Election Day may be a few weeks away, but in several states, including key battlegrounds, voters are casting their ballot before then through early voting.

       As of Oct. 17, over 8.8 million people have cast their ballot early, according to data from the University of Florida's Election Lab.

       Residents cast shadows as they wait in line to enter a polling site on the first day of early in-person...Show more ---Show more

       Jonathan Drake/Reuters

       Election data has shown that the number of voters who choose to cast their ballot early has steadily risen and for the first time surpassed Election Day voting during the 2020 election.

       MORE: Early voting options grow in popularity, reconfiguring campaigns and voting preparation

       Some states allow voters who are casting an absentee ballot to drop off their paper ballot to an approved location or election office in person prior to Nov. 5.

       When early voting starts in each state

       ABC News Photo Illustration

       Other states and the District of Columbia will have polling sites where voters can cast their ballot on election machines in the weeks leading up to Election Day.

       Here are the dates for early in-person voting.

       When early voting starts in each state

       ABC News Photo Illustration

       Political science experts say early voting helps decrease long lines on Election Day and gives more options to voters.