750,000 to cast ballots in Harris County as early voting begins

HOUSTON – Voters across the State of Texas will head to the polls Monday, for the first day of early voting.

In Harris County, there are 46 early-voting polling locations to accommodate what is expected to be high voter turnout.

"We're planning on 1.4 million voters and that means 750,000 are going to vote early," Harris County Cleark Stan Stanart said. "We're going to have over 100,000 ballot-by-mail returned to us. We've already had 50,000 in our office that's been returned."

RELATED: Find an early-voting location and more with our early-voting guide

One of the more contentious races on the ballot is for Harris County district attorney.

Republican incumbent Devon Anderson is being challenged by Democrat Kim Ogg.

"This is one of the most-hotly-contested races in the State of Texas," said Mark Jones, political fellow at Rice University.

Political analysts expect the race for district attorney in Harris County to help drive voter turnout, beginning with early voting.

Political organizing groups have launched get-out-the-vote campaigns, stressing the importance of this year's election.

"This is a very critical election. Every vote counts," said Mary Moreno, spokeswoman for Texas Organizing Project, a left-leaning political organization.

Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 24, and runs through Nov. 4.

Election Day is Nov. 8.