First day of early voting exceeeds primaries

More than half as many Hays County residents cast ballots on the first day of early voting for the midterm election than in the entire early voting period for the party primaries in March, according to figures from the county.

Hays County Elections Administrator Jennifer Anderson reported in March that 5,980 voters cast their ballots early in the Republican primary, and 5,370 residents voted early in the Democratic primary — a total of 11,350. Anderson reported Tuesday morning that 6,505 Hays County residents cast their ballots on Monday alone.

Anderson had said before early voting began that she anticipated this midterm election to inspire turnout similar to that seen in presidential elections. 

“It’ll be interesting,” she said on the first day of early voting.

The early voting location with the highest number of votes cast was Buda City Hall, where 1,055 people voted on Monday. Another 882 people voted at the Wimberley Community Center, while 867 voted at the Hays County GOvernment Center and 855 cast their ballots at the Precinct 2 office in Kyle. Another 830 voters cast ballots at the Precinct 4 office in Dripping Springs, 814 voted at the LBJ Student Center on the Texas State University campus, 574 ballots were cast at Kyle City Hall, and 355 residents voted at the Live Oak Clinic/Health Department on Broadway Street in San Marcos. The lowest turnout on the first day of early voting was at the EIkon Church in Kyle, where 273 ballots were cast. 

Statewide, approximately 15.8 million people are registered to vote — 4 percent higher than those registered during the March statewide primary. Harris County broke its previous record for the opening day of early voting within six hours as more than 36,000 people cast their ballots. More than 36,000 people reportedly voted by 4 p.m. in Travis County, and Tarrant County — which includes Fort Worth — reported more than 37,000 votes on opening day. 

Complaints about inadequate staff and outdated technology slowing the process were heard in some locations, including San Antonio. In San Marcos, two machines at the Government Center malfunctioned and needed to be rebooted, Anderson said Monday. 

Early voting runs through Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 6. For voting information, including early voting times and places, visit the county's website. 

The Associated Press contributed to this story.