Nearly 60 million Americans had voted before Tuesday’s congressional elections, according to CNN. Voters registered as Democrats made up a larger share of those who cast ballots early, although party registration does not establish which candidates they supported.
CNN also reported that early voters were older on average than the rest of the electorate. Mail voting can be a practical option for people with physical limitations, and some states that require a reason to vote by mail recognize older age as a qualifying reason.
In previous elections, early voters have tended to favor Democrats, while Republican supporters have been more likely to vote on Election Day, CNN noted. The report suggested this pattern may be related to Donald Trump’s repeated claims, made without evidence, that mail voting is insecure.
The first polling places for the midterms opened on Tuesday. Polls were due to close first in Indiana and Kentucky at 5 p.m. local time, followed by many East Coast states between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The timing of results showing which party controls either chamber of Congress remained uncertain, and the outcome could take several days to become clear.
Sources: FAZ.