Early voting has begun and will continue through next Friday, October 29. Early reports show turnout to be more than 2006, the last gubernatorial election in Texas, but less than 2008, the last presidential election.
Here are some early voting facts taken from the Texas Secretary of State’s website:
• Early voting in person was passed by the Texas Legislature in 1987 and was first used in the Nov. 1987 election on constitutional amendments.
• In the March 2010 primary elections, 41% of the total votes cast were through early voting.
• In the November 2008 general election, 66% of the total votes cast were through early voting. This turnout rate was an all-time high.
• In the November 2006 governor’s race, 39% of the total votes cast were through early voting.
Now we are back to two candidates for speaker of the Texas House. Rep. Leo Berman (R-Tyler) announced that he is dropping out of the race for speaker and endorsing the candidacy of Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa).
Governor Rick Perry stuck to his promise and did not attend the Texas governor’s debate held last night in Austin. Democrat Bill White, Libertarian Kathie Glass and Green Party candidate Deb Shafto participated in the debate.