Early voting reached record-breaking numbers in its first days in Travis County. 

Over 145,000 people have voted in Travis County since early voting began on Oct. 21, according to the Travis County Clerk’s Office, with University polling stations recording almost 6,000 of those votes. 

The total number of ballots cast in Travis County during the first three days of early voting exceeded the number from the first three days of the 2016 election, according to the Secretary of State. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed voters to vote earlier during the 2020 election with increased access to mail-in ballots. 

The majority of ballots cast at the University have been at the new polling location in the Union, to which voting was relocated due to construction at the Flawn Academic Center, the University said in August. 

Throughout the first three days, voters have consistently waited in line at the Union to cast their votes. 

Mayor Kirk Watson, who is running for re-election this year, voted on campus on the first day of early voting with student organization University Democrats. He held a rally on West Mall on Oct. 22 speaking with David Hogg, co-founder of March for Our Lives, about the 2024 election. 

“I was here yesterday morning and voted here as early as I could vote,” Watson said. “I want to make sure that your future is secure in Austin, Texas.” 

Early voting will continue throughout the week and weekend until Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 5.