Early voting nets record numbers statewide

TYLER COUNTY – The early voting period for the Nov. 3, 2026 midterm general election began on Monday, and allowed Tyler Countians the chance to make their voices heard in several elections, ranging from a statewide senatorial race to state, judicial and local elections.

According to figures released last Friday by the Texas Secretary of State, there are a record 19,041,684 voters registered ahead of this election, which represents an increase over half a million voters (or 3%) from the last November.

This comes after a series of technological failures left many Texas counties processing thousands of delayed, or corrected voter records just days before Monday.

This election season for Texas has captured nationwide attention due to the state becoming a battleground state. Although Texans have not sent a Democrat to statewide office in more than 30 years, the race for a seat in the United States Senate, which was occupied by Republican John Cornyn for four full terms produced a competition with Attorney General Ken Paxton having won in the GOP primary against Cornyn and his Democratic challenger James Talarico.

Most polls have shown Talarico in the lead, although many of them indicate a thin margin. Additionally, the race between incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott and his Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa has been a tight race, according to polls.

Early voting continues through Friday, Oct. 30. The location is the Tyler County Nutrition Center, located at 201 Willow in Woodville.

Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Friday, Oct. 23. On Saturday, Oct. 24, they open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The schedule for Sunday, Oct. 25 is 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Next week, the polls begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26 and close at 8 p.m. each day until Friday, Oct. 30. On Tuesday, Nov. 3 (Election Day), polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Who’s on the Ballot

United States Senate

• Ken Paxton – Republican
• James Talarico – Democrat
• Ted Brown – Libertarian
• Certified write-in option

The winner will serve a six-year term representing Texas in the United States Senate.

United States House of Representatives, District 36

• Brian Babin – Republican
• Rhonda Hart – Democrat

The congressional race will determine who represents District 36 in Washington, D.C., for the next two years.

Texas Statewide Elections

Texas voters will elect several statewide officials, including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and other state officeholders.

Governor

• Greg Abbott – Republican
• Gina Hinojosa – Democrat
• Pat Dixon – Libertarian
• Certified write-in option

Lieutenant Governor

• Dan Patrick – Republican
• Vikki Goodwin – Democrat
• Anthony Cristo – Libertarian
• Kevin McCormick – Green Party
• Certified write-in option

Attorney General

• Mayes Middleton – Republican
• Nathan Johnson – Democrat
• Tom Oxford – Libertarian

Comptroller of Public Accounts

• Don Huffines – Republican
• Sarah Eckhardt – Democrat
• V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza – Libertarian
• Shehla Faizi – Green Party

Commissioner of the General Land Office

• Dawn Buckingham – Republican
• Benjamin Flores – Democrat
• Neill Snider – Libertarian

Commissioner of Agriculture

• Nate Sheets – Republican
• Clayton Tucker – Democrat
• Austin R. Kelly – Libertarian

Texas Railroad Commissioner

• Bo French – Republican
• Jon Rosenthal – Democrat
• Arthur DiBianca – Libertarian

Despite its name, the Texas Railroad Commission primarily regulates the state's oil and natural gas industries rather than railroads.

Southeast Texas Legislative Elections

Several races will determine who represents Tyler County and surrounding Southeast Texas communities in the Texas Legislature and State Board of Education.

Texas Senate, District 3

• Trent Ashby – Republican
• Bobby Tillman – Democrat

Texas House of Representatives, District 21

• Ray Callas – Republican
• Jacqueline "Jacky" Hernandez – Democrat

State Board of Education, District 7

• Julie Pickren – Republican
• Tiffany Perkinz – Democrat

The State Board of Education helps establish curriculum standards and oversees matters affecting public education in Texas.

Tyler County Local Elections

Several countywide offices are on the November ballot, along with commissioner and justice of the peace elections that vary by precinct.

Countywide Races

• County Judge: Milton Powers – Republican
• District Clerk: Renee Crews – Republican
• County Clerk: Janet Brown – Republican
• County Treasurer: Leann Monk – Republican
• Criminal District Attorney: Brooke Koi – Republican
• District Judge, 1A Judicial District: Delinda Gibbs-Walker – Republican

All six candidates are listed without an opposing party candidate on Tyler County's published sample ballots.

County Commissioner, Precinct 4

• Matthew Johnson – Republican
• Certified write-in option

County commissioners participate in decisions involving county budgets, roads, infrastructure and other county operations.

Justice of the Peace Elections

• Precinct 1: Tina Self – Republican
• Precinct 3: Michael A. Hughes – Republican
• Precinct 4: Henry E. Sawyer, Jr. – Republican

Voters will see only the commissioner, justice of the peace and constable races that apply to their particular voting precinct.

State and Regional Judicial Elections

The ballot also includes several positions on the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and regional courts of appeals.

Texas Supreme Court

• Chief Justice: Jimmy Blacklock – Republican; Maggie Ellis – Democrat
• Place 2, Unexpired Term: James P. Sullivan – Republican; Chari Kelly – Democrat
• Place 7: Kyle Hawkins – Republican; Kristen Hawkins – Democrat
• Place 8: Brett Busby – Republican; Gisela D. Triana – Democrat

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

• Place 3: Thomas Smith – Republican; Okey Anyiam – Democrat; Mark Ash – Libertarian
• Place 4: Kevin Patrick Yeary – Republican; Audra Riley – Democrat
• Place 9: John Messinger – Republican; Holly Taylor – Democrat

15th Court of Appeals

• Chief Justice: Scott Brister – Republican; Jerry Zimmerer – Democrat
• Place 2: Scott K. Field – Republican; Tom Baker – Democrat
• Place 3: April Farris – Republican; Marc M. Meyer – Democrat

9th Court of Appeals

• Chief Justice: Scott Golemon – Republican

These courts handle civil and criminal appeals, with the Texas Supreme Court serving as the state's highest court for civil matters and the Court of Criminal Appeals serving as its highest court for criminal matters.