Voters across Texas cast ballots in high numbers on the first day of early voting Monday, with several large counties reporting record or near-record turnout for a midterm election.
In Dallas County, more than 76,000 people voted, according to County Judge Clay Jenkins. That total is nearly 20,000 higher than the first day of early voting in the 2024 presidential election, when roughly 56,300 ballots were cast. Jenkins shared the final day-one figure of 76,079 on social media Monday night and noted that the number also topped the county’s first-day total from the 2018 midterms.
Down in Houston, Harris County reported a record of at least 104,201 ballots cast by 6 p.m., according to the Harris County Clerk’s Office. That figure surpasses the previous midterm day-one record of about 63,000 set in 2018. Officials said operations ran smoothly across the county’s 75 early voting locations despite long lines at some sites.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Collin County saw 34,522 voters on day one, according to FOX 4. That was higher than the roughly 19,000 who voted on the first day in 2022, though still below the approximately 43,000 recorded on day one in 2024. The county dealt with brief printer issues at about 10 locations in the morning, but officials said the problems were resolved within about 90 minutes and did not significantly disrupt voting. Denton County reported 34,739 in-person early votes on October 19, according to county election data.
Lines of 30 to 45 minutes or longer were common at many polling places in Dallas, Tarrant, and Collin counties, according to FOX 4. In Tarrant County, some voters waited longer, with reports of waits approaching two hours at certain sites. The county is operating 47 early voting locations this cycle after commissioners earlier this year reduced the number of Election Day polling places.
Early voting continues through October 30. Election Day is November 3. Voters can cast ballots at any early voting location in their county of registration.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
American voters of various backgrounds participating in the US election, showcasing the concept of choice in a democracy
multiethnic American voters participating in the US election, showcasing the concept of choice in a democracyGetty Images
