Election season is in full swing Friday as Virginia becomes the first state to allow in-person early voting in the 2024 cycle and six more states — Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming — make absentee ballots available, some with restrictions.
Minnesota and Virginia are Democratic, but have deep red sectors
Two competitive states begin voting today, starting with Minnesota.
The Midwestern state has voted Democratic in every election since 1972, but with a higher share of white, working-class voters and deeply Republican rural voters, the outcome has remained within competitive margins in each cycle. Biden won by about 7 points in 2020.
The president’s weaknesses made this state a bit more vulnerable mid-year, when the Trump campaign announced it would open more field offices there. But with Harris reenergizing Democrats and with Minnesota’s Tim Walz as her running mate, this state is likely to remain in Democratic hands.
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The story is similar in Virginia, which is home to densely populated Democratic areas in the northeast near DC and Republican voters in the southwest. That leaves places like Virginia Beach and Chesterfield as battlegrounds. Biden won Old Dominion by just over 10 points in the last election, so Republicans would have to have a very good night to win here. This state is probably a D in the Power Rankings.
Key races in states with early voting today
In the seven states that will begin early voting in some form today, there are only three competitive races for U.S. Senate, House of Representatives or governor:
- Minnesota's Second DistrictDemocratic Rep. Angie Craig has held this Twin Cities district since 2019. This cycle, she will face Marine and former U.S. Attorney Joe Teirab. It's the inclusion of rural areas in southwestern Minnesota that makes this race competitive. The race is rated Lean D in the Fox News Power Rankings.
- Second District of VirginiaVirginia's 2nd District was one of the most closely watched races in 2022 and a shift in the Republican camp. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans is this time facing U.S. Navy veteran and small business owner Missy Cotter Smasal in a military-heavy district that includes Virginia Beach. This is a race with a Republican majority in the Power Rankings.
- Virginia's 7th District:North Central District 7 remained in Democratic hands in 2022 thanks to Abigail Spanberger’s strong record, but she will vacate the seat at the end of this term to run for governor. This will be a showdown between two military veterans: Democrat Eugene Vindman and Republican Derrick Anderson. He’s Lean D in the Power Rankings.
How to Vote in Arkansas
This is a guide to early voting and registration. For complete and up-to-date information on voting eligibility, processes, and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the election website for Arkansas.
Voting by mail:
Friday is the deadline for Arkansas county officials to send absentee ballots to U.S. military service members and other citizens living overseas who have already requested them. Absentee ballots must be mailed to voters with an excuse for why they were unable to vote in person by Oct. 11.
Oct. 29 is the deadline for county clerks to receive all absentee ballot applications. The ballot must be mailed to the state by Nov. 1 if submitted in person and by Nov. 5 if submitted by mail.
Early voting in person:
Residents can vote early beginning Oct. 21 at the county clerk's office. Absentee ballots can be returned in person through Nov. 1.
Voter Registration:
October 7 is the deadline for Arkansans to register to vote.
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How to Vote in Idaho
This is a guide to early voting and registration. For complete and up-to-date information on voting eligibility, processes, and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the electoral website for Idaho.
Voting by mail:
Idaho began absentee voting on Friday. Applicants do not need to provide an excuse to receive a ballot. The state must receive a ballot request by Oct. 25 and that ballot must be delivered to state officials by Nov. 5.
Early voting in person:
Early voting by in-person begins Oct. 21. Absentee ballots can also be submitted in person up until Election Day. Visit Idaho's voting website for more information.
Voter Registration:
Idaho allows residents to register to vote in person during early voting or on Election Day. Online voter registration ends 24 days before Election Day.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
How to Vote in Minnesota
This is a guide to early voting and registration. For complete and up-to-date information on voting eligibility, processes, and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the electoral website for Minnesota.
Voting by mail:
Minnesota began allowing mail-in voting on Friday. Applicants do not need to provide an excuse to receive a ballot. A ballot application must be received by the state by Nov. 4 and delivered to state officials by Nov. 5.
Early voting in person:
Absentee ballots can be returned in person up until Election Day. Early voting policies vary by location. Visit Minnesota's voting website for more information.
Voter Registration:
Minnesota residents can register to vote online, in person during early voting, or in person on Election Day.
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How to Vote in South Dakota
This is a guide to early voting and registration. For complete and up-to-date information on voting eligibility, processes, and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the electoral website for South Dakota.
Voting by mail:
South Dakota began absentee voting on Friday. Applicants do not need to provide an excuse to receive a ballot. A ballot application must be received by the county by Nov. 4 and that ballot must be delivered to county clerks by Nov. 5.
Early voting in person:
Absentee ballots can be returned in person up until Election Day.
Voter Registration:
South Dakota residents must register to vote by October 21.
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
How to Vote in Virginia
This is a guide to early voting and registration. For complete and up-to-date information on voting eligibility, processes, and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the electoral website for Virginia.
Voting by mail:
Virginia began absentee voting on Friday. Applicants do not need to provide an excuse to receive a ballot. A ballot request must be received by the voter's county by Oct. 25, and the ballot must be mailed by Nov. 5. An emergency absentee ballot can be requested through Nov. 4, but some restrictions apply.
Early voting in person:
Early voting in person also began Friday and will continue through Nov. 2. Absentee ballots can be submitted in person through Election Day.
Voter Registration:
Virginia residents who wish to vote must register by October 15, although they may register up to Election Day and vote using a provisional ballot.
How to Vote in West Virginia
This is a guide to early voting and registration. For complete and up-to-date information on voting eligibility, processes, and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the electoral website for W.V.
Voting by mail:
West Virginia began absentee voting on Friday. Applicants will need to provide a reason to receive a ballot. A ballot request must be received by the county by Oct. 30 and mailed by Nov. 5.
Early voting in person:
Early voting by in-person begins on October 23 and will continue through November 2. Absentee ballots can be submitted in person through November 4.
Voter Registration:
West Virginians who wish to vote in the general election must register online, by mail, or in person by October 15.
How to Vote in Wyoming
This is a guide to early voting and registration. For complete and up-to-date information on voting eligibility, processes, and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the electoral website for Wyoming.
Voting by mail:
On Friday, Wyoming began allowing mail-in voting for U.S. military or citizens stationed overseas. Mail-in voting for everyone else begins Oct. 8, and ballots must be mailed by Nov. 5.
Early voting in person:
In-person absentee voting begins October 8 and runs through November 4.
Voter Registration:
Voter registration closes on October 21.
By the end of September, 26 states and Washington, D.C., are expected to have begun some form of voting.
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