Texas early voting opened Monday with numbers that look more like a presidential year than a midterm. Harris County recorded roughly 104,000 ballots on day one, far above its previous first-day high of just over 60,000. Dallas County drew more than 74,000 voters, while Travis and Bexar counties posted turnout typical of a national election cycle.

The surge isn’t confined to the big metros. Smaller counties across the state, including here in Ellis County, reported significant first-day increases compared to 2022, and first-day totals were up statewide. That combination of urban and rural engagement is unusual for a midterm and a signal worth watching as races up and down the ballot take shape.

Early voting continues through the end of the month, and polling locations can differ from your usual Election Day spot, so check with the Ellis County Elections Office before you head out. Whether you vote early or wait, the numbers suggest your neighbors are already showing up. Have you cast your ballot yet? Tell us how the experience went at your polling location.