Republicans Grab the Lead in Florida Early Voting Seven Days Out
Republicans have overtaken Democrats in Florida early voting as the 2026 midterms approach. Registered Republicans now make up 40.2 percent of early voters, or about 1.41 million ballots, compared with 39.1 percent for Democrats at 1.37 million, for a narrow R+1.1 edge. Another 20.7 percent, roughly 728,000 voters, are unaffiliated or from minor parties.
The numbers mark a clear late surge. A week ago Democrats held a visible advantage in the early share. That gap has closed and flipped as more counties opened in-person sites and Republican turnout accelerated. Republicans continue to dominate early in-person voting while Democrats retain their usual edge in mail ballots. Overall turnout already exceeds three million combined early and mail votes statewide, well ahead of the same point in 2022.
Florida’s large Republican registration advantage is finally showing up in the early totals. With seven days left, the trend points to stronger GOP participation heading into Election Day.
If the pattern holds, it undercuts claims of Democratic momentum and sets up another solid night for Republicans in a state that has shifted right in recent cycles. Early numbers are not the final result, but the direction favors the GOP.- DTP