WASHINGTON — More than 23 million early votes had been accepted as of Saturday for the United States midterm elections on November 3, a notable difference from the 15 million cast at a similar point in 2022.

According to experts, early voting continues to rise in several key states, giving Democrats hope that it will translate into greater electoral participation in the elections just 10 days away.

An analysis by political scientist Michael Bitzer highlighted that in North Carolina, more than 1.2 million early votes were received, representing a 37 percent increase compared with the same period before the midterms four years ago.

That growth—covering both in-person and mail ballots—has been driven by a 47 percent increase among registered Democrats and a 60 percent increase in participation among unaffiliated voters. Meanwhile, among Republicans, early voting rose 2.6 percent.

Similar trends are observed elsewhere, with particularly high turnout in states that have historically leaned toward the Republican Party but that in this electoral cycle present competitive Senate races.

In Texas, where a Senate seat is at stake that would represent a historic political shift if it fell into the hands of Democrat James Talarico, the two main metropolitan areas, Dallas and Houston, showed record votes on the first business day, last Monday.

At least 30 percent of Texas voters are Latino, and in this electoral cycle general polls show that segment of voters is moving toward the Democratic side.

For example, in Kansas, early voting increased approximately 69 percent; in Maine, 41 percent; and in Iowa, 24 percent, according to an analysis by The New York Times based on state electoral records and voter data through Thursday.

Opinion studies maintain that the economy, which at one point was one of the strong points of Donald Trump's campaign for the presidency in 2024, is now his main vulnerability.

The promises to lower prices on the first day of his return to the White House and a golden era for Americans have been shattered: only 21 percent approve of his handling of the cost of living, according to a recent survey by The Washington Post.

The digital site Axios recently published that Republicans need loyal Trump supporters to turn out to vote; however, backing an unpopular president carries the risk of alienating independent voters, whose participation is crucial to winning close electoral contests.

In the midterm elections, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be up for renewal; in addition, there will be elections for governors in 36 states and three territories, as well as other local and state offices.

Although the president's name will not be on the ballots, voters will settle accounts. Forecasts indicate that Republicans would lose the House of Representatives and do not rule out the same happening in the Senate.