Record numbers of Texans turned out on Monday for the first day of early voting — numbers that were particularly concentrated in several of the state’s blue-leaning urban and suburban counties.

Early voting is now underway in Texas, with a broad range of items on this year’s ballot, including the election of the 47th U.S. President, Texas' U.S. Senator, and local government officials, along with various ballot measures across the state.

With his execution looming last Thursday, the 57-year-old Texas death row inmate watched as his attorneys’ legal arguments were rejected in the courts and his pleas for clemency disregarded, as the state parole board declined to recommend he receive a lesser sentence or reprieve.

Robert Roberson, whose execution was postponed last week, had been subpoenaed to appear before a committee of the State House. A juror from his trial says she now believes he is innocent.

Death row inmate Robert Roberson didn't appear before Texas state lawmakers after his execution was halted last week.

Robert Roberson was scheduled to appear Monday before a Texas House committee after a last-ditch subpoena forestalled his execution last week. Instead, “Dr. Phil” McGraw and best-selling author John Grisham testified about Roberson’s murder conviction linked to a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.