First day of Bexar County early voting 'shattered' turnout record

Early voting turnout in Bexar County so far has “shattered previous records,” according to the Elections Administrator Jacquelyn Callanen — roughly 41% more in-person votes cast Monday than on the first day of the 2020 presidential election.

Voters cast a total of 46,820 in-person ballots during an 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. window on the first day of early voting in a county of roughly 1.3 million registered voters.

On Tuesday, turnout was even higher, with 48,067 votes cast.

“We continue to break previous records regarding voter turnout at Bexar County Elections polls,” Callanen said in a statement Tuesday morning. “This morning, we had 6,000-plus [voters] in the first hour open.”

The elections department already had reason to suspect local voters were fired up about the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, as voter registration numbers soared close to deadline earlier this month.

Callanen said the “disconnect” has long been getting all of those registered voters to the polls, but early numbers this year indicate voters this year are eager to cast their ballot.

Long lines have been wrapping around many of the county’s 51 early polling locations — all of which are open to any Bexar County voter, regardless of where you live.

A voting center Northwest Vista College topped the turnout list with 1,999 votes cast there on Monday. Encino Library, Brookhollow Library and Cody Library also had some of the highest traffic in the first day.

But not all of the polling places were busy Monday, Callanen noted, so voters who want to avoid the lines can review the turnout numbers and choose a location accordingly.

A location near Woodlawn Lake, the Frank Garrett Multi-Service Center, saw just 219 voters.

Other low-turnout locations on the first day include Macedonia Baptist Church on the far West Side, the Southside ISD administration building on the far Southside, and Saint Hedwig City Hall on the far East Side.

Most locations are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. this week, with shorter hours on the weekend and longer hours starting next week.

The early voting period will close on Friday, Nov. 1.

A map of the locations can be found here, but be sure to check the hours of operation of the individual location here before you head out to vote.