Over 58.7 million of Americans have voted during the early polls ahead of the presidential elections so far, but the unprecedented increase in the number of mail-in ballots has given rise to the possibility that the vote-counting may stretch beyond November 3, PTI reported quoting local media.

This year’s early polling has surpassed all early ballots number recorded during the 2016 elections. A CNN report, quoted by PTI, states that according to a survey of election officials in all 50 states and Washington DC conducted by the US-based network, more than 58.7 million Americans have voted so far in the election, with still 9 days left for November 3.

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The report further states that 56.3 million pre-election ballots were cast in 2016, which included ballots in the three vote-by-mail states. That early vote accounted for about 42% of all ballots cast in the presidential elections where Trump won.

“Pre-election voting for the November election has surpassed all 2016 early ballots cast with 9 days left until Election Day,” the report said, as quoted by PTI.

“Pre-Election Day voting is skyrocketing nationwide amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and states are reporting record-breaking turnout as voters are energised to vote by mail or early in person before November,” it added.

However, another CNN report noted it is possible that who among Joe Biden and Donald Trump will win at the White House may not be known on the election night.

“Election night can be synonymous with unpredictability – just look at 2016 – but this year might be even murkier than usual. The pandemic has changed the way millions of Americans vote for president,” the report said.

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While voters have already cast an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots, in many locations, including potential battleground states, the mail-in ballots will not be counted until after the election, “potentially leading to long delays in the news media’s ability to call the election on election night,” it said.