Midterms 2018: Early voting by young people up 500% in Texas and Georgia

US midterm battleground states has surged dramatically, the latest data shows, suggesting a potential jump in enthusiasm for Democratic candidates.

America’s early voting system allows voters to cast their ballot early, either via postal voting or at designated polling stations, in a bid to increase participation and relieve congestion on election day.

In Texas, young voter turnout is currently up 508 per cent, while African-American and Hispanic – both traditionally Democratic constituencies – vote rates have more than doubled.

Beto O’Rourke, a Democratic candidate tipped by some as a future presidential candidate.

“Can’t overstate how crazy this level of engagement is for a midterm,” he said on Twitter.

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