Friday is the final day of early voting in Texas, and the numbers are remarkable. More than 6.2 million ballots have been cast as of Thursday, according to the Texas Secretary of State, with polls closing at 7 p.m. tonight. Election officials credit heightened attention to the races for the strong turnout across the state, including here in Ellis County.

Texas has a real claim to the early voting story. The state dropped the excuse requirement back in 1987 and required dedicated early voting sites in 1991, and most of the country eventually followed suit. Only Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire still lack an early voting system. Meanwhile, the Secretary of State’s new TEAM reporting system is displaying totals that don’t match county-reported figures. Officials with the Texas Association of County Election Officials say it’s a reporting discrepancy that doesn’t affect the actual vote count or the results we’ll see on November 3rd.

Looking ahead, SB 2753 will eventually eliminate the four-day gap before Election Day and delay counting of in-person ballots, but election officials warned of financial and staffing burdens, so those changes don’t apply this cycle. If you’re voting today, double-check your polling location and bring your ID. Have you already cast your ballot, or are you waiting for Election Day?