Dem
51
GOP
49
Despite enormous attempts by Republicans to suppress the Democratic vote, since 2000, it has become easier, on the whole, to vote in much of the country. The big winner is the expansion of the number of states that have multi-day voting instead of the old-fashioned Election-Day-only voting. It has gone from 24 states in 2000 to 46 states in 2024. This year, 97% of all voting-age citizens will have one or more options for voting prior to Election Day.
These maps show the situation in 2000 and also in 2024.
The details vary enormously by state. In 36 states plus D.C. there are multiple days of in-person early voting and absentee ballots for anyone who asks for one. At the other extreme, in four states (Alabama, Delaware, Mississippi and New Hampshire) there is no early in-person voting and absentee ballots are only provided if the voter has a valid reason for not voting in person on Election Day. Reasons vary by state, but typically, inability to get to the polling place is one and being out of state for some valid reason on Election Day is another. (V)