More than 2.8 million North Carolinians cast ballots during early voting ahead of Election Day on Tuesday. That’s the most ever for a midterm election.
The number of people who cast ballots early was 30% higher than the 2022 midterms, when the GOP did well. The 2026 early vote was also 25% higher than the 2018 midterms, when Democrats had a strong performance.
But this year, registered Republicans were not as enthusiastic as Democrats, likely due to President Trump’s low approval ratings.
Republicans made up 26% of early voters this year, compared with 31% four years ago.
Democrats are expecting to do well on Tuesday. Democrat Roy Cooper is favored to win the U.S. Senate seat over Republican Michael Whatley.
But whether there is a blue wave depends on how unaffiliated voters break. They made up 35% of early voters this year, compared with 30% in 2022.
In addition to winning the Senate race, Democrats hope to win a state Supreme Court race and possibly flip the state House. They are also eyeing upset victories in at least two congressional races — the 11th District in the mountains and the 1st District in the rural northeast and along the coast.
