US early voting tops 70 million, continuing historic pace

A lot more than 70 million Americans have cast ballots in the US presidential election, over fifty percent the full total turnout of the 2016 election with one week to go until Election Day, according to a Tuesday (Oct 28) tally from the US Elections Project.

The tally, which ultimately shows a record-breaking pace that could result in the highest voter turnout in percentage conditions in more than a century, maybe the latest sign of strong interest in the contest between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden. In addition, it highlights voters' desire to lessen their risk of exposure to COVID-19 as the pandemic regathers strength heading into winter.

Democrats hold a substantial advantage in early voting due to their embrace of mail balloting, which Republicans have historically cast in large numbers but have shunned amid repeated and unfounded attacks by Trump, who says the machine is susceptible to widespread fraud.

Overall, Democrats hold roughly a two-to-one advantage in early voting numbers. However, Republicans in recent weeks have narrowed the gap in early, in-person voting, data shows.

The high level of early voting has led Michael McDonald, the University of Florida professor who administers the united states Elections Project, to predict an archive US voter turnout of around 150 million, representing 65% of these eligible to vote, the best rate since 1908.

US voters have previously cast a lot more early votes during this presidential campaign than they did in all of 2016 if they passed the 47 million mark earlier this month, data shows.