Texas enters the final day before its November 3 general election with more than 7.7 million early ballots recorded, a nationally watched U.S. Senate contest and consequential decisions about state and Dallas County leadership.
A tracker drawing on Texas Secretary of State figures lists 7,717,024 early ballots, including mail ballots. That total may change as counties finish reporting. Texas does not register voters by political party, so turnout figures alone cannot establish which candidates lead.
Senate Race Puts Policy And Candidate Records Under Scrutiny
Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton faces Democratic state Rep. James Talarico and Libertarian Ted Brown for the seat held by outgoing U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. The result could affect control of the U.S. Senate and decisions on federal spending, judicial nominations, immigration enforcement and abortion policy.
Paxton pledges to support President Donald Trump’s border enforcement agenda, cut taxes, oppose federal spending growth and defend restrictions on “sex-altering” procedures for minors. Talarico emphasizes living costs and government accountability, but his official campaign platform also advocates federal legislation to restore Roe v. Wade protections, preserve same-sex marriage and defend LGBTQ Americans.
Talarico’s public statements about Christianity and sex-related policies have also drawn scrutiny. In October 2021 Texas House floor remarks opposing legislation on school sports, he said, “God is nonbinary,” explaining that he believed God transcended human categories. As The Dallas Express previously documented, in a separate March 2021 podcast interview discussing institutional religion, he described himself as “a Christian who hates Christianity,” before praising the teachings of Jesus.
The Dallas Express also covered allegations linking Talarico’s former email address to an adult dating-site account, although his attorneys denied that he created or used the account and attributed the record to a compromised email address.
Talarico has acknowledged that his “God is nonbinary” remark was provocative and argued that human categories cannot fully define God. Critics dispute how he applies his “Christian” beliefs to abortion and sex-related policies. Prior DX reporting has examined his statements about abortion policy and his church’s support for Planned Parenthood Greater Texas.
Governor And State Offices Carry Broad Consequences
Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, seeks reelection against Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa and Libertarian Pat Dixon. Voters will also choose a lieutenant governor and attorney general. Those officials influence state taxation, school policy, legislative priorities and litigation challenging federal actions.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, faces Democrat Vikki Goodwin and minor-party challengers. Republican Mayes Middleton, Democrat Nathan Johnson and Libertarian Tom Oxford seek the attorney general’s office, which Paxton is vacating.
Dallas County Leadership Faces Its Own Decisions
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, a Democrat, faces Republican Mike Immler. The county judge leads Commissioners Court and helps oversee budgets and county services rather than criminal trials. In the district attorney race, Democrat Amber Givens-Davis, who defeated incumbent John Creuzot in the primary, faces declared independent write-in candidate Eric Reed. The office sets prosecution priorities across Dallas County.
From federal appointments to state taxes and county public safety, the contests carry different governing responsibilities. Texas voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, to determine the direction of leadership at the state and local levels, with decisions that will shape public safety, taxation, government accountability, and public policy for years to come.
