On an overcast and drizzly day in much of Texas, early voting for the 2020 primary elections in some of the state’s most populous counties was up over turnout four years ago, despite warnings by political watchers that an ever-shifting Democratic presidential race might keep some voters at home as they wait for other states’ results.

By about 6 p.m., almost 7,000 people in Tarrant County had cast ballots, already more than the 6,908 that voted on the first day of early voting in the 2016 primaries.

In Harris County, by poll closing, 18,301 people had voted across 52 early voting locations, more than two times as many as the 7,840 in-person ballots cast on the first day of the 2016 primaries' early voting.

In Bexar, 8,339 had voted in person by Tuesday evening — up from 6,118 from Day 1 of early voting in 2016. By end of day, 7,034 had voted in-person in Travis County, up from 4,984 in 2016.

There were little to no wait times throughout the day at polling places across Harris and Travis counties.

Problems at polling sites were minimal on Day 1. Anthony Gutierrez, executive director of Common Cause Texas, a nonprofit that runs a nonpartisan voter protection program, said polling place monitors had not reported any widespread issues.

One polling site in the Dallas-area city of Denton had some machine issues that delayed its opening time, and a Houston-area site in the Kashmere Gardens neighborhood had some traffic issues as voters entered and exited, he said.

“The rest has been pretty run of the mill — people answering basic voting questions, complaints about too many campaign signs at certain sites,” Gutierrez said.

Know the candidates: Houston Chronicle 2020 primary election voter guide; San Antonio Express-News 2020 primary election voter guide

Some Democrats may be staying away from the polls as they hold out for the results of upcoming primaries in Nevada on Feb. 22 and South Carolina on Feb. 29, said Renee Cross, senior director at the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs.

Primary outcomes have the potential to upend the dynamics of a race. After the New Hampshire alone last week, three candidates — former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. Michael Bennet and Andrew Yang — dropped out.

“Given the volatility of this primary for the Democrats, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a much higher than usual strategic voter turnout,” Cross said.

For subscribers: Brisk turnout reported at Bexar County early voting sites

Cross added that the decision about whether to head to the polls while lines are still short or wait will likely depend on a voter’s passion for his or her candidate.

“The Bernie folks, they’re going to be out; they’re going to vote for him regardless,” Cross said. “But particularly those that are in the more moderate lane, (Pete) Buttigieg or (Joe) Biden or (Amy) Klobuchar, I think you’re going to see a lot more trepidation about getting out and voting before those two other primaries.”

Texas Democratic Party spokesman Abhi Rahman said he expects turnout during early voting to exceed 2016 levels, the party’s goal this year. As for whether to wait or vote now, Rahman said it’s a personal decision.

“We have great candidates,” Rahman said. “Really, whatever people decide to do they need to make the best decision for themselves.”

Republican Party of Texas spokesman Sam Pohl was similarly optimistic.

“We’re confident Republican voter turnout was strong,” Pohl said. “Republicans are excited to vote this cycle.”