Over 62 Million Votes Cast Early in Record-Breaking 2024 US Election

More than 62 million Americans have already cast their ballots in the 2024 election, marking historic early voting turnout and adding intensity to the race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, who remain virtually tied in the polls. This record-breaking turnout, which includes notable participation in battleground states like Georgia and Wisconsin, has prompted both campaigns to encourage early voting as a potential advantage.

Early voting data shows that around 45% of registered voters in Georgia have already voted, a new record, according to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. He anticipates as much as 70% of the state’s voters will cast their ballots early, a trend that mirrors other swing states where high early turnout may be key to the election’s outcome.

Harris’s campaign has actively promoted early voting, with support from prominent Democrats, including her running mate Tim Walz, outgoing President Joe Biden, and former President Barack Obama, who have all already voted. Initially skeptical of early voting, Trump has since encouraged his supporters to vote at their convenience, adding to the record early turnout.

While the surge in early voting has sparked optimism in both camps, analysts caution that interpreting these numbers as an electoral advantage remains challenging, as high early turnout could indicate enthusiasm on either side. Nonetheless, voters like Brad Hines, a 73-year-old Wisconsin police officer, underscore the importance of participating early in what many see as a crucial election for American democracy.