Record early voting: Over 83 million Americans cast ballots ahead of polls

As the US general elections are set to take place today, November 5, approximately 83 million American voters have already participated, according to data released by the University of Florida.

The university's experts report that 82,713,594 citizens have cast their votes early, with nearly 45 million opting for in-person voting at polling stations and about 37.7 million choosing to vote by mail.

Among those who participated in early voting, 37.8% identified as members of the Democratic Party, while 35.8% identified as Republicans, and 26.4% did not declare any party affiliation, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In the latest poll conducted by PBS News alongside NPR and Marist Poll, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris leads former President Donald Trump of the Republican Party by 4 percentage points. The survey indicates that 51% of respondents support Harris, compared to 47% for Trump. Conducted from October 31 to November 2 among 1,297 respondents, the poll reflects a 2-point increase in Harris's approval rating since early October.

An earlier survey by Research Co. revealed that Harris is slightly ahead of Trump in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, garnering 49% support compared to Trump's 48%.

In 2020, early voting was chosen by two-thirds of voters, significantly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted efforts to reduce large gatherings at polling sites. This year, analysts are closely examining early voting patterns for clues on which candidate, Trump or Harris, may prevail on November 5.

A notable trend emerging from early voting data is the gender disparity, with women constituting 54% of early voters, as reported by the Election Lab based on data from states that provide gender breakdowns. Additionally, early voting participation among Republicans has risen compared to the 2020 election; 36% of early voters now identify as Republican, up from 30%, while 38% identify as Democratic, narrowing the gap between the two parties.

Demographics of early voters have also shifted from the last election cycle. In 2020, young voters aged 18-25 made up a significant 70% of early voters. However, this year, only 8% of early voters fall into that age group. Instead, voters aged 41 to 60 now represent the largest share of early ballots at 39%, indicating a shift in voter engagement patterns.

Support for candidates has shown variability among early voters. Initially, Trump had a slight advantage over Harris at the beginning of October, but by the end of the month, Harris had taken the lead. A recent survey by USA Today and Suffolk University reported that Harris led Trump 63% to 34% among early voters. Conversely, Trump continues to hold an advantage among those intending to vote on Election Day, with 52% support compared to Harris's 35%.

By Tamilla Hasanova