Early voting in New York surged nearly 70% from four years ago, with turnout more than doubling in several key upstate counties, according to data released Monday.
Across the state, 1,965,043 early votes were cast during the nine-day period from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, up from 1,178,676 in 2022, according to unofficial figures from the State Board of Elections.
New York City recorded 690,526 early votes, compared with 432,634 in 2022—an increase of about 60%.
Early voting in suburban and rural counties upstate rose by 70%, climbing from 746,042 votes to 1,274,717.
The most closely watched congressional races are unfolding in swing suburban and upstate districts. Voters statewide are also choosing candidates for governor, attorney general and comptroller.
The race to succeed retiring GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik in the North Country’s red-leaning 21st House District has become so competitive that Vice President JD Vance campaigned there Monday alongside Anthony Constantino, the Republican candidate backed by President Trump, in an effort to energize the party’s base.
Constantino, the owner of a sticker and decal printing company, is facing Democrat Blake Gendebien, a dairy farmer.
Early voting more than doubled in four counties within the 21st District compared with 2022: Clinton County rose from 3,930 votes to 7,323; Essex increased from 1,457 to 3,460; Oneida climbed from 8,682 to 17,363; and St. Lawrence grew from 2,681 to 6,375.
Turnout is also up sharply in the closely contested race for the 17th House District in the lower Hudson Valley, where two-term Republican Rep. Mike Lawler is facing a strong challenge from Democrat Cait Conley, an Army veteran.
In Rockland County, early voting rose 81% from four years ago, increasing by 24,355 votes to 44,184.
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Early voting was still relatively new in 2022, and those statewide elections took place after the COVID-19 outbreak, a factor that may have discouraged some voters from casting ballots in person before Election Day. Even so, the scale of this year’s increase stood out.
State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs expressed confidence after reviewing the early voting figures.
“It looks promising for the Democrats. I’d rather be us than them,” Jacobs said, referring to Republicans.
State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox urged caution, however.
“We have been urging early voting. Republicans have been coming out in great numbers,” Cox said.
At the top of the ticket, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is seeking reelection against Republican Bruce Blakeman, the current Nassau County executive.
Republican Saritha Komatireddy is challenging two-term Democratic Attorney General Letitia James.
In the comptroller’s race, Republican Joseph Hernandez is running against four-term Democratic incumbent Tom DiNapoli.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Election Day.
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