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Four states begin early voting for the midterm elections before October, starting as early as September 18 in Virginia, South Dakota, and Minnesota. In Virginia, particular attention is given to House races where Democrats could gain seats; incumbent Rep. Jen Kiggans faces a close contest with Democratic challenger Elaine Luria in the 2nd District. Illinois begins its early voting period on September 24. Each state has different rules for voter registration deadlines and availability of absentee or in-person early voting options.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Early voting for the 2026 midterm elections begins in September in several states. Virginia, South Dakota, and Minnesota start early voting on September 18, while Illinois begins on September 24. In Virginia, voter registration updates are due by October 23, with early in-person voting until October 31. South Dakota has a general election date of November 3 and absentee voting starts on September 18, using "in-person absentee" instead of traditional early voting methods. Minnesota allows ballots for in-person voting from September 18 but actual early voting begins on October 16 until November 2. Early voting could significantly impact Virginia's House races, with Democrats potentially gaining seats in the closely contested 1st and 2nd congressional districts, particularly in the 2nd District, which is a toss-up race between incumbent Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Democratic challenger Elaine Luria.
Written for “Early Voting States Midterms” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 17040 · logged 2026-09-18
The midterm elections are less than two months away on Tuesday, Nov. 3, but in some states, early voting begins in September.
asserted
voting → begin → September
Three states begin early voting on Friday, with one more starting later in the month.
asserted
one → begin → month
Virginia, South Dakota, and Minnesota allow voters to begin casting ballots for the 2026 midterm elections on Sept. 18.
asserted
voters → allow → Sept.
Meanwhile, early voting in Illinois begins 40 days ahead of the election, on Sept. 24.
asserted
voting → begin → Sept.
Of the states with early voting in September, Virginia has sparked the most national interest in House races.
asserted
Virginia → spark → races
Democrats could pick up two seats in the 1st and 2nd congressional districts.
uncertain
Democrats → pick → districts
While the 1st District is still leaning Republican, analysis from InsideElections has labeled the 2nd District a toss-up.
asserted
analysis → lean → District
Incumbent Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), who is running for reelection in the 2nd District, is neck and neck in her rematch with Democratic challenger Elaine Luria.
asserted
who → run → Luria
Minnesota offers in-person absentee voting and early voting beginning on Oct. 16.
asserted
Minnesota → offer → Oct.
For in-person absentees, ballots are counted at a later date and require the voter to complete an application form before casting their ballot.
asserted
ballots → count → ballot
Here are some dates to know for affected states:
asserted
dates → know → states
Virginia
- Deadline to register to vote/update registration: Oct. 23
- Early in-person voting: Sept. 18 through Oct. 31
- Deadline to apply for ballot to be mailed: Oct. 23
South Dakota
- General election date: Nov. 3
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 19
- Absentee voting begins: Sept. 18
South Dakota uses “in-person absentee voting” instead of early voting.
Minnesota
- Ballots available for in-person voting: Sept. 18
- Start of early voting: Oct. 16
- Last day to vote early in person: Nov. 2
Illinois
- Early voting: Sept. 24 through Nov. 2
- Deadline to register: Illinois offers a grace period to register based on county.
- General election: Nov. 3
asserted
Illinois → register → county
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