Harris County is where Houston is.
BETOMANIA
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The turnout smashed the previous mark, set in 2010, by more than 35,000 votes, and came on the same day both major party candidates for the U.S. Senate, Gov. Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump campaigned in downtown Houston.
An additional 52,413 voters have returned mail-in ballots, bringing the total figure to date to 115, 601.
Harris County's tally eclipsed the first-day total in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, even though midterms typically draw far fewer voters. Fort Bend and Montgomery counties experienced similar surges.
"There are just incredible numbers of turnout today," Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart said. "Lines are moving, they're getting to vote, and they're getting on their way."
BETOMANIA
The day began in the predawn twilight at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center on West Gray, where more 2,000 voters waited for the polls to open at 8 a.m. Many arrived to cheer Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke, who made a campaign stop and spoke to supporters through a bullhorn.
In Pasadena around 11:15 a.m., Victoria Montoya waited in line with two-dozen other voters. She said her Mexican-American family has always supported Democrats and said Texas deserves a new senator in O'Rourke.
No trophy for guessing who this person voted forBehind her, Victor Mesuwan of South Houston admitted he had not cast a ballot since the Bush-Gore presidential contest in 2000. He said O'Rourke was the first candidate he felt he could relate to, and decided to support the El Paso Democrat.
Retiree Susan Zak said casting a ballot was well worth the wait, as she was eager to support a pay raise for Houston firefighters. A straight-ticket Republican voter, Zak urged the government to stem illegal immigration, and said she was especially concerned about criminals and gang members slipping across the United States-Mexico border.
"I'm afraid for my grandchildren," she said.
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