Election season is in full swing on Friday: Virginia becomes the first state to allow in-person voting before the election in the 2024 election cycle, and six other states — Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming — allow mail-in voting, some with restrictions.
Minnesota and Virginia tend toward the Democrats, but also have deep red pockets
Voting begins today in two contested states, starting with Minnesota.
The Midwestern state has voted Democrat in every election since 1972, but because it has a higher share of white, working-class voters and deep-red rural areas, the outcome has remained competitive in every election cycle. Biden won by about 7 percentage points in 2020.
The president’s weaknesses brought this state into play a little more mid-year, at the same time that the Trump team announced plans to open more outposts there. But with Harris giving the Democrats new momentum and Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate, this state will likely remain in Democratic hands.
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The situation is similar in Virginia, where there are densely populated areas with blue populations in the northeast near Washington DC and red populations in the southwest. That leaves places like Virginia Beach and Chesterfield as battlegrounds. Biden won the Old Dominion by just over 10 points in the last election, so the Republicans would need a very good night to win here. This state is probably ranked D in the power rankings.
Important elections in the states where early voting takes place today
In the seven states where early voting begins in some form today, there is still competition in only three races for seats in the Senate, House of Representatives or governorship:
- 2nd District of Minnesota: Democratic Rep. Angie Craig has held this Twin Cities district since 2019. This election cycle, she will face Marine and former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab. It is the inclusion of rural areas in southwestern Minnesota that makes this race so competitive. The race is ranked Lean D in the Fox News Power Rankings.
- 2nd District of Virginia: Virginia’s 2nd District was one of the most closely watched races of 2022 and a Republican swing. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans is running against U.S. Navy veteran and small business owner Missy Cotter Smasal this time in a military-heavy district that includes Virginia Beach. This is a Lean-R race in the Power Rankings.
- 7th District of Virginia: The 7th District in central northern Syria remained in Democratic hands in 2022 thanks to Abigail Spanberger’s strong brand, but she will vacate the seat at the end of this term to run for governor. This will be a duel between two Army veterans: Democrat Eugene Vindman and Republican Derrick Anderson. He is among the D candidates in the power rankings.
How to vote in Arkansas
This is a guide to registration and early voting. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on eligibility, procedures and deadlines, visit Vote.gov and the election website for Arkansas.
Postal voting:
Friday is the deadline for Arkansas county officials to mail absentee ballots to U.S. service members and other citizens living overseas who have already applied. Absentee ballots must be sent to voters, with an excuse for not being able to vote in person, no later than Oct. 11.
October 29 is the deadline for all absentee ballot applications to be received by county clerks. The ballot must be submitted to the state by November 1 for in-person voting and November 5 for absentee voting.
Early voting in person:
Residents can vote early at the county clerk’s office beginning October 21. Absentee ballots can be dropped off in person until November 1.
Voter registration:
October 7 is the deadline for voter registration for Arkansas residents.
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How to vote in Idaho
This is a guide to registration and early voting. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on eligibility, procedures and deadlines, visit Vote.gov and the election website for Idaho.
Postal voting:
Idaho began voting by mail on Friday. Candidates do not need to provide a reason to receive a ballot. The state must receive a ballot application by Oct. 25, and that ballot must be delivered to state officials by Nov. 5.
Early voting in person:
Early in-person voting begins October 21. Absentee ballots can also be cast in person until Election Day. Visit your state of Idaho’s elections website for more information.
Voter registration:
Idaho allows residents to register to vote during early voting or in person on Election Day. Online voter registration closes 24 days before Election Day.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in Uniondale, NY (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
How to vote in Minnesota
This is a guide to registration and early voting. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on eligibility, procedures and deadlines, visit Vote.gov and the election website for Minnesota.
Postal voting:
Minnesota began voting by mail on Friday. Candidates do not need to provide a reason to receive a ballot. The state must receive a ballot application by Nov. 4, and that ballot must be delivered to state authorities by Nov. 5.
Early voting in person:
Absentee ballots can be cast in person until Election Day. Early voting policies vary by location. Visit your Minnesota state election 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 registration and early voting. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on eligibility, procedures and deadlines, visit Vote.gov and the election website for South Dakota.
Postal voting:
South Dakota began voting by mail on Friday. Candidates do not need to provide a reason to receive a ballot. The county must receive a ballot application by Nov. 4, and that ballot must be delivered to county clerks by Nov. 5.
Early voting in person:
Postal 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 registration and early voting. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on eligibility, procedures and deadlines, visit Vote.gov and the election website for Virginia.
Postal voting:
Virginia began mail-in voting on Friday. Applicants do not need to provide a reason to receive a ballot. The voter’s precinct must receive a ballot application by Oct. 25, and that ballot must be submitted by Nov. 5. An emergency mail-in ballot can be requested until Nov. 4, but some restrictions apply.
Early voting in person:
Early in-person voting also began Friday and will continue through Nov. 2. Absentee ballots can be cast in person until Election Day.
Voter registration:
Virginia residents who wish to vote must register by October 15, but they can still register and vote using a provisional ballot up until Election Day.
How to vote in West Virginia
This is a guide to registration and early voting. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on eligibility, procedures and deadlines, visit Vote.gov and the election website for ^ “West Virginia: A Journey Through the West Virginia Region”.
Postal voting:
West Virginia began voting by mail on Friday. Applicants must provide a reason to receive a ballot. The county must receive a ballot application by October 30, and it must be submitted by November 5.
Early voting in person:
Early voting in person begins on October 23 and runs through November 2. Absentee ballots can be cast in person until November 4.
Voter registration:
West Virginia residents 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 registration and early voting. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on eligibility, procedures and deadlines, visit Vote.gov and the election website for Wyoming.
Postal voting:
Wyoming began mail-in voting for U.S. soldiers and citizens living abroad on Friday. For everyone else, mail-in voting begins on October 8, and ballots must be submitted by November 5.
Early voting in person:
In-person voting begins on October 8 and runs until November 4.
Voter registration:
Voter registration ends on October 21.
By the end of September, 26 states and Washington, DC are expected to have begun voting.
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