By Islam El-Sakka
Over 39 million Americans have already cast ballots in the 2026 midterm elections with less than a week remaining until Election Day on November 3, according to an NBC News analysis of state data and figures from TargetSmart.
Early voting surge and party breakdown
The total includes approximately 18.6 million mail-in votes and 21 million in-person votes. Of those who have voted, 47 percent are registered Democrats and 35 percent are registered Republicans.
Trump campaigns for Republican candidates
President Donald Trump has held a series of rallies to support Republican candidates, urging supporters to “pretend I’m on the ballot, because if you get out, we’re going to win big,” he told a crowd in Iowa. The GOP currently controls both the House and Senate, but polls suggest Democrats could flip Congress.
Key Senate race in Texas
In Texas, Democratic nominee James Talarico is in a tight race against Republican Ken Paxton. More than 5 million votes have already been cast in the state, where 45 percent of early voters are registered Republicans compared to 44 percent Democrats, bucking the national trend.
Congressional balance and election integrity concerns
Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority and a 218-214 House majority. Democrats have campaigned on frustration with the war in Iran and the cost of living, arguing that a congressional majority would check Trump’s policies. Trump has previously questioned the legitimacy of mail-in voting and, when asked if he would accept the November 3 results, said: “I will if they’re honest elections.”
