Record-Breaking Early Voting Turnout Reported in New York, New Jersey, and Michigan

In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, several states have seen a significant surge in early voting, setting new records and exceeding previous turnout numbers. In New York City, the first day of early voting on October 26 saw a record-breaking 140,145 voters cast their ballots, surpassing the first-day turnout of the 2020 presidential election by nearly 50,000 voters. Brooklyn led the way with 40,289 voter check-ins, followed by Manhattan with 38,237, Queens with 31,671, the Bronx with 16,462, and Staten Island with 13,486.

In New Jersey, the first day of in-person early voting also witnessed a substantial turnout. A total of 135,075 votes were cast, with Democrats and Republicans running almost even in terms of voter participation. This marks a significant increase from the first-day early vote turnout in previous elections. The 7th congressional district saw a notable turnout, with Republicans having a 14-point edge over Democrats.

Michigan also reported a record-breaking start to its early voting period. On the first day, October 26, more than 145,000 Michigan voters cast their ballots, far exceeding the expectations of state and local election officials. At least 12 early voting sites had over 1,000 voters each. This is the first general election where Michigan voters have the option to vote at in-person early voting sites, following a constitutional amendment passed in 2022 that expanded voting rights.

The high turnout in these states reflects a strong enthusiasm among voters to participate in the electoral process. Early voting continues through November 3 in New York City and Michigan, and voters in these states have multiple options to cast their ballots, including in-person early voting, absentee voting, and voting on Election Day, November 5.