Election signs are posted outside of the HUB voting location in Tyler on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.

Despite a global pandemic and a postponement of the election, about 67% more voters came out during the July 14 primary runoff elections in Smith County to select winners for constables, a district judge and party nominees for statewide races, according to unofficial election returns.

The runoff elections, which were originally scheduled for May 26, were set for July 14 out of concern for the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, more people came to the polls in Smith County for early voting, mail-in ballots and in both Republican and Democratic primaries.

A total of 16,472 people voted this year in either party’s primary runoff, while 9,828 voters came out to the polls in 2016, according to current election returns.

Early voting was also about five times higher compared to four years ago with 8,489 in 2020 to 1,638 votes in 2016. Mail-in ballot usage saw a small uptick of 50.

On Election Day, voting was down slightly in this year’s runoff by 229 with 6,082 people voting in 2016 compared to 5,833 in 2020.

Republican primary runoff voting rose by 26.85% in Smith County with 11,820 this year and 9,318 four years ago. Democratic primary runoff votes are over nine times higher with 4,652 votes this year compared to 510.

Votes for the 2020 runoff have to be canvassed before becoming official. Right now, election returns are considered complete but unofficial.

As early voting came to a close, Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson said numbers were very strong for this runoff despite the COVID-19 concerns.

She noted that voters have been complimentary of the safety measures put in place, such as following social distancing guidelines while waiting in line and casting ballots.

People were also given disposable swabs and gloves to use on voting machines. All voters were encouraged to wear face masks.

“The high turnout in this election has shown us that we need to secure more than enough PPE and cleaning supplies for the General election as soon as this runoff is over,” Nelson said. “Planning for more will be key in assuring that we have all of the safety supplies in place for the General Election.”

This year, Austin Reeve Jackson won Republican primary runoff for the 114th District Court judge seat. He is not facing a Democratic challenger in November. Incumbent Christi Kennedy is retiring.

Incumbent Josh Joplin won the Republican nomination for Smith County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. He is not facing a Democratic challenger in November. In January, his second term will begin.

Curtis Traylor won the Democratic primary runoff race for Smith County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office. Traylor placed third in the contest in March, but Willie Mims, who won 51% percent of the vote was ruled ineligible and the contest went to a runoff between appointed constable Bobby Garmon and Traylor.

There is no Republican challenger in November.

MJ Hegar defeated Royce West in the runoff for the Democratic nomination in the U.S Senate race. Hegar will face Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in November, according to the Texas Tribune

Chrysta Castenada defeated Roberto R. “Beto” Alonzo for the Democratic nomination to face off against Republican primary winner James “Jim” Wright in November, according to the Texas Tribune.

In the 2016 runoff, the only Smith County local race was for the Republican nomination for precinct 4 constable. Other Republican runoffs were statewide seats and some state senators and representatives.

The 2016 Democratic runoff race was voting for the party’s nominee for railroad commissioner.

2020 November General Election Local Contested Races

US Representative, District 1

• Louie Gohmert (R)
• Hank Gilbert (D)

U.S. Representative, District 5

• Lance Gooden (R)
• Carolyn Salter (D)

State Senator, District 1

• Bryan Hughes (R)
• Audrey Spanko (D)

State Representative, District 2

• Bryan Slaton (R)
• Bill Brannon (D)

State Representative, District 5

• Cole Hefner (R)
• Lawyanda Prince (D)

State Representative, District 6

• Matt Schaefer (R)
• Julie Gobble (D)

Smith County Precinct 1 Commissioner

• Neal Franklin (R)
• Peter Milne (D)

Smith County Precinct 3 Commissioner

• Terry Phillips (R)
• Laura Alexander (D)

A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the voting numbers for 2016 runoff early voting and total election numbers. In 2016 runoffs, 9,828 voted in total, and 1,638 voted during early voting.