Hope for Both Parties in Early Voting Numbers

Through the first two days of early voting, a record 83,462 Republicans voted early in person or by mail in the state’s 15 most populous counties. An additional 71,006 Democrats voted early, which is well behind the record pace of 2008 but substantially ahead of the primaries since. Combined, less than 2% of eligible voters have cast ballots in the primary through two days.

Republican Turnout Through Two Days Is …

Democratic Turnout Through Two Days Is …

Record Republican turnout has been reported by nine of the 15 most populous counties (Collin, Denton, Harris, Hidalgo, Montgomery, Nueces, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson Cos.) through the first two days.

Several counties have reported turnout figures for today.

In Tarrant Co., Republican turnout continues to be at record levels. Through three days, 17,767 have voted in person or by mail. This is 23% higher than through three days in 2014, 67% above 2012, 114% above 2010 and 123% above 2008. In-person turnout is highest in HD98 (2,073 voters), HD92 (1,998), HD99 (1,828) and HD94 (1,657). Democratic turnout is 42% behind the record-setting 2008, but more people have voted early in person and by mail in three days than during the first three days of the 2012 and 2014 primaries combined.

Harris Co. Republican turnout also continues to be at record levels. Through three days, 25,954 have voted in person or by mail. This is 25% higher then through three days in 2014, 20% above 2012, 55% above 2010 and 115% above 2008. About 10K fewer Democrats have voted through three days than through the first three days of 2008, but more people have voted early in person and by mail in three days than during the first three days of the 2012 and 2014 primaries combined.

In Travis Co., Republican turnout continues to be at record levels, running about 57% ahead of the 2014 three-day total and 43% ahead of 2012. Democratic turnout is 36% behind the 2008 record pace but more than the last two primaries combined. Of note, the polling station on the University of Texas campus has reported 1,512 Democratic and 223 Republican voters have cast ballots in person.

Montgomery Co. Republican turnout (8,169 voters) in person and by mail remains on a record pace while Democratic turnout (981) is nearly equal to the last three primaries combined. In Williamson Co., about 2,000 more Republicans have voted in person or by mail than in 2012 and 3,000 more than in 2010 or 2014. Democratic turnout is nearly equal to the last three primaries combined but still behind the record 2008 pace.

Hidalgo Co. Republican turnout (1,766 voters) in person and by mail remains on a record pace while Democratic turnout (12,996) is just barely ahead of 2012 and 17% behind 2008.

While no longer among the Top 15, Cameron Co. Republicans are voting early at a record pace while Democrats are just behind 2008. If Cameron Co.’s web site shows only in-person votes (and we believe it does), then Democratic turnout may also be at a record pace through three days.

Early voting continues through February 26.