Early voting is surging in several key battleground states, giving Democrats hope that their strength in midterm polling could translate into a turnout advantage in November.

In North Carolina, more than 1.2 million early ballots have been accepted, a 37 percent increase from the same point leading up to the 2022 midterms, according to an analysis released Friday by Catawba College political scientist Michael Bitzer.

That growth — which includes both in-person and mail-in ballots — has been driven by a 47 percent increase among registered Democrats and a 60 percent increase in participation among unaffiliated voters. Early voting among Republicans is up 2.6 percent.

Similar patterns are emerging elsewhere, with high turnout especially pronounced in historically Republican-leaning states with competitive Senate races this cycle.