According to preliminary records from the secretary of state's office, 7.4 million Texans voted early in the 2026 midterm election. That is about 39% of registered voters, a record for early voting that the report says nearly matches the 2018 midterm mark. More than 19 million Texans are registered to vote, up 2.2% from the November 2024 presidential election.
Rice University political science professor Mark Jones said the turnout is high but is not expected to reach presidential levels. He said it is unclear how many votes remain to be counted. The data is not final, and each county reports its own turnout at different times. Mail-in ballots are also still expected to arrive.
Democratic strategist Matt Angle said the late rise in voting likely means more Hispanic and Black Texans are voting. He said the trend does not mean either party will win or lose. Preliminary reports also show rising turnout in urban areas and in the state's most populous counties, including Harris, Dallas and Tarrant. Election Day is Tuesday.