Record 7.4 Million Texans Cast Early Ballots, Pushing Midterm Turnout Near 2018 Levels
Preliminary data shows a 39% turnout rate as in-person voting ended Friday, with officials expecting more votes to arrive from mail-in ballots.
By Isabella Melnyk ·
A record 7.4 million Texans cast ballots during the early voting period for the 2026 midterm election, according to preliminary records from the secretary of state’s office. This figure places the current turnout rate at approximately 39%, a level that nearly matches the peak for a midterm cycle set in 2018.
The in-person early voting window closed on Friday. More than 19 million Texans are currently registered to vote, a 2.2% increase compared to the November 2024 presidential election. The final count will rise as mail-in ballots continue to arrive and individual counties submit their reports.
The election includes two high-profile statewide races. U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, a Democrat from Austin, is competing against Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican from McKinney. In the governor’s race, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat from Austin, is challenging incumbent Greg Abbott, who is seeking a fourth term.
Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, noted that while the numbers do not reach presidential election levels, they represent high turnout for a midterm year. He cautioned that interpreting these figures remains difficult because a substantial number of votes are still outstanding.
Democratic strategist Matt Angle suggested that the surge in late early voting indicates higher participation among Black and Hispanic voters. He emphasized that this demographic shift gives Democrats a competitive chance, though he warned against assuming it guarantees a victory for the party. Angle pointed out that urban areas, where Democrats typically perform better, are seeing increased turnout.
The most populous counties in Texas, including Harris, Dallas, and Tarrant, are reporting higher early voting numbers than in previous midterm cycles. Angle observed that these regions host more diverse voters, and while the electorate composition can shift on Election Day, the current trend shows a more diverse group of early voters than usual.
Historical data provides context for the current numbers. During the 2024 general election, Texans cast 9 million early ballots, resulting in a 49% turnout rate. The 2022 midterm saw 5.5 million early votes and a 31% turnout rate. The highest recent turnout occurred in 2020, when 9.7 million people voted, or 57% of registered voters. Election Day is scheduled for Tuesday.
Source: The Texas Tribune
