An ABC News analysis of early voting in Texas found that Democrats are receiving a higher share of votes from less-frequent voters, while more than 5 million Texans had cast early ballots as of Wednesday. The Democratic share of early votes is 51%, compared to 45% for Republicans, a significant shift from 2022.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 28, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Coming up
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Texas midterm elections for Senate, governor and other statewide races (Statewide)12
Who's involved
ABC NewsConducted analysis of early voting data
Gina HinojosaDemocratic gubernatorial candidate
James TalaricoDemocratic U.S. Senate candidate
Ken PaxtonRepublican Attorney General, U.S. Senate candidate
Donald TrumpPresident, held rallies in Texas
L2Voter records firm providing data for analysis
The facts
More than 5 million Texans had cast early ballots as of Oct. 27, representing more than 20% of registered voters.1
As of Oct. 27, early voting in Texas comprised 51% from voters modeled as likely to vote Democratic and 45% Republican.1
As of Monday, 51% of early vote in Texas was from voters modeled as likely Democratic, 45% Republican; in 2022 Democrats were behind Republicans by about 8 percentage points at same point.1
Democrats are receiving a higher share of votes from less-frequent voters compared to 2022, particularly in Texas.1
More than 39 million Americans had voted early as of Oct. 27, according to University of Florida's Election Lab.1
Gina Hinojosa held a rally in Weslaco on Oct. 25 that attracted about 8,000 people as a Democratic gubernatorial candidate.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Gina Hinojosa Trump promised prosperity but it has not happened and inflation has affected voters.2
Diego Ayala Republicans' policies on economy, immigration enforcement, healthcare, and gas prices have not improved conditions for Valley residents.2
Republicans They fear a Democratic blue wave in Nov. 3 midterms as voters punish them over inflation.2
Trump He is holding rallies to increase turnout and said he is the only one who can stave off defeat.2
Where the sources disagree
Early voting total in Texas as of Oct. 27 More than 5 million per [1]; more than 5.1 million per [2]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Democratic enthusiasm seen among less-frequent voters in key states of Texas and Georgia, analysis shows
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa visited KVIA studios in El Paso for a one-on-one interview with anchor Mauricio Casillas less than a week before the midterm election. She discussed border security, immigration, the economy, data center development, affordability, Latino voter support, and what it would take to become the first Democrat elected governor of Texas in more than 30 years.
Republican U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton campaigned in Odessa on Oct. 28, attacking Democratic opponent State Rep. James Talarico and touting an affordability plan featuring expanded tax deductions.
$Paxton promises legislation expanding tax deductions, described as money voters "get to keep"; no tax impact quantified in sources.
Ken Paxton, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Texas Attorney General; James Talarico, Democratic opponent, State Rep. (D-Austin); Elon Musk, Super PAC donor supporting Paxton
KSAT will broadcast live election night coverage on Nov. 3 covering U.S. Senate, Texas congressional districts, gubernatorial race, and Bexar County judge and district attorney races.
Elon Musk replied affirmatively to a post equating children's lives with voting, using an illustration placing the concepts beside the candidates' names. The post came after Paxton announced Texas Children's Hospital opened a detransition clinic following a settlement. Polls show the race between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico remains close.
$$10 million for settlement payment to resolve billing claims for medical interventions
Elon Musk, X user who replied to post about children's lives and voting; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Texas Attorney General; James Talarico, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, state representative and 1 more
Three civil rights organizations sued Texas Secretary of State Robert Howden and Texas Department of Safety Director Freeman F. Martin in federal court, alleging violations of the National Voter Registration Act following delays in processing more than 500,000 voter registration applications.
NAACP, plaintiff; NAACP Texas chapter, plaintiff; League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Texas chapter, plaintiff and 4 more
Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico held separate rallies in Lubbock on Tuesday. Trump appeared at Paxton's rally at the Civic Center. Talarico supporters gathered about four miles away at the Fiesta Center.
Ken Paxton, Republican candidate; James Talarico, Democratic candidate; Donald Trump, appeared at Paxton rally
Tarrant County began early voting on Wednesday, Oct. 28 for elections scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters can choose from more than 40 early voting sites open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday. The ballot includes races for U.S. Senate, Texas Governor, Texas Attorney General, and other state and local offices.
Tarrant County Elections Department, Administering early voting; Dallas Morning News, Providing wait-time tracker and voter guide
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows convened a June summit for Republican House nominees and has spent his first election cycle as speaker deploying millions of dollars to vulnerable GOP members, headlining fundraisers, and campaigning in their districts ahead of the November midterms.
Dustin Burrows, Texas House Speaker; Matt Shaheen, State Rep., R-Plano; Kim Carmichael, Burrows spokesperson