HOUSTON – Despite record voter turnout during the March primary election, early voting numbers in Harris County have dropped significantly ahead of Tuesday’s runoff election.
According to Harris County election data, more than 330,000 ballots were cast during early voting for the March primary.
For the current runoff election, early voting totals have reached just over 145,000 ballots — a roughly 56% decrease.
Still, some voters say showing up to the polls remains an important responsibility.
“It’s important that we get out to vote and make sure that these elections are part of our civic responsibility,” Houston voter Rhonda Sepulveda said.
Sepulveda said she was not surprised turnout numbers were lower this time around.
“I think that they need to pay attention,” she said. “People just need to pay attention to our civic responsibility. It’s not just a right, but it’s a responsibility.”
Rice University political science fellow Mark Jones said the lower turnout largely comes down to differences in the races appearing on the ballot compared to March.
“Really what we have is a tale of two parties,” Jones said. “Republican early voting numbers are only down about 25% from where they were in March, whereas on the Democratic side, they’re down about 75%.”
Jones said the March Democratic primary featured a high-profile U.S. Senate race that energized turnout. This runoff election, he said, lacks a comparable statewide Democratic contest driving voters to the polls.
Instead, Jones said turnout in Harris County is being driven largely by a handful of local races, including the Congressional District 18 primary race and the Harris County judge race.
On the Republican side, Jones said several statewide races — including the U.S. Senate contest between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton — are helping maintain stronger turnout numbers.
Jones said he expects Republican turnout to remain relatively steady compared to March, while Democratic turnout could see a much steeper decline.
“If Democrats have really good Election Day turnout, they could get somewhere around maybe 150,000, 160,000,” Jones said.
He also noted that many races in Texas are effectively decided during primary elections and runoff contests because many districts heavily favor one political party.
“Anyone who doesn’t turn out to vote in the primary runoff is effectively delegating their right to choose who represents them,” Jones said.
Sepulveda said she hopes more people decide to vote before polls close Tuesday.
“It’s not just a right, but it’s a responsibility,” she said.
Polls for Election Day open Tuesday.