EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Data compiled by KTSM shows that in the first 10 days of early voting for this year’s primary elections, voter turnout has been lower than in 2020’s primary election in El Paso County.
So far, there have been 24,095 voters in 2024 compared to 33,713 voters in 2020 who cast their ballot in the same time period for the primary in El Paso County.
However, this year’s early voting numbers for the primary elections are higher than in 2016’s primary election during that same period, when only 18,293 voters cast their ballot.
We choose 2024, 2020 and 2016 for this comparison because all three are presidential election years.
Data compiled by KTSM on El Paso County Early Voting
KTSM has provided coverage on four highly contested local races in this year’s Democratic primary.
House District 77
El Paso County district attorney
El Paso County sheriff
County commissioner, Precinct 1
Friday, March 1 was the last day for early voting.
KTSM spoke with local residents about this year’s voter turnout.
Rita Williamson already voted and she said local elections are very important because they affect people’s daily lives, but she didn’t feel comfortable with this year’s primary election.
“I did find that it was mostly clogged mailboxes, flyers that didn’t really give us information on the candidates’ platforms, which I found to be upsetting and kind of annoying. We don’t need that kind of junk mail, so to speak.” said Williamson. “What I would appreciate more from the candidates would be actual information on what they stand for.”
Her father Owen Williamson shared the same sentiment.
“The information we’ve gotten is really, really insufficient. So in most of the local races that are contested, I honestly didn’t vote for anybody because the information we have is not sufficient to decide,” Owen Williamson said.
Perla Mendoza did not vote in the early election period but plans to vote on Election Day on March 5 as she values having her voice heard, but said waiting until Election Day has its benefits.
“Mainly me because I work really late, I haven’t had the chance to do it. But also in the end I want to look at everything towards the end so it’ll help me make my decision,” Mendoza said.
Mario Padilla cast his vote on the last day of early voting, and expressed his thoughts on the importance of local elections.
“I think every election is important. We don’t have a right to complain unless we participate in the election system,” Padilla said. “El Paso is home and has been home for over 40 years. It’s dear to me, it’s dear to I think all of us that voted today and are voting in the general election. So we have to make sure that we have the right individuals in there doing the right things for all of us.”
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