Early Voting Ends in Travis County With a Surge: Nearly 49,400 Voters Turn Out on Final Day
Friday’s turnout came close to matching opening day, pushing the early vote past 447,000, or 47.2% of registered voters
Travis County voters made a late push on the final day of early voting, with nearly 49,400 people casting ballots Friday and lifting the 12-day total to more than 447,000, according to unofficial figures from the Travis County Clerk’s Elections Division.
Friday’s total of 49,398 voters, counting in-person and mail ballots, was the second-highest single-day figure of the early voting period. Only opening day on Monday, Oct. 19, was higher, at 49,987. Friday’s turnout represented about 5.21% of the county’s 948,575 registered voters.
Across the full period, which ran from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30, 447,689 voters took part in early voting. That is 47.20% of registered voters in the county, ahead of the Nov. 3 Joint General and Special Elections.
A big jump on the last day
Friday’s total was a sharp increase over Thursday, when 37,932 voters turned out. That is a gain of roughly 11,500 voters, or about 30%, in a single day.
Of Friday’s total, 47,716 voters cast ballots in person at early voting locations. Another 612 mail ballots were received, and 1,070 limited ballots were cast. Limited ballots, which have grown steadily through the period, rose from just 40 on opening day to more than 1,000 on the final day. They account for 3,484 ballots over the 12 days.
Busiest locations
Five locations drew more than 1,500 voters each on Friday:
| Location | Friday voters |
|---|---|
| PfISD Rock Gym | 1,820 |
| Bee Cave City Hall | 1,785 |
| Ben Hur Shrine Center | 1,780 |
| Typhoon Texas Waterpark | 1,569 |
| Austin Energy Headquarters | 1,536 |
Several other sites came close, including Austin Oaks Church (1,401), Bedichek Middle School (1,391), Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex (1,379) and the Lakeway Activity Center (1,375).
The Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex saw one of the most dramatic jumps, nearly doubling from 676 voters Thursday to 1,379 on Friday.
At the other end of the scale, the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility recorded 4,718 voters over the 12 days, the lowest total among locations that were open for the full period. The Travis County Correctional Complex, which appeared in the data only on Friday, reported 279 voters.
How the 12 days unfolded
Turnout followed a distinct pattern.
After the strong opening day, daily totals eased through the first week, falling to 40,968 on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and 38,972 on Thursday, Oct. 22. The first weekend was quieter: 25,450 voters on Saturday, Oct. 24, and 18,733 on Sunday, Oct. 25, the lowest single-day total of the period.
The second week saw a steady climb, from 34,298 on Monday, Oct. 26, to 34,484 on Tuesday, 35,355 on Wednesday and 37,932 on Thursday, before Friday’s surge.
Overall, the first seven days (Oct. 19–25) accounted for about 256,000 ballots, and the final five days (Oct. 26–30) for about 191,000.
By category, in-person voting at early voting locations made up the vast majority of the total at 427,412 voters. Mail ballots received during the period totaled 16,793.
What’s next
Early voting is now closed. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters who did not cast an early ballot can vote on Election Day, and Travis County voters can confirm election day details, including polling locations, through the Travis County Clerk’s Elections Division.
FINAL NUMBERS
Note: All figures are unofficial and come from the Travis County Clerk’s Elections Division report, “Unofficial Early Voting In Person and By Mail Totals,” for the Nov. 3, 2026 Joint General and Special Elections. Numbers are subject to change as counts are finalized. Percentages of registered voters are based on the county’s 948,575 registered voters as listed in the report.
Nearly Half of Williamson County Voters Cast Ballots Early, Final Day Surges
Unofficial figures show more than 234,000 ballots cast over 12 days of early voting ahead of Nov. 3
Almost half of Williamson County’s registered voters have already cast ballots in the Nov. 3 Joint General and Special Election, according to unofficial early voting totals released by Wilco Elections.
Across the 12 days of early voting, which ran Oct. 19 through Oct. 30, the county recorded 234,299 voters, or 49.68% of its 471,602 registered voters.
Final Day Turnout Jumps
Yesterday, the last day of early voting, drew 25,010 voters, the second-busiest day of the period. That was up from 17,139 on Thursday, an increase of roughly 46%.
Friday’s total included:
- 24,326 in-person early voters
- 239 limited ballots
- 175 provisional ballots
- 270 mail ballots received
Friday alone accounted for 5.30% of registered voters.
Strong Start, Weekend Dip
Only the opening day of early voting, Monday, Oct. 19, was busier than the final day. It drew 29,006 voters, including 3,232 mail ballots received that day.
Turnout then eased through the first week and fell sharply over the weekend, with 13,301 voters on Saturday, Oct. 24, and 8,569 on Sunday, Oct. 25, the slowest day of the period. The first seven days totaled 142,989 voters, compared with 91,310 over the final five days.
