EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — According to the El Paso County Elections Department, more than 135,000 people have voted in person since early voting began.

The El Paso County Elections Department said another 7,300 people have voted by mail. Voters said that rising costs are among the issues on their minds.

“Our bills are going to be more expensive. We have a monopoly with electricity right here,” one voter said.

“Things keep getting up more and more. Gas, groceries, you name it,” another said.

Christopher Stockdale said he and his family are feeling the pressure of higher costs.

“I’m a father of two kids right now, wife’s a teacher, and even then, we’re managing to just barely scrape by,” Stockdale said.

AAA reports the average gas price in the past year rose from $2.88 to $4.06 per gallon. Grocery costs are also a concern.

Cost of living and affordability take center stage for El Paso voters

A study by UTEP and El Pasoans Fighting Hunger found that 35% of El Pasoans faced food insecurity. Kris Yagel, interim CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, said that figure has since increased.

“What we’ve seen in the last two years, actually, is 35% food insecurity in 2025. That number has jumped to 40%,” Yagel said.

The food bank serves three counties and provides food assistance to more than 166,000 people. Yagel said demand has remained steady, even as more people say they need help.

“Even though more people need food, they’re less likely, in some stretches of that number, to come and get the services that we provide and our pantry partners provide. And we don’t know what’s driving that,” Yagel said.

Andrew Physics picks up food from the food bank each week, sometimes on behalf of family members who cannot go themselves. He said the need continues as the cost of housing, food and other necessities rises.

“Especially with the rise in cost of housing, food, and just general life necessities, there has been a continuous number of people,” Physics said.

Affordability is a key focus for local and state candidates, including U.S. Senate in Texas Democratic nominee James Talarico.

“It’s why we can’t afford the basics in this economy, because the system has been rigged by politicians just like Ken Paxton,” Talarico said.

From our sister station in Amarillo, Texas Attorney General and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Ken Paxton is taking his stand on affordability.

“Everything costs more. Everything is up except their paychecks. My agenda is simple: I’m going to fight so every Texan can buy a home and raise a family,” Paxton said.

For voters like Stockdale, the cost of everyday necessities is more than a campaign issue.

“If we can get the right people in charge to hopefully start making a change and make life easier again, that would be fantastic,” Stockdale said.

Marisol Najera-Bustillos is a college student who took interest in this election.

“There are things that we need to take into consideration, and I would like to be a part of choosing those candidates that just care about everyday lives,” Najera-Bustillos said.

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