Voter turnout in Harris County for the Nov. 3 elections increased significantly compared to previous off-year elections. Unofficial results show more than 420,000 voters participating this year, compared to 260,000 in 2013 and 257,000 in 2009, the last time a Houston mayoral race took place without an incumbent.

Part of this can be attributed to an increase in registered voters, but the percentage of voters participating increased as well. About 20 percent of registered voters came out this year, compared to 13.32 percent in 2013 and 13.68 percent in 2009.

Participation in the Cy-Fair ISD school board elections increased as well. A total of 45,253 voters—or 16.4 percent of registered voters in the district—participated in 2015 races, compared to 23,900 voters, or 9.3 percent, in 2013 races.

New elected trustee Debbie Blackshear attributed the voter turnout to hot-button issues facing the district, such as attendance boundaries and receiving equitable funding from the state.

“There are a growing number of parents paying attention to the district and the trustees who are guiding it,” she said. “One of my goals moving forward is to make sure those parents feel like they’re involved in those discussions.”