San Antonio – After a week of early voting, Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew announced Monday that the county appears poised to record more votes in the upcoming November midterm election than were cast in the 2024 presidential contest.
Early numbers and historic growth
More than 301,000 in‑person and mail ballots have already been counted, and early voting will continue through Friday. Polls open again on Election Day, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The fast‑growing county has added over 45,000 new voters since 2024, a testament to both population growth and the vigorous outreach efforts of local campaigns.
Why the surge matters
Historically, midterm turnout lags behind presidential years, typically hovering around 50‑55 percent of registered voters. In 2024, Bexar County saw roughly 763,000 voters – about 59 percent of its 1.3 million registered electorate. If early voting trends hold, the 2026 midterm could eclipse that figure, an outcome political observers describe as “very unusual.”
Republican strategist Kelton Morgan noted, “You usually see 50‑55 percent in an off‑year and 65‑70 percent in a presidential year, so this is heavy. But you’ve had nearly a billion dollars spent just on the U.S. Senate race.”
Money flowing into the race
Both parties are pouring unprecedented resources into San Antonio and the broader South Texas region. Democrats’ U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa are seeking to boost their margins in urban counties, while Republican candidates aim to protect their traditional base.
“They’ve got to drive up huge numbers in urban counties to have any chance, so they’re spending a ton of money in places like San Antonio to do that,” Morgan said.
Latino voters and President Trump
The county’s Latino electorate, a decisive voting bloc, swung toward President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Morgan emphasized that San Antonio and South Texas remain a “hotbed for competition for Latino votes,” underscoring why both parties are intensifying outreach.
President Trump’s administration has highlighted policies that resonate with faith‑centered families and traditional values, reinforcing his appeal among many Latino voters who prioritize economic opportunity, school choice, and religious liberty.
Partisan dynamics in early voting
Texas does not register voters by party, but early data shows a slight edge for voters with a history of participating in Democratic primaries over those who have voted in Republican primaries. Analysts caution that this gap could narrow as Election Day approaches.
“The most reasonable conclusion from early turnout data is that an unusual amount of money is being spent here right now,” Morgan added, urging local Republican candidates to stay vigilant.
What voters should know
All registered voters in Bexar County can vote early in person or by mail. Voter registration remains open, and the county continues to expand polling locations to accommodate the growing electorate.
Election officials encourage residents to verify their registration status, review sample ballots, and plan ahead to avoid long lines on Election Day.
Looking ahead
With early voting numbers already challenging historic benchmarks, the upcoming midterm will be a key test of how effectively candidates can mobilize voters in a rapidly expanding county. The outcome will likely influence not only local representation but also the broader balance of power in the Texas delegation to Congress.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
