Bexar County Achieves 527,000 Early Ballots for Key Midterm Referendums as San Antonio Closes Collins Garden Branch for Upgrades

Bexar County Sets Record 39% Early Voter Participation Ahead of General Election

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Polling stations throughout San Antonio and Bexar County processed heavy voter turnout on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Elections Administrator staff reported that 527,000 early and mail-in ballots had been cast prior to Election Day—representing roughly 39% of registered voters and setting an all-time record for a midterm cycle.

In addition to the closely monitored Texas U.S. Senate contest, local voters cast ballots on San Antonio Proposition A, a high-profile municipal referendum proposing to reauthorize the successful 1/8-cent local sales tax dedicating millions annually to the acclaimed Pre-K 4 SA early childhood education initiative.

Alamo Historical Grounds Uphold 'Rules of Reverence' Following Bus Tour Reroute

Historic preservation took center stage downtown on Monday, November 2, following campaign schedule modifications for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton. A planned Alamo plaza appearance was canceled after Alamo Trust curators and city officials reaffirmed the landmark’s strict 'Rules of Reverence,' which prohibit partisan political campaigning and candidate staging on the consecrated grounds of the historic mission and battle shrine.

Visitors and international tourists praised the preservation protocols, which maintain the reverent memorial atmosphere of the 18th-century sanctuary while extensive Alamo Plan museum construction progresses along Alamo Plaza.

San Antonio Public Library Prepares Collins Garden Branch for Major HVAC Overhaul

The City of San Antonio announced that the Collins Garden Branch Library and District 5 Field Office on Nogalitos Street will temporarily suspend operations starting Wednesday, November 4, following final services on Tuesday. The planned three-month closure enables a comprehensive HVAC modernization and energy-efficiency retrofit, with interim library and internet services redirected to the nearby Palm Heights Community Center.

Weather across South Texas transitioned into crisp autumn conditions on Tuesday afternoon as an overnight cold front cleared out morning mist, yielding sunny skies and mild temperatures for evening election queues.