Early Voting Turnout Up From 2006

The gubernatorial primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties are getting voters out early. The trend may be due to the heated races on both sides, or just that Texas voters are taking more advantage of the opportunity to vote early.

50,560 people voted early or by mail in the state's largest 15 counties during the first two days of this year's GOP primary.  Four years ago, just 18,646 people voted early in those counties.

Democratic voters are also getting out early, although the numbers are not up as much.  37,144 votes were cast in the Democratic primary's first two days, up from 21,846 in 2006.