Election season kicks into high gear on Friday, with Virginia becoming the first state to allow in-person early voting for the 2024 election cycle, and six other states — Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming — also opening up absentee voting with some limitations.
Minnesota and Virginia lean Democratic, but have strong Republican bases.
Voting begins today in two competitive states, starting with Minnesota.
The Midwestern state has voted Democratic in every election since 1972, but its high share of white working-class voters and rural, deep red voters has meant the results have remained close every election. In 2020, Biden won by about 7 points.
The president's weakness made the state somewhat of a swing state through the middle of the year, and the Trump campaign announced it would open more field offices there around the same time, but with Harris energizing the Democratic Party and Minnesota's Tim Walz as her running mate, the state is likely to remain in Democratic hands.
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It's a similar story in Virginia, with densely populated blue areas in the northeast near Washington DC and ruby red votes in the southwest, making places like Virginia Beach and Chesterfield battlegrounds. Biden won the Old Dominion State by just over 10 points in the last election, so Republicans would have to do pretty well to pull off this win. The state is likely to get a D in the power rankings.
Key lower-level races in early voting states today
Of the seven states where some form of early voting begins today, only three have competitive races for the U.S. Senate, House and governor.
- Minnesota 2nd District: Rep. Angie Craig, a Democrat, has represented the Twin Cities district since 2019. This term she faces off against Marine and former U.S. Attorney Joe Tailove. The race is competitive because it includes rural areas in southwest Minnesota. The race is ranked D-leaning in the Fox News Power Rankings.
- Virginia 2nd Congressional District: Virginia's 2nd Congressional District was one of the most closely watched races in 2022, won by a Republican. Rep. Jen Kiggans will now face off against U.S. Navy veteran and small business owner Missy Cotter Smasal in a heavily military district that includes Virginia Beach, a lean-R district in the power rankings.
- Virginia's 7th Congressional District: The North Central 7th District remained in Democratic hands in 2022 thanks to Abigail Spanberger's strong brand, but she's vacating her seat at the end of this term to run for governor. It's a showdown between two Army veterans, Democrat Eugene Vindman and Republican Derrick Anderson. It's leaning toward D in our power rankings.
How to Vote in Arkansas
This is your guide to registering and voting early. For comprehensive, up-to-date information on voting eligibility, procedures, and deadlines, Vote.gov Election Website To Arkansas.
Vote by Mail:
Friday is the deadline for Arkansas county clerks to send absentee ballots to U.S. military personnel and citizens living overseas who have already applied for one. Absentee ballots must be mailed by Oct. 11 to voters who have a reason they can't vote in person.
Oct. 29 is the deadline for county clerks to receive absentee ballot applications. Ballots must be submitted to the state by Nov. 1 if submitted in person, or Nov. 5 if submitted by mail.
Early In-Person Voting:
Residents can vote early at their county clerk's office starting Oct. 21. Absentee ballots are returnable It will be held in person until November 1st.
Voter Registration:
October 7th is the deadline for Arkansans to register to vote.
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How to Vote in Idaho
This is your guide to registering and voting early. For comprehensive, up-to-date information on voting eligibility, procedures, and deadlines, Vote.gov and election websites Idaho.
Vote by Mail:
Idaho began accepting absentee ballots on Friday. Applicants do not have to provide a reason for receiving a ballot. The state must receive the ballot application by Oct. 25, and the ballot must be sent to the state's office. Must be delivered The plan is to be submitted to state authorities by November 5th.
Early In-Person Voting:
Early voting begins on October 21. Absentee ballots can also be submitted in person until Election Day. Voting Website For more information please click here.
Voter Registration:
In Idaho, residents can register to vote early or in person on Election Day. Online Voter Registration It ends 24 days before Election Day.
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump speaks at a rally, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Uniondale, New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
How to Vote in Minnesota
This is your guide to registering and voting early. For comprehensive, up-to-date information on voting eligibility, procedures, and deadlines, Vote.gov and election websites Minnesota.
Vote by Mail:
Minnesota began accepting absentee ballots on Friday. Applicants do not need to provide a reason to receive a ballot. The state must receive the ballot application by Nov. 4, and the ballot must be delivered to state officials by Nov. 5.
Early In-Person Voting:
Absentee ballots can be returned in person up until Election Day. Early voting policies vary by location. In Minnesota Voting Website For more information please click here.
Voter Registration:
Minnesota Residents You can register to vote You can vote online, during early voting or in person on Election Day.
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How to Vote in South Dakota
This is your guide to registering and voting early. For comprehensive, up-to-date information on voting eligibility, procedures, and deadlines, Vote.gov and election websites South Dakota.
Vote by Mail:
South Dakota began accepting absentee ballots on Friday. Applicants do not need to provide a reason to receive a ballot. Counties must receive ballot applications by Nov. 4, and the ballots must be delivered to county officials by Nov. 5.
Early In-Person Voting:
Absentee ballots can be returned in person up until Election Day.
Voter Registration:
South Dakota residents have until October 21st to register to vote.
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
How to Vote in Virginia
This is your guide to registering and voting early. For comprehensive, up-to-date information on voting eligibility, procedures, and deadlines, Vote.gov and election websites Virginia.
Vote by Mail:
Virginia began accepting absentee ballots on Friday. Applicants do not need to provide a reason to receive a ballot. A voter's county must receive a ballot application by Oct. 25, and the ballot must be submitted by Nov. 5. Emergency absentee ballots can be applied for until Nov. 4, but some restrictions apply.
Early In-Person Voting:
Early voting also began Friday and will continue through Nov. 2. Absentee ballots can be submitted in person up until Election Day.
Voter Registration:
Virginians who want to vote You must register by October 15th. However, you can still register and vote using a provisional ballot until Election Day.
How to Vote in West Virginia
This is your guide to registering and voting early. For comprehensive, up-to-date information on voting eligibility, procedures, and deadlines, Vote.gov and election websites West Virginia.
Vote by Mail:
West Virginia began accepting absentee ballots on Friday. Applicants can Making Excuses To receive a ballot, counties must receive a ballot application by Oct. 30, and that ballot must be submitted by Nov. 5.
Early In-Person Voting:
Early voting begins Oct. 23 and runs through Nov. 2. Absentee ballots can be submitted in person until Nov. 4.
Voter Registration:
West Virginians who want to vote in the general election have until Oct. 15 to register online, by mail or in person.
How to Vote in Wyoming
This is your guide to registering and voting early. For comprehensive, up-to-date information on voting eligibility, procedures, and deadlines, Vote.gov and election websites Wyoming.
Vote by Mail:
Wyoming began allowing absentee voting for U.S. military personnel or citizens living overseas on Friday. Absentee voting for everyone else began on Oct. 8, and ballots must be submitted by Nov. 5.
Early In-Person Voting:
Absentee voting will run from October 8th to November 4th.
Voter Registration:
Voter registration closes on October 21st.
By the end of September, 26 states and Washington, D.C., are expected to begin voting in some form.
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