DES MOINES, Iowa — Early voting data in Iowa indicates a close split between Democratic and Republican voters, challenging the narrative that Democrats hold a clear lead in early voting. As of the latest count, 553,804 mail ballots have been returned, reflecting a strong turnout across both major parties.
Breakdown of Returned Mail Ballots by Party
Mail ballot returns reveal a nearly even divide between Democrats and Republicans:
- Democrats: 219,085 ballots returned, making up 39.6% of accepted mail ballots. Out of 228,762 ballots requested, Democrats returned 95.8% of their ballots.
- Republicans: 220,140 ballots returned, representing 39.8% of accepted mail ballots. With 230,236 ballots requested, Republicans have a 95.6% return rate.
- None/Minor Parties: 114,579 ballots returned, accounting for 20.7% of the total. Out of 121,664 requested, 94.2% have been returned.
The high return rates across all party lines reflect strong engagement by voters in Iowa, with Democrats and Republicans nearly tied in their share of the early mail-in turnout.
Age Breakdown of Returned Mail Ballots
Mail-in voting participation also varies significantly by age group, with older voters leading in turnout:
- Over 65: 264,150 ballots returned (47.7% of the total), with a return rate of 97.1%.
- Ages 41-65: 192,960 ballots returned (34.8%), with a 95.8% return rate.
- Ages 26-40: 61,004 ballots returned (11.0%), with a 92.1% return rate.
- Ages 18-25: 35,671 ballots returned (6.4%), with an 87.3% return rate.
Voters aged 65 and over make up the largest share of mail-in ballots, while younger voters between 18 and 25 represent the smallest share of early returns.
Summary
The close split between Democrats and Republicans in early mail-in ballot returns suggests a highly competitive race in Iowa. With both parties turning out in almost equal numbers, the outcome will likely come down to Election Day turnout. Although early voting has been robust, officials remind the public that these are ballots received, not votes counted. By law, counting will begin on Election Day.
This strong showing from both sides reflects the importance of Iowa’s role in the national political landscape and underscores the potential impact of Election Day turnout.
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