Will the weather make a difference? What about absentee ballots?

[question everything]

When I lived in California the percentage of absentee ballots was growing every election cycle. Indeed, many candidates and proponents of ballot initiatives encouraged voters to vote absentee. This way you did not have to worry about last minute obstacles to casting the votes.

Once the polls were closed, the absentee ballots were first to be counted and posted and often would indicate the direction of the final vote.

You obviously cannot do it on caucuses but should on primaries.

How common is it to vote absentee in N.H.?

[MaineDem]

1. I don't know how common it is in NH

I bet it's fairly consistent with a national average.

Then again, people in NH are used to the weather and this primary is a social event in many communities.

Here in Maine we can vote absentee for our caucuses.

[Journeyman]

2. Will the weather make a difference?

Traditionally, Republicans turn out in inclement weather while Democrats are hurt by it. I'm curious this year, especially since there was such an unexpectedly large turnout in Iowa, whether the New Hampshire voters will "buck the trend" and turn out in force despite foul weather. It will certainly bode ill for Republican hopes in November if they do.

[Lady President]

3. Good question

I think the number of absentee voters will depend on how complicated they make the process in NH. I used to vote absentee during college and Ohio's process was complicated enough to discourage voters. If there are a lot of hoops to jump through, I would imagine it would be primarily older voters who feel a sense of duty to vote who will cast absentee ballots.

The interesting question is when did the people return their absentee ballots. If they were sent in a week or more ago, it could be an advantage for Dean who was so far ahead in the polls then. Also, because Gephardt was quite popular with seniors, he may have received quite a few early votes.