Updated at 4 p.m. with new information.
Even as the state grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, Texans are voting at a historic pace in the July 14 runoff contests.
Through July 8, nearly 800,000 Texans had voted early — either in person or by mail. According to the data submitted by county officials to the Texas Secretary of State, more than 482,000 people have voted in the Democratic Party runoffs, while more than 316,500 have participated in Republican runoff contests,
The early vote totals are remarkable because the runoffs are occurring as the nation battles the COVID-19 pandemic and residents are being urged to stay at home as positive test cases in Texas increase.
Many political analysts predicted a sluggish turnout by voters. While the percentage of registered voters participating in the elections is low, the turnout is more robust than the runoffs of yesteryear.
“We’re talking about extremely high turnout for a runoff,” said David de la Fuente, a senior political analyst for the think tank called Third Way.
The Democrats are voting in higher numbers because the party is staging a Senate runoff between former Air Force helicopter pilot MJ Hegar of Round Rock and state Rep. Royce West of Dallas. The winner faces Republican incumbent John Cornyn in November, who easily won his March primary.
There’s also a statewide runoff between former state Rep. Roberto Alonzo of Dallas and Dallas lawyer Chrysta Castaneda for the Democratic Railroad Commission nomination.
Voter turnout in Dallas County has been impressive, considering the circumstances. As of Thursday morning about 57,400 people had voted in runoff races. That’s already more than the 56,901 people who voted early and on Election Day for the 2018 runoffs. There are no GOP runoffs in Dallas County.
In North Texas, there are also congressional runoffs.
Retired Air Force Col. Kim Olson is running against former Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD trustee Candace Valenzuela for the District 24 seat now held by retiring Republican Kenny Marchant of Coppell. The winner of that contest faces former Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne in the general election. And Plano lawyers Sean McCaffity and Helane “Lulu” Seikaly are contending for their party’s nomination against Republican incumbent Van Taylor in Collin County-anchored District 3.
In Dallas County’s District 100, Rep. Lorraine Birabil is vying with Dallas lawyer Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic Party runoff for the seat previously held by Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.
Democrats say the heavier-than-expected voter turnout is a positive sign for party officials who are looking for a big turnout in November to help their candidates win statewide contests and seize the Texas House.
“It has to be anger at Donald Trump and maybe state Republicans,” de la Fuente said, describing the voter intensity.
After the coronavirus pandemic emerged, Texas Democrats made unsuccessful legal moves to compel officials to allow every Texas resident to vote by mail.
While those court actions failed, it appears local election officials are allowing residents to vote by mail without checking to see if their excuse for not appearing in person falls within legal guidelines.
Harris County election officials sent mail ballot applications to voters over the age of 65, a demographic group allowed by law to vote by mail. As of Thursday morning, over 81,000 people had participated in the Democratic Party runoffs there, with 41,600 residents mailing their ballots.
In Dallas County, nearly 42,000 people have voted at polling locations while over 15,600 have voted by mail. And in Tarrant County, an area being targeted by Democrats, about 11,800 of the more than 35,000 early voters cast their ballots by mail. Statewide, more than 277,170 people have voted by mail.
“Democrats are fired up and ready to win up and down the ballot in November,” said Texas Democratic Party spokesman Abhi Rahman, who said the voter turnout was part of a movement. “They are turning out at record numbers despite Greg Abbott’s attempt to stop them by making them risk their health to vote in person.”
Early voting extends through Friday, with Election Day on Tuesday.
