Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York launch in-person early voting

Florida, Michigan, New York and New Jersey all begin in-person early voting on Saturday as the nation begins heading to the polls for the 2024 election. Here’s what you need to know.

Michigan is one of the most competitive states this cycle

Michigan shocked the country in 2016 when it supported former President Trump by 0.23 points, or just 10,704 votes.

Since then, the state has delivered for Democrats, with a nearly three-point victory for President Biden, the election and re-election of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and, in the last term, a trifecta of state government.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS ELECTION 2024 POWER RANKINGS

Even so, this will be a competitive race. Recent high-quality polls have it within the margin of error.

Democrats are doing well in the southeastern part of the state, and Biden was able to win in 2020 by turning out black voters and winning in metro Detroit. Flipping Kent County, home to Grand Rapids and a representative mix of urban, suburban and rural voters, was also crucial to his victory. Trump will have to take it back for a statewide win in 2024.

Michigan’s population has grown 2 percent over the past decade, with growth concentrated in the Grand Rapids area. Since then, the state has seen a decline, especially in Detroit.

The Great Lake State will also vote for a new senator after Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow decided not to run for re-election this year. House Rep. Elissa Slotkin hopes to keep the seat in Democratic hands and has an advantage in this competitive race. She faces GOP nominee and former Rep. Mike Rogers.

both presidential and the Senate races are ranked Lean D in the Fox News Power Rankings.

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Key back-vote races in today’s early voting states

Voting also begins Saturday in several battleground districts. For a full list of competitive races, see the latest Senate and House rankings.

• Michigan’s 7th District: Slotkin is leaving this south-central Michigan district, which he flipped by a 5.4-point margin in the midterms. This year, it’s a battle between two former state senators — Democrat Curtis Hertel and Republican Tom Barrett. This race is a toss-up on Fox News Power Rankings.
• Michigan’s 8th District: Next to it, sector 8 is also without a holder. Rep. Dan Kildee is retiring after 12 years in the House, making it a race between Democratic state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Republican businessman Paul Junge. The seat includes Flint and the Tri-Cities area, so winning the working class vote will be critical. It is also a toss up on Power ranking.
• Michigan’s 10th District: Incumbent Republican Rep. John James has the edge in District 10. He faces Democrat and former judge and prosecutor Carl Marlinga. The district includes southern Macomb County and Rochester. Holding onto the vote from the outer suburbs will be critical to a GOP victory. This is one Lean R race.
• New Jersey’s 7th District: New Jersey’s 7th District is the only competitive House race on the state map. The district includes Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club and a number of affluent suburban areas. He became more Republican in the last round of redistricting. Freshman Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is the incumbent. He faces local Democrat and political organizer Sue Altman. He was ranked last Lean R.
• New York’s 1st District: Occupying the eastern side of Long Island, New York’s 1st District is one of the most politically diverse in the region. It includes the ultra-wealthy suburbs of the Hamptons and the farming communities of Suffolk County. Republican Nick LaLota, who replaced Rep. Lee Zeldin in 2023, is the incumbent against former CNN anchor and Democrat John Avlon. This race is ranked Lean R.
• New York’s 4th District: Closer to New York City, Nassau County’s ultra-competitive 4th District includes Long Beach, Garden City and Uniondale, where former President Trump held a rally last month. Acting Representative Anthony D’Esposito spoke at that event. He is facing local Democratic town supervisor Laura Gillen. It is ranked Throw on the rankings.

• New York’s 17th District: This district in the Hudson Valley offers one of the most famous races of the cycle. That race was decided by less than 2,000 votes in the midterms, when voters elected moderate Republican Rep. Mike Lawler. This year, he will face the seat’s former incumbent, Democratic Rep. Mondaire Jones. It’s different Throw.
• New York’s 18th District: In the middle of the Hudson Valley and the Catskills, District 18 is represented by another well-known moderate congressman, Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan. And like its neighbor, this race was tight in the middle. In the end, it was settled by less than 5,000 votes. Rep. GOP Alison Esposito is the Republican candidate here. She served in the New York Police Department for 25 years before announcing her escape. It is a Lean D district.
• New York’s 19th District: The third Hudson Valley battleground with a moderate incumbent, the 19th District includes the Catskills and Finger Lakes. Rep. GOP Marc Molinaro flipped the seat in the midterms by a margin of about 5,000 votes. This year, he faces Democratic attorney Josh Riley. This race is a Throw.
• New York’s 22nd District: Further upstate in Syracuse and Utica, first-term midterm GOP Rep. Brandon Williams is threatened by redistricting. He faces Democratic challenger and state Sen. John Mannion in a close race Lean D on Power Rankings.

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How to vote in Florida

This is a guide to registration and early voting. For complete and up-to-date information on voter eligibility, processes and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the electoral website for Florida.

Voting by mail

Florida began absentee voting in late September. Applicants do not need to provide an excuse to receive a ballot. The state must receive a ballot application by Oct. 24, and that ballot must be delivered to state officials by Nov. 5.

Early voting in person

Start dates for in-person early voting vary by county in Florida, but the oldest counties started on Saturday. Check state website for more information.

Voter registration

The deadline for Florida residents to register to vote was Oct. 7.

How to vote in Michigan

This is a guide to registration and early voting. For complete and up-to-date information on voter eligibility, processes and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the electoral website for Michigan.

Voting by mail

Michigan began absentee voting in late September. Applicants do not need to provide an excuse to receive a ballot. The state must receive a ballot application by Nov. 1, and that ballot must be turned in to state officials by Nov. 5.

Early voting in person

Start dates for in-person early voting vary by county in Michigan, but the earliest counties began Saturday. Check state website for more information.

Voter registration

The deadline for Michigan residents to register to vote online or by mail was Oct. 21. They can register in person at any time during early voting or on election day.

How to vote in New York

This is a guide to registration and early voting. For complete and up-to-date information on voter eligibility, processes and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the electoral website for New York.

Voting by mail

New York began absentee voting in late September. Applicants do not need to provide an excuse to receive a ballot. The state must receive a ballot application by Oct. 26, and that ballot must be turned in to state officials by Nov. 5.

Early voting in person

New York began in-person early voting on Saturday and will continue through November 3.

Voter registration

New Yorkers can register to vote online, in person or by mail through October 26.

How to vote in New Jersey

This is a guide to registration and early voting. For complete and up-to-date information on voter eligibility, processes and deadlines, please visit Vote.gov and the electoral website for New Jersey.

Voting by mail

New Jersey began absentee voting in late September. Applicants do not need to provide an excuse to receive a ballot. The state must receive a ballot application by Oct. 29, and that ballot must be delivered to state officials by Nov. 5.

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Early voting in person

New Jersey began in-person early voting on Saturday and will continue through Nov. 3.

Voter registration

New Jersey residents were required to register to vote by October 15.