The Election Starts Now, Not November 3
The campaign is not waiting for November—conservatives shouldn't either.
Election Day is November 3, but only three days separate the end of this year's primary elections and the start of in-person voting in the general midterm election. Delaware closed out its primary season on September 15, and certain states begin early voting today, September 18.
The United States cannot afford to return to the petty impeachments, pointless hearings, and partisan grandstanding that occurred from 2018–2020 when Democrats retook the House of Representatives. It certainly cannot afford to return to the Joe Biden era of 2020–2022, when Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress and favored special interest groups, niche Democratic constituencies, Big Green Energy, and foreigners over the whole country. If Democrats do manage to retake the House and the Senate, they will effectively limit President Donald Trump to executive orders and endlessly harass his administration through goose-chasing investigations.
Early voting offers an important hedge against unforeseen Election Day circumstances, and conservatives must take advantage of it; moreover, they must encourage their friends and family to do the same.
What States Start Voting in September?
Four states begin accepting in-person ballots this weekend, while most of the country remains in the advertising phase of the general election campaign. Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia kick it off, with Vermont opening its early voting the following day on September 19.
Minnesota represents the highest stakes among the early openers. Every seat in the 134-member state House and the 67-member state Senate is up for grabs. The House is tied, with the state’s national Democratic Party affiliate, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, controlling the upper chamber by a single vote. All Republicans have to do is win one seat in each, and they gain a majority. Winning a single seat in just one chamber will deny a likely Democratic governor a working majority.
For the governor's race, it is just as consequential. Plagued by Somali fraud scandals under his watch, Gov. Tim Walz (D) declined to seek reelection. House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R), who defeated MyPillow owner Mike Lindell in the Republican primary, faces Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
In the race for its open U.S. Senate seat, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D), who also has the stench of Somali fraud all over her, faces former sportscaster Michele Tafoya. A recent poll shows Tafoya trailing Flanagan by only two points, within the margin of error. It appears the Walz-Flanagan incompetency offers Republicans a real chance to send a Republican to the Senate for the first time since Norm Coleman beat Walter Mondale in 2002.
South Dakota starts the same day as Minnesota. Gov. Larry Rhoden (R), who took office when his predecessor Kristi Noem joined Trump's Cabinet, faces former state senator Dan Ahlers (D). Notably, South Dakota has not elected a Democratic governor since 1974. Meanwhile, its U.S. Senate seat race is less certain. Sen. Mike Rounds (R) faces Independent Brian Bengs. Despite his centrist rhetoric, Bengs thinks the U.S. Supreme Court was wrong to overturn Roe v. Wade and wants to reinstate it with federal legislation. Democratic-aligned Public Policy Polling recently put Bengs within three points of Rounds. Although it likely downplays Rounds's support, conservative voters cannot take this race for granted.
Virginia is the third kick-off state. The race Republicans can least afford to lose is the 2nd Congressional District rematch between Rep. Jen Kiggans (R) and former Rep. Elaine Luria (D). The Hampton Roads seat, rated a toss-up, is one of the handful of districts that will decide whether the U.S. House stays in Republican hands.
Vermont begins its early voting on Saturday, September 19. Gov. Phil Scott is the most popular governor in the country and a Republican in a state Kamala Harris carried by 32 points. He is seeking a sixth two-year term against economist Amanda Janoo. Holding Montpelier is one of only two Republican governorships up this year in states Harris won. Losing it would eliminate a rare Republican foothold in liberal New England.
Voters can see when early and absentee voting begins and ends in their state on the Voter Reference Foundation’s 2026 calendar here. The first wave of the midterms starts this weekend. Whichever side turns out will decide who controls Congress and several closely divided state governments.
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