With 8.6 million people who have already voted early, in person or by mail, Texas is on pace to exceed the total number of people who voted in the state during the 2016 presidential election during the early voting period, the Texas Tribune reports.
In 2016, 8.9 million people voted in the presidential election, representing 59.4% of registered voters. Currently, 51% of registered voters have cast ballots in the 2020 election. Early voting ends in Texas on Friday, October 30th.
The tally, taken through Wednesday, shows voter enthusiasm in a state that is a surprising battleground in this year’s presidential election. Most polls have put the race within the margin of error within the last week.
The state is also in the midst of an unexpectedly tight Senate race between incumbent republican Tom Cornyn and Democratic challenger MJ Hegar. A typically safe republican seat has slid closer to Democrats’ grasp.