Record numbers turn out for Day 1 of early voting in Montgomery County

THE WOODLANDS, TX – An all-time high number of ballot-fillers turned out in Montgomery County for the first day of early voting, setting the stage for a possible record-breaking turnout for the 2024 general election. Woodlands Online confirmed some key numbers from the Montgomery County Elections Administration.

On Monday, October 21, the opening day of early voting in Texas, 22,519 people descended on their local polling stations to cast their ballots for this contentious presidential election. In comparison to previous elections involving the installation of a Commander-in-Chief, 20,874 Montgomery County voters hit the polls on the first day of early voting in 2020. In 2016, the previous Trump-related election, 20,432 voters came the first day. On those same first days in elections before that, there were 15,021 in 2012, 11,397 in 2008, 6,246 in 2004, and a scant 4,364 in 2000, far enough back that the biggest question was over hanging chads on paper ballots.

Reports are coming in from all stations about the long lines at the ten early voting locations in Montgomery County. At Woodlands Online’s own offices in the western part of The Woodlands, the parking lot and both sides of the street are filled with cars for the polling station at the Mitchell Library next door from open to close.

In the 2020 match-up between Trump and Biden, more than 73 percent of eligible voters in Montgomery County cast their ballots, and this election is on track to bring out more voters than ever from all parties.

Woodlands Online reminds you that you can cast your vote at all county locations for the early voting period from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. each day; note that as long as you are on site and in line by 7 p.m. you can still cast your vote. Early voting continues until Friday, November 1. After that, you’ll have to wait until Election Day on Tuesday, November 5 to fill in your ballot, and only at your designated precinct polling location.

Stay tuned to Woodlands Online for ongoing coverage of election season.