"I think there will be a decent turnout on Election Day. I think that a lot of Houstonians now who are focused on the race and who will actually go out and vote," said former City Attorney Gene Locke.
Experts have been predicting a lower than expected turnout, and so far that's holding true in the early voting numbers.
In 2003, during the last openly contested mayoral election, 76,285 early votes were cast. This year, the number is down to 71,368. Absentee ballots are holding a similar trend with 17,583 in 2003, and so far just 10,759 this year.
"The early vote shows that the vote is a little down than in 2003, but in the end we may have a large turnout on Election Day," said Hector de Leon of the Office of the Harris County Clerk.
The clerk's office says as the race among Gene Locke, Peter Brown, Roy Morales and Annise Parker has heated up, that turnout may increase for Election Day. But not every mayoral candidate is worried.
"I have a strong and deep base of community support. It really doesn't impact me whether it's a low turnout or a high turnout," said Parker.
Polls are open from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday.
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