AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Though Election Day is still weeks away, voters will start heading to the polls Monday as early voting begins.

Voters bringing their registration cards will not need a photo ID.

There isn’t expected to be much suspense in the votes for president and U.S. Senate. Republicans Mitt Romney and Ted Cruz are heavily favored to win the state. But important contests abound down the ballot.

A huge swath of the state stretching from San Antonio to just outside El Paso will decide an important contest for U.S. House. Republican U.S. Rep. Quico Canseco is trying to hold onto his seat against Democratic state Rep. Pete Gallego.

South of Houston, voters are choosing a successor to U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.

An all-time high of 13.64 million Texans are registered to vote.

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