Election Day is here.
In addition to fiercely contested races for president and for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas, there are several ballot items to watch in South Texas, including races for the Texas Legislature, a six-person contest for Corpus Christi mayor and bond propositions for a wide range of street, infrastructure and other projects in Corpus Christi.
More than 9 million Texans cast their ballots during early voting, accounting for a 48.51% turnout.
This year’s early voting turnout falls short of the 57.22% recorded at the same point in 2020, when 9.7 million Texans voted early. However, the higher turnout in 2020 was largely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic , which prompted a surge in absentee voting — 937,000 ballots compared to 347,000 this year — and an early voting period that was extended by six days.
Falling in line with that trend, Nueces County voters turned out in smaller numbers during early voting this year than in 2020.
The Caller-Times will have live coverage throughout Election Day, so check back here for updates.