Early voting is underway in many states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
While the general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 3, millions of people have already cast their ballots. Because states run the federal elections, voter registration deadlines, early voting schedules and absentee ballot rules vary by state.
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According to the University of Florida Election Lab’s early vote tracker, more than 11 million people have already voted across the U.S. as of Oct. 20. More than 3 million were in-person early votes, while more than 7 million were mail-in ballots.
The push for early voting has mainly come from Democrats who are concerned about federal interference at polling locations and President Donald Trump’s effort to restrict mail-in voting. As of Tuesday, roughly 51% of registered Democrats had voted early compared to 32% of registered Republicans and 17% of those identified as others, according to NBC News.
With all 435 House of Representatives seats, 33 Senate seats and 39 governorships up for election, this year’s midterms will determine control of Congress.
Here are the key deadlines to know for the 2026 midterm elections.
What Are the Voter Registration Deadlines for the 2026 Midterms?
Voter registration rules and deadlines vary significantly by state. While some states require registration as early as 30 days before an election, 24 states and Washington, D.C., allow same-day voter registration during early voting, on Election Day, or both. Of those states, 17 permit same-day registration throughout early voting periods and on Election Day.
California is a key example. While its regular registration deadline passed Oct. 19, people can still register during the state’s early voting period, Oct. 24 – Nov. 2, including Election Day.
However, in many states, in-person, mail-in and online registration deadlines have passed altogether, including Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia. If voters haven’t registered in these states, they cannot vote this year.
North Dakota does not require voter registration – only a valid state ID at the polls.
When Does Early Voting Start and End in 2026?
Early voting allows eligible voters to cast their ballots in person at a designated voting site before Election Day. In most states, early in-person ballots are scanned by tabulators as they are cast, but results are not tallied until polls close on Election Day.
To vote early in person, check the local election office website to find designated early voting sites and their hours.
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Currently, 47 states and Washington, D.C., offer early voting. Early voting periods vary by state, although most conclude before Nov. 2.
According to Ballotpedia, Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire do not offer no-excuse early voting.
How Do I Vote by Mail in the 2026 Midterms?
Voting by mail or absentee ballot allows eligible voters to request, receive, fill out and return a ballot by mail or at drop-off locations rather than voting in person early or on Election Day.
Requesting a ballot: Voters can request an absentee ballot by email, mail or in person, depending on the state. Some states allow voters to join a permanent mail ballot list to automatically receive a ballot before each election.
There are eight states and Washington, D.C., that conduct elections entirely by mail: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington. This means that residents do not need to request a ballot, because it will automatically be sent to their home address.
Thirteen states require a voter to provide an excuse for why they cannot make it to the polls to qualify for a mail-in ballot. The remaining 29 states allow for no excuse absentee voting.
Ballot Availability: Federal law requires absentee ballots to be sent to active-duty military and overseas voters at least 45 days before a federal election. The completed ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Each state has its own timeline for absentee ballots to be counted.
Most states provide online tracking portals where voters can confirm their ballot was received and processed. Voters can track their absentee ballot by going to their state’s official election website.
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