Early In-Person Voting Opens Across US Six Weeks Before Midterm Elections

In-person early voting kicked off Friday, launching the final six-week stretch of the 2022 US midterm election campaign.

With six weeks remaining before Election Day, in-person early voting opened Friday in parts of the United States, marking a concrete new phase in the midterm campaign. Henrico, Virginia was among the first localities where voters could cast ballots in person, as the window for Americans to weigh in on congressional representation began in earnest. Control of both the House and Senate is at stake, with campaign energy expected to intensify now that actual votes can be recorded. Alongside the congressional battle, reporting indicates the campaign has increasingly centered on cost-of-living pressures facing American households, as well as US policy regarding Iran — signals of the issues candidates believe will drive turnout in the closing weeks.

Why it matters

The midterm elections will determine which party controls Congress for the final two years of President Biden's term, shaping the legislative agenda on the economy, foreign policy, and more. The opening of early voting expands ballot access and can significantly influence final turnout figures.

What's next

Campaigning is expected to intensify across competitive districts as more states open early voting in the weeks ahead, with Election Day falling on November 8, 2022.

Key facts

• In-person early voting began Friday, approximately six weeks before Election Day
• Henrico, Virginia was among the first locations where early in-person voting opened
• Both chambers of Congress — the House and Senate — are up for grabs in the midterms
• Cost of living and US policy toward Iran emerged as prominent campaign themes as early voting began
• Early voting availability varies by state, with some states opening access before others

Bias & framing notes

Both sources are truncated, limiting the available detail for full verification. The AP-sourced Newsbreak report focused on the logistical opening of voting and congressional control, while The Guardian framed the story around campaign issue shifts — specifically cost of living and Iran — suggesting a more policy-focused editorial angle. Neither source provided substantial original reporting in the excerpts provided.

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