Democrats Build 23-Point Iowa Edge as North Carolina Early Voting Jumps 47%
Updated
Updated · CNN International · Oct 16
Democrats Build 23-Point Iowa Edge as North Carolina Early Voting Jumps 47%
3 articles · Updated · CNN International · Oct 16
Summary
Iowa and North Carolina early-voting data showed Democrats opening much stronger than Republicans, adding fresh evidence of a turnout enthusiasm gap in the midterms.
In North Carolina, 201,609 people voted in person on Thursday, up nearly 47% from the first day of 2022; registered Democrats outvoted Republicans by nearly 28 points, driven largely by weak GOP turnout.
In Iowa, Democrats held a 23-point edge through the first two days of voting, versus a 3-point advantage at the same stage in 2024; Democratic turnout reached 85% of 2024 levels, compared with 52% for Republicans.
North Carolina's electorate also skewed more favorable to Democrats, with Black voters making up 26% of Thursday's voters, up from 21% on the first day of 2024.
The early edge may narrow as voting continues—similar Democratic leads in Ohio and Virginia have shrunk over time—but party-registration data in Iowa and North Carolina offers a clearer read on the electorate.