Turnout during the first week of early voting for the Texas midterm election exceeded the same period for the previous two presidential elections, years that typically see higher voter engagement.
More ballots have been cast in Texas through the first seven days of early voting for the 2026 midterms than any recent midterm or presidential election year, driven by high turnout in the Democratic primary.
That turnout is fueling optimism among Texas Democrats, who are once again trying to score their first election victory for a statewide office since 1994.
Through Monday, 665,664 votes were cast in-person and by mail in the Democratic primary, compared to 593,692 cast in the Republican primary, according to unofficial data from the Texas Secretary of State. The 1,259,356 votes is higher than both the 2024 and 2020 primaries through seven days of early voting, despite turnout typically being higher in presidential election years.
Source: Paul Cobler,
Photo Credit: The line wraps around the sidewalk at the Cinco Ranch Branch Library on Oct. 21, 2024, in Fort Bend County. Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune
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