The Austin Chronicle

https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2012-07-24/primary-run-off-results-early-voting/

Primary Run-Off Results: Early Voting Day One

By Richard Whittaker, July 24, 2012, 9:17am, Newsdesk

Everyone was wondering who was going to turn out for the primary run-off elections. The quick answer may be "nobody." In the first day of early voting, a grand total of 4,846 people voted across the two primaries – equal to 0.81% of registered voters in Travis County.

How does that compare to the first day of early voting in the first round of the primary? Actually, it's up. On May 14, 3,297 people voted in total, so there's a lot more first day activity.

On the Democratic side, 1,106 votes were cast. Early voting in person has dipped, but not too badly (882, down to 766.) However, mail-in ballots are through the floor. 635 postal ballots were received on the first day of early voting in the primary, and that's down to 340 this time.

So the big boost has come from the Republicans, with 3,740 votes cast. Early voting in person stands at 2,196 – more than double the 836 on the first day of the first round. The same goes in the mail-in ballots: 1,544, up from 864.

Reading the tea leaves is tough on this one. There are fewer big races this time, although the fight between Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, and challenger Donna Campbell has been lighting up the airwaves for the GOP, as is the US senate bally-hoo between Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and former solicitor general Ted Cruz. Over on the Democratic side, former state Rep. Paul Sadler will be trying to squeeze past hobbyist candidate Grady Yarbrough. Moreover, there's only five days of early voting this time, compared to 12 in the first round.

You have until close of business on Friday, July 27 for early voting, then the actual election is July 31. You can find voting locations and info here, and our endorsements here

Oops: This article has been amended to carry correct numbers. Sorry for the blunder, folks.

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