Texas early voting opened with first-day midterm turnout records in the state’s five most populous counties, according to reports published after voting began October 19.
Harris, Dallas, Bexar, Tarrant and Travis counties all reported strong starts. The figures show participation, however, rather than which candidates voters supported or whether either party is on course to win statewide.
Texas early voting records across five counties
Spectrum News reported October 21 that all five counties had surpassed previous first-day midterm benchmarks. The records concern the opening day of early voting, not total participation across the entire election.
In Harris County, more than 104,600 people voted on the first day, compared with 63,188 at the start of early voting in the 2018 midterms, according to The New Republic’s October 20 report.
Dallas County recorded 76,079 voters, exceeding its 2018 first-day midterm total of 59,389. The report attributed those figures to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
Bexar County recorded 42,776 first-day voters, while Travis County reported 40,777. Tarrant County recorded 50,149, according to the same report.
Those figures provide a county-by-county snapshot of the opening day. They should not be mistaken for current cumulative totals, which cover additional voting days.
What the records can tell election watchers
A first-day record is a specific comparison: the number voting on that day exceeded the relevant previous opening-day benchmark. It does not establish that final turnout will also set a record.
The comparison also needs to identify the election type. A midterm benchmark and a presidential-election benchmark answer different questions. The five-county claim concerns midterm voting, rather than a claim that every county exceeded every presidential-year opening day.
Raw voter counts and turnout rates are different measures, too. To calculate a registration-based turnout rate, divide the number of voters by the number registered and multiply by 100. A larger count alone does not establish a larger share of registered voters participating.
Strong participation does not identify a winner
The Texas Tribune reported October 20 that record midterm participation was not limited to Democratic-leaning counties. It also identified records in Montgomery, Ellis, Bell and McLennan counties.
Consultants interviewed by the Tribune cautioned against drawing firm conclusions from a single day. Republican consultant Ross Hunt said overall turnout levels do not usually reveal which party will benefit, while both parties still need to mobilize their supporters.
The races include the U.S. Senate contest between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, and the governor’s contest between Democrat Gina Hinojosa and Republican incumbent Greg Abbott.
Those matchups are documented in the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project’s October election research. Turnout reports are a separate kind of evidence from opinion polls or completed election results.
Hourly Times’ earlier coverage of the Texas Senate candidates and debate invitations provides background on the Senate race. That report describes the status of invitations at its publication date.
Early voting continues through October 30
The state’s official polling-place guidance confirms that in-person early voting for the November 3 election runs October 19 through October 30.
Registered, eligible voters may use any early-voting location in their county of residence. Hours vary by location, so voters should check their county’s current schedule before traveling.
Election Day rules differ. Counties participating in the countywide polling-place program allow voters to use any Election Day location within their county. Elsewhere, voters must use their assigned precinct location.
VoteTexas.gov also provides access to registration and polling-location information. Election Day polling hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. statewide.
The state also tells voters to bring an accepted form of photo identification. Its guidance describes an alternative process for voters who do not have, and cannot reasonably obtain, an accepted photo ID, using supporting identification and a signed Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
The opening-day records establish a strong start in these counties. The remaining early-voting period and November 3 voting will determine final participation, while the counted ballots will determine the eventual winners.