Twelve-Day Totals
Busiest Polling Locations
The Wilco Jester Annex was the busiest early voting site both on the final day and across the full period.
Top locations on Oct. 30
- Wilco Jester Annex: 2,386
- Brushy Creek Community Center: 1,725
- Hutto City Hall: 1,672
- Liberty Hill ISD Gym Annex: 1,610
- Cedar Park Recreation Center: 1,544
Top locations over the 12 days
Busiest locations over the full period
- Wilco Jester Annex: 22,897
- Brushy Creek Community Center: 15,656
- Cedar Park Recreation Center: 15,202
- Hutto City Hall: 15,160
- Leander Senior Activity Center: 14,439
What Comes Next
Early voting has ended, but voting is not over. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Voters who did not cast a ballot early can do so at their assigned polling places. Voters should confirm hours, locations and requirements through Wilco Elections or the Williamson County elections website.
The figures above are unofficial and may change as the county finalizes its counts.
FINAL NUMBERS
Source: Wilco Elections, “Unofficial Early Voting In-Person and By Mail Totals,” Nov. 3, 2026 Joint General & Special Election.
Texans Shatter Early Voting Expectations as 2026 Midterm Period Closes
More than 6.8 million ballots cast, easily topping 2022’s early vote total
Early voting for the 2026 midterm elections ended Friday, October 30, with a surge in participation compared to previous midterm cycles. More than 6.8 million Texans cast ballots during the two-week early voting period.
Statewide Turnout
Early voting accounted for roughly 34% to 35% of the state’s total registered voters, a pace that comfortably surpasses the total early vote from the 2022 midterm election, which stood at about 5.5 million ballots.
The vast majority of early voters showed up in person, with more than 6.6 million ballots cast at early voting locations. Between 250,000 and 270,000 ballots were submitted by mail.
Big Counties Lead the Way
Turnout was especially strong in the state’s largest metropolitan centers and surrounding suburbs.
- Harris County led the state, with early turnout approaching 950,000 to 1 million votes.
- Dallas and Tarrant counties each logged more than 500,000 early voters.
- Bexar County recorded more than 450,000 early votes, while Travis County topped 390,000.
- Collin and Denton counties, two of the state’s key suburban hubs, each cleared between 250,000 and 300,000 votes.
- In South Texas, Hidalgo County reported more than 150,000 early votes.
What the Data Doesn’t Show
Texas voters do not register by political party. As a result, official state early voting reports show how many people voted and by what method, but they do not include a party breakdown of general election early voters. Any claims about which party benefited most from the early surge should be treated with caution until results are counted.
Official Totals Still to Come
Counties are still processing and finalizing late mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day, so final official totals will continue to be updated by state and local election authorities.
Voters and observers can verify numbers through the following sources:
- Texas Secretary of State: Official statewide early voting reports and election tallies are maintained by the Texas Secretary of State Elections Division.
- County elections offices: Detailed precinct-level turnout totals are available from individual county elections administrators, such as the Harris County Clerk, the Dallas County Elections Department, or Tarrant County Elections.
Figures reflect early voting data available as of the close of early voting on October 30, 2026, and may change as counties finalize their counts.
Austin ISD trustees voted Thursday night to change attendance boundaries for Linder Elementary School and to establish an attendance area for Marshall Middle School, moves the district said are aimed at easing overcrowding and giving families a designated neighborhood middle school.
Some Austinites have pinned hopes of avoiding an Austin ISD state takeover on Rep. Gina Hinojosa winning the governor’s race. But could she stop intervention? (Austin American-Statesman)
A reminder for Austin ISD students and parents:
Elgin ISD Superintendent Christopher Bailey faces a DWI charge after being arrested by Manor police Thursday morning.
McCallum High School was briefly placed on “Secure” and dismissal of students was delayed Friday evening after a nearby altercation, Austin Independent School District said.
The Austin Police (APD) Commercial Burglary Unit is requesting the public’s assistance with identifying a suspect connected to a series of burglaries from the time span of March 2026 to October 2026. (Austin Police Department)
The Austin Police Robbery Unit is requesting the community’s assistance with identifying a suspect involved in a robbery that occurred at 4001 South Lamar Boulevard at about 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, October 10. (Austin Police Department)
A 20-year-old man is in custody after police say he stabbed two people Wednesday night at the Buzz Mill, a coffee bar in Austin’s East Riverside area.
Witness testimony continued Friday in the capital murder trial of Shane James Jr., who is accused of a December 2023 shooting spree that left six people dead in San Antonio and Austin.
ICE activity was reported Friday in the Dessau and Rundberg Lane area.
PODCAST
KXAN Investigators witnessed federal immigration enforcement activity at a secluded parking lot in northeast Austin, where officers handcuffed and shackled at least one man before placing him on what appeared to be an ICE transport bus.
The activist group behind an apparent data breach at the Department of Homeland Security appears to have targeted officials connected to the department’s immigration and border enforcement operations.
