Texas early vote breaks midterm record with 7.7 million ballots

More than 7.7 million Texans voted early in the 2026 midterm election, preliminary data from the secretary of state’s office show. The turnout rate of 40.5% surpasses the previous modern-day high-water mark set during the 2018 midterm election.

The state’s most populous counties, including Harris, Dallas, and Tarrant, are reporting higher turnout than in previous midterm cycles. Analysts note that these urban cores have more diverse electorates, a demographic shift that political strategists say could influence the final outcome of several high-stakes races.

Election Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. While the early voting surge has exceeded previous benchmarks, officials caution that mail-in ballots continue to arrive and county reporting remains incomplete as of Sunday morning.

Read the full story at texastribune.org.