Midterm Turnout Varies as Voters Decide ID Rules

Turnout varied across counties during the 2026 midterms, with several areas reporting active voting and generally smooth operations. Idaho recorded 644,000 votes, exceeding its 2022 total; Eau Claire County turnout was 56.7%, nearly unchanged from 2022, and Colquitt County reported 46.72%. Orange County turnout topped 50% and was ahead of 2022, while Adams County, Mississippi, recorded 9,771 ballots, or 57.14% of registered voters; Pennsylvania’s Warren County exceeded primary-election turnout, and Lafayette Parish and Fremont County also reported turnout figures during Election Day. Oregon statewide ballot returns stood at 48.3%, with Wallowa County leading and Morrow and Umatilla among the lowest; voters also considered local measures, including fire-district funding. Voters in Ohio, North Carolina, Nevada and other states approved stricter voter-identification and citizenship rules, while California and Colorado rejected new ID requirements; officials said counting and certification would continue after Election Day as provisional, military and damaged ballots were processed.