Why is early voting becoming more common in 2025

People want flexibility and states are offering it Also campaigns are encouraging it more than ever It helps lock in support before things get unpredictable

Is early voting really changing the outcome

Yep In some states early voters are making up halfor even moreof all ballots cast Thats a huge chunk shaping the final results before Election Day even arrives

Which states are seeing the biggest early turnout

New Jersey and Virginia are leading the way in 2025 especially among Democrats The difference in turnout is big enough to flip tight races

Are there downsides to early voting

Some argue it locks in decisions too early before all debates or news has played out But overall it gives more people a shot at voting so its seen as a win by most

Should candidates change how they campaign

Absolutely They already are Waiting until the final stretch isnt smart anymore You need to start strong and early or risk losing out on voters whove already made up their minds

Early Voting Is Changing How Primaries Work in 2025

You’ve probably noticed—more and more folks aren’t waiting for Election Day anymore. They're voting early. And honestly, it’s making a huge difference in how this year's primaries are going. It's not just about saving time. It’s changing who’s showing up, how campaigns are run, and even who ends up winning. Let’s break it down.

Early Voting Numbers Are Way Up This Year

So here’s the thing: early voting is kind of blowing up in 2025. In New Jersey, more than 330,000 Democrats voted early in the primary. That’s more than double what Republicans turned out—around 130,000. And over in Virginia, about 134,000 Democrats voted before Election Day even hit. That’s a lot.

Why does this matter? Well, it means tons of decisions are already being made before the final campaign push. Candidates can't count on last-minute speeches or ads anymore. Voters are locking in early, and that totally shifts the pace of the race.

Jack Ciattarelli, Mikie Sherrill Win New Jersey Primaries Election

Trump’s Endorsements Are Changing 2025 State Elections

Campaigns Can’t Wait Until the Last Minute Anymore

This year, the playbook changed. Candidates aren’t waiting until the final week to go all out. They're doing big pushes way ahead—mailers, phone calls, ads, the whole thing. Why? Because early voters matter just as much as Election Day ones. Probably more.

Campaigns are spending earlier to reach voters before ballots go out.
Some are even tailoring messages just for early voters.
There’s less room for “last-minute surprises” to swing a race.

Honestly, if you’re a candidate and you're not thinking about early voting, you’re probably already behind.

Some States Make It Easy, Some… Not So Much

Let’s talk access. Early voting isn’t the same everywhere. Some states are really open—mail-in, in-person, flexible hours. Others, not so much. And yeah, it makes a big difference. States that make early voting easier are seeing way more people show up. It gives more folks a chance to vote who might’ve skipped it otherwise.

But where early voting is limited, turnout stays pretty low. And that can affect whose voices actually get heard.

The Bigger Picture: What It Means Going Forward

Honestly, early voting is kind of reshaping how elections work—especially primaries. Here's what it could mean for the rest of 2025 and maybe even 2026: