After three days of early voting, Republicans hold edge in Florida

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: St. Petersburg Times

TALLAHASSEE — Republicans across Florida have mounted an early lead in returning absentee ballots and are showing up in greater numbers than Democrats since early voting began Monday.

The GOP touted the numbers as a sign of impending victory on Nov. 2. Democrats dismissed it as meaningless after just three days of early voting results.

Florida Republicans have long flexed organizational muscle by requesting and returning mail or absentee ballots in greater numbers than Democrats. But the GOP has not outpaced Democrats in early voting in Florida since it began eight years ago.

Early voting began Oct. 18, and ends Oct. 30 in some counties, Oct. 31 in others.

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/as-early-voting-opens-the-gop-has-an-edge-in-turnout/1129547

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This is what happens when you depress African-American turnout by suggesting that the African-American at the top of the ticket drop out.

[Roland99]

1. I think I've seen a Kendrick Meek ad on TV about 2-3 times

I can't count how many Crist/Rubio ads I've seen.

[Newsjock]

2. Why are these numbers even released ... or relevant?

On Election Day, do we get breathless updates every hour: "Another 72 Republicans and 68 Democrats have voted at Precinct 106E."

[meegbear]

4. I'm thinking the same thing

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. Campaigns and parties use them

Once a person has voted they can stop calling them, and spend time on those who have yet to vote.

[glowing]

3. They tend to be older and get the absentee ballots delivered..

Idiot old people voting against themselves... Maybe some of these Republicans are voting differently given the fool that's running for Govenor.

[wisteria]

5. Do you have proof that the African-American vote is being depressed?

Are there any numbers available from past elections that show the AA population in Florida turns out in large numbers during the period of early voting?

[Historic NY]

7. This is all part to surpress the vote...GOTV & ignore the media.

[bemildred]

8. The numbers in the OP are sort of weird:

You have:

"The early GOP advantage includes a lead of 124,444 in returned absentees and 23,668 in early voters, the Republican Party said. Those figures could validate the so-called enthusiasm gap said to favor the GOP this year."

and:

"Through Wednesday, more than 193,000 people had voted early, including 16,000 voters in Miami-Dade, nearly 15,000 in Broward, 14,000 in Hillsborough and 1,600 in Pinellas."

Are we to assume that of those 193,000 people that voted early 124,444 + 23,668 == 148,132 plus the entire Democratic vote count were Republican? That is one hell of an "edge", something like 170,566(R) to 22,434(D). Are we supposed to believe that, or did the writer mis-speak?

[JDPriestly]

9. Maybe these Republicans plan to vote twice?

I have wondered about the Snow Birds in Florida -- the retired people who live in Florida most of the winter and in the north in the summer. They are the only group I can think of who might manage to vote twice -- by absentee in say New England and by poll voting or absentee in Florida or elsewhere in the south.

Is there any way to check voting rolls and records across state lines?

Most people only have one residence, and that is the only place they can vote. Do you suppose that the Republicans' obsession with voting fraud and voting more than once might be because some of them actually do it?

I have never heard of a Democrat trying to vote twice.

If you register to vote at a new address in the same state, your registration to vote at your old address is cancelled, removed from the list. But if you register to vote om a different state, I'm not sure how that works.

I don't think that very many people are dishonest enough to vote twice, but other than those who have two homes, I don't think it would be possible.

[Iliyah]

10. The Gop Tea Bats

have to counter the positive outlook for Dems by claiming the "excited" gap. I have noticed through the internet articles and news sites that they lean for GOP than Dem. If Dems are doing well it's a fluke if the GOP is it's the BIG E GAP. Oh heck won't they be surprised - LOL

[Bette Noir]

11. There's no guarantee that the Republican ballots returned are marked for Rubio.

They may well be marked for Crist.

[Dr.Phool]

12. No data on "No Party Affiliation "?

I believe that's the largest voting demographic in Florida now.

This is what happens when you have a state Democratic leadership that is so incompetent, it couldn't find it's ass with both hands, a coon hound, and a GPS.

[sinkingfeeling]

13. How do they know that? Exit polls? I early vote in my state and know one ever

asks me what party I'm from or how I voted.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

14. My fiance' lives in Central FL...

And from what she says, the people down there are really sick and fed up with the 'pukes. If they win down there, it will be pretty surprising.

Wait...what AM I saying? No it won't.