In 2008, Travis County voters flocked to the polls in record numbers during early voting to cast ballots in highly charged and historic presidential primary races. On the Democratic ticket, a Black man and woman (then-U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton); On the Republican ticket, a woman vice presidential candidate (Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin).

In the first eight days of early voting, which began last week, about 10.2% of the county’s 920,114 registered voters had cast ballots — the highest early turnout at this point in a primary since 2008. That year, about 63,500 voters had cast ballots by this point in early voting.

That’s more than two points higher than the same time period in the 2020 primaries and almost six points higher than the same time period in the 2024 primaries, when voters were selecting party presidential nominees. 

Voter turnout, in Texas and across the country, is typically highest in presidential election years. 

In this year’s primary, Texas voters are choosing party nominees for several high-profile offices, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor and attorney general.

The Senate primaries have drawn considerable national attention with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — a loyal Trump ally — challenging incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn, and two high-profile candidates — U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico — duking it out in the Democratic primary race.

“Texas is one of a handful of states whose Senate contest is considered potentially competitive at a time when control of the U.S. Senate is held by a razor-thin margin,” Joshua Blank, director of research at the Texas Politics Project, said.

The intense interest in the race is likely playing a role in high early voting turnout but Blank also noted voters have exhibited an increasing preference for early voting in recent election cycles. He also said this is the first opportunity Democrats have had since President Trump took office to weigh in on important national races, selecting candidates that challenge his agenda.
 
In the first eight days of early voting in Travis County, 74,200 Democratic voters and 19,372 Republican voters cast ballots, which represents about 8.1% and 2.1% of registered voters in the county, respectively. 

Early voting continues through Feb. 27. Election Day is March 3.