High early voting turnout sets stage for competitive Texas midterm races

High early voting turnout across Texas is setting the stage for a consequential Election Day, with some of the state’s most competitive races in years heading into their final stretch.

Democratic primary voters have outnumbered Republican primary voters during early voting, while the Dallas-Fort Worth area continues to play a major role in statewide elections, accounting for roughly a third of votes cast in Texas.

Candidates made their final pitches to voters across the state Saturday.

At a rally in Fort Bend County, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico rallied supporters ahead of Election Day.

“No one ever thought that we would get this close, and we understand what the stakes are,” Hinojosa said.

Elon Musk has donated roughly $200 million to Republicans as Democrats seek to make gains in Texas. Hinojosa has also filed a lawsuit seeking the release of emails between Gov. Greg Abbott and Musk.

“It is the fight to decide: Is this going to be a Texas that is by and for the people? Or is this the billionaires’ world and we just live here?” Hinojosa said.

Across the state in Fort Worth, Republican U.S. Senate candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton held a rally Saturday, where he touted his record as the state’s top law enforcement official.

“I’ve taken on the companies putting toxins in our food, targeting our kids with deceptive advertising and putting chemicals in everything from your groceries to your clothing,” Paxton said.

Paxton also promoted his “Protecting the Texas Promise Plan,” which includes proposals for tax breaks tied to new homeowners, medical expenses and healthy living.

“Talk to your friends. Talk to your family. Tell them the difference between the parties,” Paxton told supporters.

Political observers expect Texas could break a midterm turnout record this year, with a strong Election Day showing anticipated in rural counties. Overall turnout could surpass 10 million voters out of roughly 19 million registered voters.

According to data researcher Ross Hunt of Hunt Research, about 54% of voters so far are women. The early vote is about 53% white, 25% Hispanic and 10% Black. Younger voters are also turning out, with about 30% of those who have voted under the age of 45.