Early Voting Trends Nationwide

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Posted: 1:51 PM Oct 31, 2008 Early Voting Trends Nationwide As of Halloween, millions of Americans have already cast their ballots. And we're getting some possible clues about how the race may be going. You hear both Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama urging supporters to vote early. So far, some 17 million people in more than thirty states have already voted, either in person or by mail. Reporter: CNN

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October 31, 2008

As of Halloween, millions of Americans have already cast their ballots.
And we're getting some possible clues about how the race may be going.

You hear both Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama urging supporters to vote early. So far, some 17 million people in more than thirty states have already voted, either in person or by mail.

Paul Gronke, Executive Director of the Early Voting Information Center at Reed University says, " The levels are really shocking. They've broken records in virtually every state or jurisdiction that has early voting."

Of the early vote states--political watchers say Florida and North Carolina remain unpredictable. Both states track a voter's party--not, of course, the actual vote. So getting a clear read is impossible. Still, new trends are emerging, say two election experts in North Carolina.

Michael McDonald of the U.S. Elections Project says, "We're seeing African Americans, which is unusual because they generally turn out Election Day, not early voting."

As a result of North Carolina election laws, 100,000 people not previously on the voter rolls have been able to register and vote the same day.

In Florida, the experts say they are seeing a difference in early voting patterns between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats go to the polls---while early mail-in ballots have leaned more heavily Republican.

Michael McDonald says, "We're seeing similar patterns - 2 to 1 democrat advantage in person, but republicans hold their own in mail 3 to 2."

And in case you're wondering why campaigns have been urging people to vote early, Paul Gronke says, "You don't want it to be 2 days before the election and you are still trying to get your base out. You got to be focused on those undecideds- those independents."

Latest Comments

Posted by: John Afraidi Location: ONTARIO, CA on Oct 31, 2008 at 02:43 PM

It is very clear now that Obama, the great kid will win the jackpot on coming Tuesday and the old man, whose hands are tight, mind is tight, heart is tight and legs are tight will lose the election with at least 15% points. McCain will lose the election in many republican States and may be able to get less than 130 delegates. Sharah Palin is the biggest drag on his campaign, it shows that he is too old to take right decision. After the election McCain will retire in Arizona desert and enjoy her wife's million of dollars, Palin will back to Wasila, she will be removed from her Governorship and apply for welfare and food stamps untill she find wolf, moose or polar bear to hunt.

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