History made: El Paso shows up for early voting

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Paso voters are turning the tide this election season by turning out in record-breaking numbers.

El Paso County broke its 2018 record for midterm early voting. Monday night, El Paso set the scene with more than 17,500 ballots cast -- 264 more voters than the 17,236 votes logged on the opening day of early voting for the 2018 midterm election.

National voters preferred voting on Election Day over the early voting period. According to the El Paso County Elections Department, considering both in-person and mail-in ballots, turnout this year is 87% above 2022's turnout.

Local election officials and political observers attribute the surge to a combination of high-stakes local ballot measures and contested statewide races driving voters to the polls early.

The El Paso County Elections Department, expressed its gratitude in a social media post Tuesday evening: "What an incredible turnout! Thank you, El Paso County, for showing up, making your voices heard, and making history. Let’s keep the momentum going!"

ABC-7 is going to talk to voters to see what pushed them to come to the polls this election. Early voting ends Friday, Oct.30th.

Find ABC-7's voter resources and guide here.