(The Center Square)–A record 40% of registered voters, 7.7 million people, voted during early voting in Texas, according to Secretary of State data.
Instead of voting on one day, Election Day, Texans have 13 days to vote, 12 of which are during an early voting period. This year, early voting went from Oct. 19-30.
There are a record 19 million Texans registered to vote this election, according to Secretary of State data.
By comparison, in 2014, 4.7 million people voted, or 34% of registered voters, according to an analysis of election data by the Austin-based Ryan Data & Research firm.
The company doesn’t use modeling information, only data from public SOS registration lists and a list of voters reported by each county on each day of early voting, the company says.
“More people voted early this year than all votes cast in 2014, but we also have five million more registered voters on the registration rolls this year than we did 12 years ago. We also were only 400,000 votes away from surpassing the total for 2022 as well,” Derek Ryan with Ryan Data explained in an emailed statement to The Center Square.
He also said that on Election Day, “we are going to see a record number of votes cast for a midterm election in Texas.”
By comparison, in 2022, 74% of registered voters voted early. In 2018, the ratio was 80%. In 2024, it was 85%, he said. The ratios were larger in these elections but there were fewer registered voters and the total numbers were less.
The majority of Texans who voted early are in
Harris County saw the highest number of early voters at more than one million, according to SOS data. The county is seen as a bellwether for political shifts in the state. Previously a Republican majority county, over the past 10 years it’s shifted left. The majority of voters polled say the state and country are heading in the wrong direction, The Center Square reported. Democrats are expected to make large gains this election despite Gov. Greg Abbott vowing to help turn the county “dark red.”
The next largest number of early votes were cast in the state’s largest counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar and Travis, according to SOS data. Tarrant County, the state’s last large county with a Republican majority, could flip blue on Election Day.
Nearly half of all registered voters in Collin County voted early, according to the data. The county is home to Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who iwho trails in polling in the U.S. Senate race.
The majority of people who voted early were women, 55%, compared to 42% of men.
“Women having an advantage over men isn’t out of the ordinary in Texas. There are almost one million more women registered than men. At the completion of early voting in 2018, women made up 54% of all votes cast,” Ryan notes.
Nearly 60% of voters over age 65 voted early, according to the data with nearly 2.5 million votes cast, or 32% of early votes cast. “This is a larger share than they had in 2024 after early voting (29%), but smaller than their share in 2022,” the analysis notes.
Voters between the ages of 18 and 29 made up nearly one million of the votes, or 13%.
Hispanic voters accounted for nearly 20% of early voters, nearly 1.5 million.
When comparing early voting data to primary voter data, there are 2.7 million people who have not voted who are among the most likely voters, according to the analysis. In this category, Republicans have a 289,717-vote advantage over Democrats if they vote on Election Day, according to Ryan’s analysis.
Early voting was not without controversy.
The SOS was sued for problems with a new voter registration system, which officials acknowledged created a backlog of 500,000 registration applications not reaching county registrars. The issue was reportedly fixed ahead of early voting, The Center Square reported. This case is ongoing.
In Harris County, several convicted felons were arrested over the weekend on charges of illegally voting, and last week county officials were sued for running “get out the vote” ads targeting voters by race. The Office of Attorney General investigated both cases. County officials agreed to stop running the ads and were blocked from running them again in the future, The Center Square reported.
In south Texas, an independent investigation found there were 3,500 defective voter registrations in south Texas. The region is where allegations of voter fraud have been made in Zapata County during the Democratic primary elections this year and in 2024, The Center Square reported. County officials who are currently under criminal investigation for alleged voter fraud are running for reelection Nov. 3.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.