More than 1.7 million Texans in the state's 15 most populous counties have voted early in the 2010 midterm elections, an increase of about 656,000 votes compared to the 2006 midterms.
The early voting figures released Monday by the Texas Secretary of State's office show nearly 21 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots early, compared to about 13 percent in 2006. The state's 15 largest counties make up nearly two-thirds of the 13.3 million registered voters in Texas.
Early voting ended Friday in Texas. The general election is Tuesday.
Southern Methodist University political science Professor Cal Jillson says the higher turnout is a reflection of both people getting increasingly comfortable with early voting and concern over the economy.
Online:
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/
