Early vote turnout in Texas outpacing past elections, fueled by Democratic primary voters [View all]

More ballots have been cast in Texas through the first seven days of early voting for the 2026 midterms than any recent midterm or presidential election year, driven by high turnout in the Democratic primary.

That turnout is fueling optimism among Texas Democrats, who are once again trying to score their first election victory for a statewide office since 1994.

Through Monday, 665,664 votes were cast in-person and by mail in the Democratic primary, compared to 593,692 cast in the Republican primary, according to unofficial data from the Texas Secretary of State. The 1,259,356 votes is higher than both the 2024 and 2020 primaries through seven days of early voting, despite turnout typically being higher in presidential election years.

“I would tell Democrats that they have every reason to feel optimistic, but that optimism should be interpreted as just meaning that they have a chance,” said Jeffrey Engle, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University. “Anyone who thinks that Democrats have a cakewalk to a blue wave is deluding themselves.”


https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/25/texas-early-voting-turnout-democrats-midterm-election/