The pandemic-era 2020 election had the highest ever early vote totals, at more than 101 million, or 63% of all votes cast.
But beside 2020, the share of early votes has remained steady since 2012, even as early vote totals have increased.
In 2012 and 2016, early votes were about 36% of all votes.
This comes as more states offer more options for people to cast their ballot: In 2000, fewer than half the states offered early voting, and as of 2024, only three states — Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire — don’t offer in-person early voting.
It’s important to not misread early vote numbers or read too much into who has voted thus far.
Organizations:
New Hampshire — don’t
Locations:
— Alabama, Mississippi, New Hampshire