Hidalgo County reported 53,960 votes during the first three days of early voting for the 2026 general election, a 65.1% increase over the 32,689 votes reported during the same three-day period in the 2022 midterm election.
The figures cover Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 19-21, 2026, compared with Oct. 24-26, 2022, according to the daily polling-location reports provided by Hidalgo County.
The increase has continued each day. Hidalgo County reported 20,530 votes on the first day of early voting in 2026, compared with 13,746 in 2022. On the second day, the totals were 17,452 and 10,241, respectively. By the third day, 2026 turnout reached 15,978, compared with 8,702 four years earlier.
That means the daily total on Wednesday was approximately 84% higher than on the corresponding day in 2022.
In-person voting accounted for 50,741 votes during the first three days of 2026, compared with 29,331 in 2022. Mail ballots accounted for another 3,219 votes in 2026, compared with 3,358 in 2022.
The figures show a substantial increase in in-person participation during the opening days of early voting. They do not, by themselves, establish the reasons behind the increase or predict the final turnout.
As of October 21, in Texas, 2,203,500 ballots have been cast: 107,045 by mail and 2,096,455 in person.
The 2026 election features several closely watched statewide contests, including the race for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Cornyn, with Republican Ken Paxton facing Democrat James Talarico and Libertarian Ted Brown.
The governor’s race pits Republican incumbent Greg Abbott against Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa and Libertarian Pat Dixon.
Congressional contests are also drawing attention across South Texas. In District 15, Republican U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz is seeking another term against Democratic challenger Bobby Pulido. In District 28, Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar faces Republican Tano Tijerina and Green Party candidate Marlón Durán. Republican Eric Flores is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez in District 34.
Hidalgo County voters are also deciding state legislative races, including District 35, where Democratic incumbent Oscar Longoria faces Republican Oscar Rosa; District 40, where Democratic incumbent Terry Canales faces Republican Celeste Cabrera-Huff; and District 41, an open seat contested by Republican Gary Groves and Democrat Julio Salinas.
The ballot also includes judicial contests and local offices, including the Hidalgo County district attorney race between Democratic incumbent Toribio “Terry” Palacios and Republican Lydia Elizondo.
The 2026 election will take place Nov. 3, with early voting scheduled to continue through Oct. 30, according to the Hidalgo County Elections Department.
The first three days provide an early indication of increased participation compared with 2022. Whether that pace continues through the remainder of early voting and Election Day will determine the overall scale of turnout in Hidalgo County.
