With the first day of early voting in the books, signs points to record-breaking voter turnout in Harris County for 2016 elections.
A total of 67,471 in-person early votes were cast across the county yesterday, shattering the previous record of 47,093 votes on the first day of early voting in 2012. The county received an additional 61,543 ballots by mail for a total of 129,014 votes so far.
Heading into early voting, Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart predicted 800,000 early votes would be cast countywide. A total of 700,216 in-person early votes were cast in 2012.
“Since the 2012 election, nine additional
early voting locations have been added," Stanart said in a statement. "Additionally, the time to
vote during the first week of
early voting has been extended to
6 p.m.”
A total of 41 of the 46 Harris County locations received ballots from more than 1,000 voters yesterday, and four locations received ballots from more than 2,000 voters:
- Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, Houston: 3,158 ballots
- Trini Mendenhall Community Center, Houston: 2,533 ballots
- Juergen's Hall Community Center, Cypress: 2,384 ballots
- Champion Forest Baptist Church, Houston: 2,311 ballots
The number of registered voters in Harris County also increased to roughly 2.22 million this year, up from 1.94 million in 2012. Statewide, more than 15 million Texas residents registered to vote this election, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s office, a record figure and a 5 percent increase from the primaries earlier this year.
Harris County residents can cast early ballots at any of the 46 early voting locations. Learn more about locations and early voting hours
here.
