WASHINGTON -- A record number of Americans have voted ahead of Election Day, driven by soaring turnout from Latino voters. That could be good news for Hillary Clinton.
At least 44.9 million people have cast ballots by early voting -- by mail or at polling stations, according to Associated Press data. Record levels have been reported in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Millions more ballots are still coming in.
The AP estimates that early votes could top 50 million. That comes to nearly 40 per cent of all ballots in a presidential election expected to have high turnout overall due to intense public interest. In 2012, there were 46 million early votes, or 35 per cent.
"Interest in early voting has been unprecedented in many states," said Michael McDonald, a University of Florida professor and expert on voter turnout who is a consultant to AP.
The latest numbers show declines in voting from blacks in North Carolina -- a drop-off after historic levels for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. But higher turnout by Latinos, who often lean Democratic, may be buoying Clinton in Florida. Both are must-win states for Donald Trump.
The Hispanic vote is also surging in Nevada and Colorado, where Democrats are running near or above their successful 2012 pace. Trump could be holding an edge in Ohio and Iowa, but that won't be enough if Latinos drive Clinton to victories in other battleground states.
A look at early voting trends:
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TOP BATTLEGROUNDS: FLORIDA, NORTH CAROLINA
Trump's campaign acknowledges he can't win without Florida and North Carolina.
In Florida, a record 6.4 million early ballots are already in, or more than three-fourths of the expected vote. Democrats are ahead, 39.9 per cent to 38.5 per cent. Democrats had slightly wider margins in 2008 and 2012. Obama narrowly won the state both years.
While the black share of the vote is lower, ballots from Hispanics have nearly doubled to more than 976,000. Roughly one-third of those did not vote in 2012, according to an analysis by Daniel Smith, a University of Florida professor. That could help Clinton. Democrats are seeking to draw in new and sporadic voters to boost overall turnout.
In North Carolina, more than two-thirds of the expected votes have been cast. Democrats lead in ballots submitted, 42 per cent to 32 per cent. Democrats were apparently hampered by fewer polling locations in the first week of early voting. After more locations opened, the party made up ground, but black turnout remains lower by nearly 65,000, or 8.6 per cent.
Republicans are running ahead of their 2012 pace, when Mitt Romney narrowly won the state.
Scott Tranter, co-founder of the Republican data firm Optimus, said the outcome may hinge on unaffiliated voters and ticket-splitters. "It's unclear whether Trump can consolidate 90 per cent of the Republican Party," he said.
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GOOD SIGNS FOR CLINTON
Latinos may be boosting Clinton in the West.
In Nevada, more than three-fourths of the likely vote has been cast. Democrats lead, 42 per cent to 36 per cent.
That pace is largely comparable to 2012, when Obama won by 6 per centage points. Latino and Asian-American turnout are up by double-digits while black participation is down slightly. The white share of the vote is down, from 77 per cent to 75 per cent.
In Colorado, the two parties are virtually tied at 35 per cent. More than 70 per cent of the ballots are in. At this point in 2012, Republicans held an advantage.
Clinton also appears to be holding ground in other states won by Obama, but targeted by Trump.
In Virginia, early voting has surpassed 2012 levels, lifted by higher turnout in Democratic-leaning northern counties. The state does not provide breakdowns by party.
Turnout is also outpacing 2012 levels in Wisconsin, with bigger shares coming from Democratic counties such as Dane and Milwaukee.
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GOOD SIGNS FOR TRUMP
Trump may hold a slight edge in Iowa and Ohio.
In Iowa, Democrats currently lead in early ballots, 41 per cent to 35 per cent. That is a narrower gap than in 2012. Republicans are matching 2012 levels while Democrats are running below. Obama won the state by 5 per centage points.
Ohio does not provide breakdowns by party. But voter modeling for the AP by Catalist, a Democratic analytical firm, shows that black turnout continues to lag 2012 levels. African-Americans make up about 9 per cent of the vote share, compared to 12 per cent in 2012. Ballots from whites have risen.
In Georgia, where early voting has already exceeded 2012 levels, turnout is up across racial groups. But ballots from whites have risen more. In all, blacks made up about 30 per cent of early votes compared to 36 per cent in 2012. White ballots rose from 63 per cent to 66 per cent.
In Utah, Trump may be holding ground despite a challenge from third-party candidate Evan McMullin.
Republicans lead in returned ballots, 49 per cent to 13 per cent for Democrats; no-party voters make up 34 per cent. The Republican share is down from 2012 but has been improving, according to Catalist.
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HOW MUCH WILL LATINOS BOOST CLINTON?
Rising Latino participation could benefit Democrats in two Republican-leaning states.
In Arizona, with more than two-thirds of the expected total votes cast, Republicans lead in balloting, 40 per cent to 34 per cent. That is a narrower gap compared to 2012, when the GOP led by roughly 10 per centage points.
At least 4.5 million votes have been cast in Texas' top 15 counties, up 32 per cent. The state does not provide party breakdowns, but voter modeling by Catalist found sharper rates of increases among Latinos.
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AP's Election Research and Quality Control Group contributed to this report.
