More New Yorkers are taking advantage of early voting in the state, with 1,964,393 votes cast as of Thursday, including 701,402 in New York City alone. This is a positive development for Republicans, as early-voting totals already seem to be on track to exceed the numbers from the last presidential election. In particular, in the seven battleground congressional districts in New York, a significant increase in Republican early voting suggests a strong showing for the party.
Data provided by New York Republicans show that early voting trends in the state’s battleground congressional districts are favoring Republicans compared to the previous election cycle. Alex DeGrasse, executive director of Rep. Elise Stefanik’s campaign, highlighted the significant Republican turnout in early voting, emphasizing that Democrats, led by Kathy Hochul, are experiencing a decline in support. The numbers indicate that Republicans are outperforming their 2022 margins by a considerable amount in key areas such as Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and upstate New York.
In Suffolk County’s 1st Congressional District, where Republican incumbent Nick LaLota is positioned to defeat Democrat John Avlon, there were 9.24% more Republicans voting early as of Thursday. In the other six swing districts, where Democrats currently hold the advantage, the margin ranges from 3.04% to 16.35%. These figures are significant considering the Democratic majority in New York and President Biden’s success in the state’s battleground districts in 2020, showcasing the progress made by the GOP in early voting.
The increased participation of Republicans in early voting is a positive development for the party, especially as they face Democrats who outnumber them by more than 2 to 1 in New York. In the 2020 election, then-President Donald Trump’s stance on early voting may have impacted the results, as he discouraged supporters from trusting the process. However, this time around, Trump is fully backing early voting and encouraging Republicans to cast their votes early in support of his bid to return to the White House.
Overall, the significant increase in early voting by Republicans in New York is indicative of a potential shift in dynamics for the upcoming elections. Democrats, previously dominant in the state, are facing a stronger challenge from the GOP, as seen in the early voting numbers from key battleground districts. This trend suggests that Republicans are mobilizing early and making significant gains in their voter turnout, which could have a substantial impact on the final election results in New York. With former President Trump’s active support and encouragement to vote early, Republicans are poised to make a strong showing in the state’s electoral landscape.
