About 57% of registered voters in Texas have cast ballots so far in the Nov. 3 general election, according to the latest data from the Texas Secretary of State.

Election officials reported 9,669,246 voters casting ballots in person and by mail through the end of the early voting period on Oct. 30.

That number is expected to increase as mail-in ballots continue to be delivered to elections offices throughout the state. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 if they are returned through the U.S. postal service. Mail-in ballots can also be returned in person to county elections offices.

The number of registered voters who cast ballots early this election has surpassed the total number who voted in Texas in the 2016 presidential election. That election saw 8,969,226 voters casting ballots through early voting and on Election Day, with a turnout of 59.39%, according to the secretary of state's office.



McCulloch County, whose county seat of Brady is billed as the "True Heart of Texas" because of its location near the geographic center of the state, had the highest overall turnout. Data showed 92.5% of its 5,361 registered voters had cast ballots in person and by mail through the end of the early voting period.

Castro County, located west of I-27 between Amarillo and Lubbock, recorded the state's lowest early voter turnout. About 26% of its 3,853 registered voters had cast ballots early as of Oct. 30.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Visit Community Impact Newspaper's 2020 Voter Guide for more information on local and statewide elections.