Maverick County Early Voting Surpasses 2022 Numbers, But Nearly 78 Percent of Registered Voters Have Yet to Participate
Maverick County Early Voting Surpasses 2022 Numbers, but Nearly 78 Percent of Registered Voters Have Yet to Participate
By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Maverick County has recorded a significant increase in early voting participation for the November 3 General Election, surpassing the total recorded during the 2022 Midterm Election. However, despite the encouraging numbers, nearly eight out of every ten registered voters have yet to cast their ballots.
According to figures released by the Maverick County Elections Department, early voting participation reached 8,201 ballots, exceeding the 6,689 votes recorded during the 2022 Midterm Election.
The increase represents 1,512 additional voters, or approximately 22.60 percent, reflecting an improvement in participation compared to four years ago.
Based on the county’s 37,204 registered voters, the current early voting participation rate stands at approximately 22.04 percent, compared to 19.63 percent during the 2022 election, representing an improvement of 2.41 percentage points.
Although these figures represent positive progress, they also reveal a continuing challenge for Maverick County.
Approximately 29,003 registered voters, representing 77.96 percent of the county’s electorate, had not participated in early voting when the latest figures were released.
With Friday, October 30, marking the final day of early voting and Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026 the number of ballots cast is expected to increase further as residents have two remaining opportunities to participate.
Nevertheless, surpassing the 2022 early voting total does not necessarily mean Maverick County has overcome its historically low voter participation.
The county recorded approximately 28.12 percent overall voter turnout during the 2022 General Election, illustrating the longstanding difficulty of encouraging greater participation among registered voters.
While county officials have celebrated the increase in early voting, the larger concern remains the thousands of registered voters who continue to stay away from the polls.
With more than 37,000 residents registered to vote, Maverick County possesses considerable electoral potential. However, that potential can only translate into greater political influence when more residents exercise their right to participate in elections.
Higher voter participation can strengthen the community’s voice in decisions affecting public education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic development and government representation.
The remaining two voting days provide an opportunity for Maverick County to build upon the gains already recorded and potentially establish a stronger turnout than in previous elections.
Early voting concludes Friday, October 30, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Eagle Pass Multi-Purpose Center, located at 480 S. Adams Street.
Election Day will take place Tuesday, November 3.
The increase in voter participation deserves recognition, but the real accomplishment will come when Maverick County moves beyond celebrating a few thousand additional votes and begins bringing a much larger percentage of its 37,204 registered voters to the polls.
