McLennan County heads into Election Day on Tuesday after setting a midterm election record of more than 56,000 in-person early voters.
That’s more early voters than showed up in 2018. In that year Texas Democrats were excited about electing Beto O’Rourke as U.S. senator. This time, heavy turnout across Texas is riding on Democrats’ enthusiasm for Senate candidate James Talarico – and Republicans’ determination to stop him.
KWBU and The Waco Bridge spoke to voters last week at early voting centers in East Waco and West Waco about what mattered to them as they cast their ballots.
Immigration at front of mind for some
Katy Gunter, 20, voted for the second time during the 2026 midterm election. During early voting, she said she leans conservative largely on the issue of immigration.
“There’s not an issue with immigration, in my opinion. I would just say it all needs to be done legally to keep the United States safe, because it’s a privilege to come here,” Gunter explained. “So I think if you’re not born here, you should go through the process of becoming a citizen.”
Nelissa Ramirez, 31, is also keeping a close eye on immigration policies when choosing candidates to vote for.
“ My husband is a DACA recipient and I really wanted to be sure that I showed up to vote for a lot of people who just can't vote or don't have a voice to vote,” Ramirez said.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program has faced legal challenges and increased scrutiny from the Trump administration. Ramirez said that gives her pause when casting her ballot.
“ I'm definitely looking at each candidate and figuring out what is it that this person thinks about DACA,” she said. “What types of things are they wanting to create, or do they have in mind when we're talking about a pathway to citizenship.”
Education, equity at forefront of policies
John and Taylor Edwards stopped at the Waco Multi-Purpose Community Center to cast their ballots on the last morning of early voting in the 2026 midterm elections.
Taylor, a social worker, said she’s focused on providing funding and opportunities for those most disadvantaged members of the Waco community.
“Are monies and policies being written that are going to fund local Head Starts, that are going to provide children a head start in their education and their life, so that they can have equal opportunities as other students?” she said.
John, a barber, said it could be easy for him to align his vote with Republican candidates that promise tax breaks for small-business owners. But he chose to look out for his fellow voters.
“I’m all about looking out for not just myself, for other people as well,” John said. “I vote for the sake of others, I vote for the sake of myself, and I vote for the sake of our future.”
‘Civic duty’ fulfilled
Randy and Bobbie Bills have voted in every election since 1972, the year after the 26th Amendment lowered the national voting age to 18.
“We vote in every election,” Randy said. “Otherwise you don’t get a say in what happens.”
“There are some people on this planet that don’t have that privilege,” Bobbie added.
Camden Gerick, 21, said he was voting with an eye on the future. Gerick has voted in all the major elections since his 18th birthday, including the 2024 presidential elections.
“I feel like it’s a civil duty. It’s a right that I have as an American citizen to come out and vote and voice my opinion,” Gerick said.
Editors Note: This story was produced in collaboration with the Waco Bridge. The Waco Bridge's Justin Hamel contributed to this story.
