. In 2020, over 100 million people voted before Election Day, accounting for about two-thirds of all votes cast. Early voting trends can vary based on political preferences. For example, in Virginia’s 2020 election, 70% of voters in Democratic-leaning areas voted early, compared to 50% in Republican-leaning areas.

For 2024, experts are keeping an eye on how early voting is playing out. So far, more absentee ballots have been returned in Republican-leaning areas than in Democratic-leaning ones. This could signal a change in how voters participate and might influence the final results.

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Controversies around early voting

Despite its advantages, early voting has faced some controversy, especially regarding mail-in voting. During the 2020 election, former President Donald Trump claimed, without evidence, that mail-in voting led to widespread fraud. These claims have since been debunked, but they fueled debates about election security.

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In response, some states introduced new restrictions on early voting after 2020. However, in the 2024 election, the Republican Party is encouraging early voting to help win key races, especially in swing states like North Carolina and Georgia.

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(With inputs from Al Jazeera, NBC News, The New York Times)

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