Texas Early Voting Launches Amid Tight Senate Race and Registration Chaos
Early voting began in Texas on October 19, 2026, for the November 3 midterm elections. The state’s Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico is statistically tied, with the outcome potentially determining Senate control. While 80% of Texas voters cast ballots early in 2024, current registration backlogs and strict ID laws threaten turnout. Both candidates are holding daily rallies, though Republicans have largely refused to debate Democrats in statewide races.
Key points
- Early voting in Texas runs from October 19 to October 30, with most voters expected to cast ballots before Election Day.
- The U.S. Senate race between Ken Paxton and James Talarico is within the margin of error, with recent polls showing a 3-point lead for Talarico.
- Elon Musk has financed a significant portion of the over $500 million spent on television advertising, primarily benefiting Paxton.
- Texas election officials are managing a backlog of 15,000 voter registration records, following a previous error affecting 500,000 records.
- Republican candidates, including Governor Greg Abbott, have declined to debate their Democratic opponents, leading to staged solo events by Democrats.
Background
Recent archive reports indicate that Texas has faced significant administrative hurdles, including a 500,000-record backlog caused by a Department of Public Safety software error. The current 15,000-record backlog involves address updates submitted via Texas.gov. Additionally, polls from October 14 showed the Senate race tightening to a statistical tie, with Democrats hoping to end a 38-year losing streak in the state.
How outlets are covering it
The New York Times emphasizes the high stakes of the Senate race, noting that the outcome could determine which party controls the chamber and potentially end decades of Republican dominance in Texas. It highlights the intense advertising spend, particularly from Elon Musk, and the candidates' recent controversies, such as Paxton’s Dubai trip and Talarico’s absence due to illness. CNN focuses on the broader national context, noting that early voting is beginning in several competitive states, including Texas and South Carolina. CNN also highlights the shifting sentiment among Latino voters, who may be pivotal in determining congressional control, and notes that Trump is campaigning heavily in red states to boost turnout for struggling Republican candidates. While both sources agree on the tightness of the race, the NYT focuses on local Texas dynamics and advertising, whereas CNN connects the Texas race to national trends in Latino voter support and Trump’s travel strategy.
Why it matters
The Texas Senate race is a bellwether for the national midterm elections, as it could determine control of the U.S. Senate. The state’s strict voting laws and recent registration issues could impact turnout, particularly among minority and younger voters. The outcome will also signal the future of Republican dominance in the South and the effectiveness of Democratic efforts to mobilize Latino voters.
What to watch
Campaigns will continue daily events through October 30 to mobilize voters. The Texas Secretary of State’s Office is offering grants to help counties manage overtime costs for processing the registration backlog. Polls and early voting data will be closely monitored to determine if the race remains tied or if one candidate gains a decisive advantage.
- Vital Early Voting Period Begins in Texas The New York Times
- Midterm election live updates: Early in-person voting begins in Texas as Democrats hope for major Latino shift CNN
- Early voting begins in Texas, what Central Texans should know KXAN Austin
- What do I need to bring to vote in Texas? Here's a guide of what's required and not allowed at the polls ABC13 Houston
- Early voting starts Monday in Nueces County. Here's what voters need to know kiiitv.com
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