Updated 9:28 p.m. March 6: Minor changes to this story were done to add clarity. Brazoria and Galveston county early voting turnout mirrors much of the state, with Democratic voters participating in much higher numbers than in previous years ahead of the March 6 primary—though Republican voters still dominate both counties. In Brazoria County, Democratic turnout has more than tripled. Statewide, Democratic turnout doubled, while Republican turnout rose 15 percent, the Texas Tribune reported. A total of 5,821 cast early ballots in the Democratic primary in Brazoria County this year, compared to 1,621 in 2014. Republican turnout was up by more than 41 percent, with 16,189 voters this year compared to 11,422 in 2014. These numbers include in-person and mail-in ballots. "We have a number of locally contentious races and the candidates are getting the vote out, especially on the Republican side," said Susan Cunningham, lead elections clerk for Brazoria County. "But Democrats are up as well. There's renewed voter interest out there." In Galveston County, 5,848 Democratic voters participated, more than doubling the turnout of 2,892 in 2014. Republican turnout was initially looking slightly lower compared to 2014 the day before early voting ended, but ended up with 15,744 GOP voters compared to 11,953 in 2014, about a 31 percent increase. Polls open at 7 a.m. March 6 for regular voting.