Early voting for the midterm elections began October 24, and polling stations are set up all around North Texas. But so far, voter turnout is lower than many expected.
As of October 28, 2.2 million people across Texas have cast their vote and around half a million voters are DFW residents. WFAA reported that Dallas County received 162,577 votes, Tarrant County received 157,461, Collin County received 102,038 and Denton County received 89,866 early votes. But at this point, those numbers are down compared to previous elections.
Many of the counties surrounding Dallas have fewer people voting this year. Tarrant County has seen a 20% drop in voters compared to 2018 and Dallas County’s numbers have plummeted 33%. So far, Texas is estimated to have a 36% voter turnout, compared to 53% in 2018.
“Low voter turnout isn’t bad for Democrats or Republicans. It’s bad for democracy as a whole,” Executive Director of the Texas Democrat Party Jamarr Brown said. “It’s about meeting people in their communities where they are, encouraging them to go vote and directing them of how to vote when they show up and get there.”
It is too late to register to vote, but for those who have already registered – Local Profile previously shared a Collin County voter guide to update residents on who is running and what will be on the ballot.
“If you want a change on whatever issue impacts you, you do need to show up and vote and you need to make a plan and actually go do it,” Brown said. “I feel good about our prospects. I think this is going to be one of the closest elections in our generation.”
Early voting continues through Friday, November 4 and Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, so there is still time to get those votes up. To find the complete list of places to vote early click here. To learn more about the election and voting visit the Collin County Voter Guide.