How Mail-In Ballot Data Has Changed In PA Since Election Day Began

PENNSYLVANIA — More than 1.8 million mail-in ballots have now been returned in Pennsylvania, according to data released by the Department of State, providing a glimpse into early voter turnout for each party and independent voters.

Of the 1,877,992 mail-in ballots counted as of 2:45 p.m. on Election Day, 1,037,783 are from voters registered as Democrats, 618,205 are from registered Republicans, and 222,004 are from third parties and independents.

See the full ballot report online here.

What this means is less clear. These percentages have changed little since Election Day began, with Democrats and Republicans each gaining less than 100,000 votes in the past four days. Independents have gained about 44,000.

The news, however, remains good for Republicans, who have received a significantly greater percentage of mail-in votes in this election than in the past. The GOP has already outpaced their total mail-in ballots for 2020 (595,570), with tens of thousands likely still uncounted.

Mail-in ballots always generally skew heavily toward Democrats, while Republicans always make gains once in-person balloting is accounted for. And of course, it should also be noted that many voters do not vote in line with their parties; this is only party affiliation data of individuals who cast ballots, not the actual ballots themselves.

For full coverage of the election in Pennsylvania, go here.