Polls show Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump in a tight race, particularly in seven key battleground states. Harris's campaign has actively promoted early voting, with notable figures like President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama already having voted.
Initially skeptical about early voting, Trump has shifted his stance, now encouraging supporters to vote at their convenience. As of Thursday, at least 62.7 million early votes had been cast, nearly 40% of the total in 2020.
In Georgia, over 3.5 million people have voted early, representing 45% of registered voters, a record high according to Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. He anticipates that up to 70% of Georgians will vote early this election.
The trend is similar in other swing states. Brad Hines, a 73-year-old police officer, shared his motivation for voting early in Wisconsin, emphasizing the importance of participation in this election for democracy.
Following the 2020 election, many states improved their early voting processes, according to Julian Zelizer, a Princeton professor. The high early voting numbers allow campaigns to focus their outreach efforts more effectively, as noted by political scientist Michael McDonald.
Data from six states indicates that women make up about 55% of early voters, compared to 45% for men, potentially benefiting Democrats, as polls show Harris leading among women. However, Republicans claim an increase in their early voter turnout as well.
At a recent rally, Trump asserted that Republicans have set records for early voting, while Georgia’s Raffensperger emphasized the importance of a fair and accurate voting process.
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