Surge in younger voters and early voting this year

Compared to 2016, this election season has seen an increase in the number of young voters and in overall ballot submissions prior to election day. Current estimates show around 100 million ballots have been submitted early this year.

The 2020 election season has seen a boost in voters across all age ranges, most notably in younger voters.

Attributed largely to the lingering effects of COVID-19, the U.S. has also seen a surge in early voting, estimates showing around 100 million ballots have been cast early prior to election day.

Young voters made up a larger share of the pre-election day vote compared to 2016; nearly half of the 100 million early ballots.

Pre-Election Day voting surged this year as many voters were energized to cast a ballot ahead of November 3, mobilized by concerns about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and heightened attention to the presidential race.

It’s not clear whether the increase signaled a massive turnout wave or represented voters who otherwise would have voted on Tuesday.