Record Total for Early Voting
A record 101.9 million Americans voted before Election Day this year. That was more than double the total of 2016, which was 47 million. In several votes, the early vote exceeded the total vote (early and on the day) in 2016. Early voters reported several motivations, including fears over the COVID-19 pandemic. Some states have allowed mail-in voting for years, even a decade. Other states allowed such voting for the first time this year. The record-setting vote tallies followed a trend. Both the 2020 primary elections and the 2018 midterm elections featured highest-ever turnouts across the country.
Senate Seats Up for Grabs
The usual 33 Senate seats are up in this election cycle. As well, Arizona and Georgia have had special elections to fill two more seats. As a result, a total of 35 seats in the Senate are technically undecided. Republicans hold a 53–47 advantage in the current Senate makeup.
