Texas Early Voting Sees Strong Turnout Ahead of November Midterms

Early voting is underway across Texas ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections, with several counties reporting record first-day participation compared with previous midterm cycles.

The high turnout comes as voters prepare to decide competitive races for the U.S. Senate, governor, and other offices that could influence state and national policy. With more than 19 million registered voters statewide, election officials are encouraging residents to review their ballots, confirm polling information, and make a plan to vote.

Early Voting Draws Large Crowds Across Texas

Early voting began on October 19 and continues through October 30. Several North Texas counties, including Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, and Collin, reported more ballots cast on the first day than during the opening day of the 2022 midterm election.

Dallas County recorded more than 76,000 first-day voters, while Tarrant County reported more than 50,000. Collin and Denton counties also recorded substantial increases compared with the first day of early voting in 2022.

Other parts of the state saw similar activity. Harris County in the Houston area recorded more than 104,000 in-person voters on the first day, setting a county record for a midterm election. The county reported another record for the second day.

These figures point to strong early participation in several major population centers. However, they do not establish a final statewide turnout record, as voting continues and reporting figures remain subject to updates.

Texas Reaches a Record Number of Registered Voters

The Texas Secretary of State announced on October 16 that the state had 19,041,684 registered voters, a record high.

That total represents a 2% increase from the March 2026 primary election and a 2.2% increase from the November 2024 general election.

The growing electorate adds to the significance of the upcoming election, but registration totals and ballots cast measure different things. Actual turnout will become clearer as early voting concludes and Election Day results are reported.

Some counties have also experienced delays and discrepancies in voter-reporting data. Election officials and news organizations have cautioned that preliminary statewide totals may not fully reflect ballots reported by local jurisdictions at a given moment.

Competitive Races Bring Added Attention

Texas voters face several closely watched contests this November, including the U.S. Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico.

The contest has attracted national attention, with both campaigns working to reach voters across the state. The outcome could have implications for the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a midterm campaign rally in Lubbock on October 27 in support of Republican candidates, including Paxton. The rally is part of broader campaign activity leading up to Election Day.

The governor’s race is also drawing attention. Democratic nominee and state representative Gina Hinojosa has filed a lawsuit seeking access to unredacted communications between Governor Greg Abbott’s office and Elon Musk. The dispute concerns public records and government transparency and is separate from the administration of early voting.

Together, these contests have made the 2026 election a closely watched political event in Texas. High turnout alone, however, does not indicate which candidate or party will benefit.

What Voters Need to Know Before Heading to the Polls

Texas early voting runs through Friday, October 30, with Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, November 3.

Registered voters can generally vote at any early voting location within the county where they are registered. Hours, locations, and any special arrangements vary by county.

Before visiting a polling location, voters should:

• Check their registration status and confirm their county’s early voting locations.
• Review polling hours, including any extended hours announced by local officials.
• Bring an acceptable form of photo identification or review the state’s procedures for voters who cannot reasonably obtain one.
• Check official election notices for changes, delays, or other location-specific information.

The Texas Secretary of State’s VoteTexas.gov website provides official voting guidance, while county election offices publish local schedules and polling information.

Looking Ahead to Election Day

Strong opening-day participation across several Texas counties suggests substantial voter engagement in this election cycle. Still, the final turnout picture will depend on participation throughout the remaining early voting period and on Election Day itself.

For residents, the most useful step is to rely on official election information and make sure they understand when and where they can vote. As campaigns continue through the final days, confirmed turnout figures and election results will provide a clearer picture of participation across the state.

The key takeaway: Texas has a record number of registered voters, and several counties have recorded unusually high early turnout. Voters should continue checking official election updates as early voting proceeds through October 30 and Election Day approaches on November 3.