🎃 DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ADVISORY (Sat, Oct. 31) 🏈
Expect heavy crowds and major delays downtown as Halloween night coincides with UT’s 6:30 PM home game vs. Mississippi State. An estimated 100,000 people are expected across E. 6th, W. 6th, and Rainey Street.
What you need to know: 🚧 Street closures & fencing in key entertainment zones
👮♂️ Extra police, fire, and EMS personnel deployed
🚗 Heavy traffic expected; APD coordinating with rideshare & AV companies
📍 Multi-agency unified command active all weekend
City of Austin prepares for Dia de los Muertos festival
Sunday’s event is from 1-6 pm at 600 River Street
Why are there so many Waymos in Austin?
As it turns out, Texas law governing autonomous vehicles (AVs) supersedes city authority and prevents any local government from regulating AVs, creating areas that have become increasingly attractive to AV companies. Miles Bloxson joins Your City Could Better to talk about if this loose regulation is good for Texas, particularly its dense capital city, whether local benefit is a priority for manufacturers at all, and how other U.S. cities can learn from Austin if a similar influx hits their streets.
The city is using the fish with a new strategy to help control an aggressive aquatic plant that’s created problems for boaters and marina operators along Lady Bird Lake.
Officials in Burnet County have lifted their burn ban.
Travis County’s burn ban remains in effect.
The Travis County Commissioners Court extended the outdoor burning ban for unincorporated areas through November 27, due to ongoing dry conditions and elevated wildfire risks.
WEATHER
FRIDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
FRIDAY’S PRECIPIATTION TOTALS
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
For decades, the phrase “Blue Texas” was treated as a political pipe dream—a recurring siren song for Democrats that routinely dissolved on Election Night beneath a sea of deep-red conservative margins.
Now, on the eve of Tuesday’s pivotal midterm elections, what was once deemed unthinkable inside state political circles has shifted into a knife-edge reality. (Texas Tribune)
We are in the final hours before the midterm elections. And the leading candidates for Texas Governor, Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Gina Hinojosa, are crisscrossing the state with their final pitch to voters.
(Episode from October 30, 2026)
Democratic candidate for governor, Gina Hinojosa, makes her closing pitch to voters. And in the last days before election day — it’s prime time for campaign text messaging.
(Episode from October 30, 2026)
SPORTS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The No. 11 Texas Longhorns return to Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium tonight to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM CT on ESPN. Led by quarterback Arch Manning, the Longhorns (5-2) aim to capture a key SEC victory on home turf before embarking on a tough road stretch to close out the regular season. (Texas Longhorns)
TEXAS A&M / TEXAS TECH / TEXAS STATE / HOUSTON
Only the Red Raiders and Bobcats see action today as Texas A&M and Houston have a bye.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Under the lights last night (except for a power outage at Cedar Ridge), here are your Austin-area high school football final scores:
Class 6A & 5A Central Texas
| Matchup | Final Score |
| Westlake vs. Cedar Ridge | 38 – 17 |
| Lake Travis vs. Round Rock | 31 – 14 |
| Johnson vs. Austin High | 42 – 6 |
| Cedar Park vs. Vista Ridge | 34 – 21 |
| Lago Vista vs. Giddings | 31 – 21 |
| Lampasas vs. Marble Falls | 28 – 7 |
| Stephenville vs. Burnet | 51 – 14 |
| Fredericksburg vs. Taylor | 27 – 21 |
| Jarrell vs. China Spring | 36 – 7 |
| Granger vs. Bruceville-Eddy | 42 – 0 |
Private & Area Schools
| Matchup | Final Score |
| Summit Christian Academy vs. Hill Country Knights | 25 – 6 |
| Allen Academy vs. Austin Classical | 68 – 24 |
| Bracken Christian vs. San Marcos Academy | 52 – 0 |
MLS: Austin FC hits the West Coast for the team’s final away trip of the regular season on Saturday, with the Verde & Black set to face LA Galaxy. The match is set for a 4:00 p.m. CT/2:00 p.m. PT kickoff at Dignity Health Sports Park. (Austin FC)
NBA: Kyrie Irving scored 35 points, Cooper Flagg added 33 and the Dallas Mavericks rallied for a 116-111 victory over Houston, handing the Rockets their first loss of the season in an NBA Cup opener Friday night.
Irving scored 26 of his points in the second half, including a jumper that put Dallas ahead for good at 102-100 and set up a tense final two minutes. Houston’s loss left idle Memphis (5-0) as the only remaining unbeaten team in the league. (Associated Press via MSN)
ON THE SCHEDULE
The Mavericks have tonight off while the Rockets are back on the court hosting Oklahoma City.
NHL: The Dallas Stars look to rebound from their loss to Montreal Thursday at home tonight against Minnesota.
HALLOWEEN 1988 ON 6TH STREET – a look at what it was like to be there.
