Full Breakdown
Texas Records First-Day Early Voting Turnout in 2026 Midterms
By Drooid · · How we work
Record Early-Voting Surge in Key Counties
On the opening day of early voting, Dallas County processed 76,069 ballots, a 25.6 % increase over its 2020 record. Harris County reported over 104,600 in-person early votes, eclipsing its 2018 high. In the Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs, Collin County logged 34,522 votes and Denton County 34,739, each well above 2022 totals. El Paso County recorded 22,412 votes, the second-highest first-day total for a midterm. Registered-voter rolls also rose: Dallas County up 4.7 %, Harris County up 14.7 % since their respective baselines.
Background and Electoral Stakes
Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in 32 years. The 2026 Senate race pits incumbent Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. The gubernatorial contest features Republican Governor Greg Abbott versus Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa. Early-voting trends are being watched as potential indicators of shifting partisan dynamics in a state that President Donald Trump carried by nearly 14 points in 2024.
Data and Statistics
- Dallas County: 76,069 early votes; registered voters 1,463,708 (up 4.7 %).
- Harris County: >104,600 early votes; registered voters 2,702,952 (up 14.7 %).
- Collin County: 34,522 early votes.
- Denton County: 34,739 early votes.
- El Paso County: 22,412 early votes.
- Early voting runs through October 30, with Election Day on November 3.
Why It Matters
Higher turnout in traditionally Democratic urban counties could narrow margins in the Senate and governor’s races, where polls show Talarico leading Paxton by 2–3 points and Abbott holding a modest edge over Hinojosa. Republican strategists warn that robust suburban participation may be needed to offset Democratic gains in Dallas, Harris and El Paso.
Official Statements & Responses
Collin County election officials confirmed brief ballot-printer glitches at roughly ten sites, resolved within 90 minutes and not materially affecting voting.
Criticism & Opposition
Former Texas GOP national committee member Denise McNamara dismissed the partisan swing analysis as “crazy,” arguing the turnout resembles a presidential-year level.
On-the-Ground Reports
Voters in Dallas, Tarrant and Collin counties reported wait times of 30–45 minutes, with some locations in Tarrant approaching two hours. Printer failures in Collin County briefly halted service at ten early-voting sites before restoration.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Dallas County’s day-one total appears as 76,079 in one outlet and 76,069 in another, a minor discrepancy not yet clarified by the county elections department. Final statewide early-voting totals remain pending, leaving the full impact on upcoming races uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
What’s Next
Early voting continues through October 30. The November 3 election will determine whether the surge translates into Democratic gains in the Senate and governor’s races, or if Republican outreach in rural and suburban areas can maintain the party’s historic dominance.