Early voting turnout in Texas is slightly down compared to the 2020 presidential election, with 15.1% of registered voters participating so far. The state has more registered voters than ever, but turnout is lower due to fewer early voting days and less emphasis on mail-in ballots. Denton and Fort Bend counties have seen record turnout, while Dallas, El Paso, and Harris counties have experienced declines. This trend is concerning for Texas Democrats, as more Republicans are voting early based on past voting history. The article suggests that both parties need to work hard to mobilize their voters before Election Day.

The Texas Senate race in District 27 is highly competitive, with Democrat Morgan LaMantia seeking reelection against Republican Adam Hinojosa. The district, redrawn to be more competitive, has seen significant political dynamics, including increased voter turnout expected in a presidential election year. LaMantia, backed by substantial family funding, faces a rematch with Hinojosa, who has gained endorsements from conservative figures like Eddie Lucio Jr. The race also features Green Party candidate Robin Lee Vargas, potentially influencing the outcome. The election is symbolic for Republicans aiming to strengthen their influence in South Texas, despite not altering the overall Senate balance.

Todd Smith, a former political consultant for Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, pleaded guilty to commercial bribery, avoiding a jury trial. Smith was accused of soliciting money to secure an exclusive hemp license from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The plea deal includes a two-year deferred adjudication, after which the case will be dismissed. Smith's past controversies include allegations of soliciting money for appointments and his wife's appointment to a high-paying department role. Miller previously suggested the indictment was politically motivated.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has been subpoenaed to testify in the criminal trial of his former political consultant, Todd Smith, who faces charges of theft and commercial bribery related to state hemp licenses. Smith, previously arrested for allegedly taking $55,000 in a scheme to secure exclusive hemp licenses, has a history of controversial conduct linked to the Department of Agriculture. Miller, a strong Trump ally, suggested the indictment was politically motivated. The trial is set in Travis County District Court, with Miller ordered to testify on October 21.

Barry Wernick, a Republican candidate for the Texas House of Representatives, is requesting a recount in his narrow loss to incumbent Rep. Morgan Meyer for House District 108, citing alleged irregularities with the voting software used by the Dallas County Elections Department. Wernick, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, claims the software was not lawfully certified. The department refutes these claims, asserting the equipment was certified and results were updated hourly. The recount request is seen as a move to protect future elections and benefit Republicans in upcoming elections. If the result stands, Meyer will face Democrat Elizabeth Ginsberg in November.

Early voting in North Texas has been notably slow compared to previous primaries, with only about 6% of voters casting ballots as of Thursday afternoon. This is a significant drop from the 11% turnout in the 2020 primary and over 9% in 2016. Approximately 231,000 voters in Dallas, Denton, Collin, and Tarrant Counties have voted early in person. Dallas has the lowest turnout, with less than 5% of voters casting early ballots. Texans will vote next week to decide on presidential candidates, as well as candidates for the U.S. Senate, House, and state representatives.

Ground Game Texas is actively gathering signatures to place the Dallas Freedom Act on the November ballot, aiming to decriminalize low-level marijuana offenses in Dallas. Despite a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against cities with similar ordinances, the group remains undeterred, viewing the legal actions as an attack on local democracy. The initiative has seen significant support from Dallas residents, with a notable decrease in marijuana-related arrests reported by the city's Office of Community Police Oversight. The effort highlights ongoing tensions between state law and local governance in Texas.

Support for Texas secession, or 'Texit,' remains low but is growing, driven by frustration with the federal government among some Texans. The Texas Nationalist Movement, which has been advocating for secession for nearly two decades, recently gathered 140,000 signatures to put the issue on the GOP primary ballot, though it was rejected by the state Republican party. The movement taps into a sentiment of state autonomy and dissatisfaction with national politics. Despite historical and legal challenges, proponents believe Texit could gain traction, with plans to reintroduce the Texas Independence Referendum Act in 2025. The article highlights the perspectives of various stakeholders, including political science experts and local politicians, on the implications and future of the secessionist movement.

The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing over $290,000 in fines against Sherwin-Williams due to an explosion at a paint factory in Garland last August, which injured an employee and released chemicals into the environment. OSHA cited the company for serious violations, including improper chemical storage and insufficient employee training. Sherwin-Williams faces a repeat violation fine of $161,310 and additional penalties for other violations. The company has the option to contest the findings or pay the fines within 15 business days.

The Texas Supreme Court denied the Texas Nationalist Movement's request to intervene after Republican Party officials rejected a ballot measure asking if Texas should secede from the U.S. The TNM argued that state GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi had no discretion to reject the signatures collected for the measure, but the court declined to take up the filing. TNM President Daniel Miller stated that the group would continue to pursue legal actions to ensure Texans can vote on the issue. The GOP cited concerns over election integrity, while the TNM argued that electronic signatures should be valid under state law.