'People are showing up like there is no tomorrow'

[NoPasaran]

Whether they are motivated to vote early because of the tight race for the White House or simply to avoid long lines on Nov. 2, Texas voters, including those in Central Texas, are turning out in record numbers.

In the first three days of early voting, the number of ballots cast in the state's 15 most populous counties is almost triple the number in the same period in 2000. The Texas secretary of state's office reported that 445,066 people voted in those counties, which include Travis. In the 2000 presidential election, 132,520 people voted in the first three days.

In Travis County, the number of voters more than doubled — 48,657 in the first three days this year and 17,373 in 2000, according to the county clerk's office. Williamson County saw a similar increase, with 15,953 voting in the same period compared with 5,724 in 2000.

At a UT voting place, more than 2,600 people cast ballots during the first two days compared with 133 in the last presidential election, according to county clerk numbers.

-more-

http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/election/10/22EARLYVOTERS_rs.html

[demnan]

1. Simple

if Bush wins there may be no tomorrow.

[CoolOnion]

13. Just what I was thinking.

[Florida_Geek]

2. Maybe a trip to Texas would be good

for Kerry.... Sounds like the Anybody but Bush crowd is voting in record numbers.

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. Oh how I wish!

That would be awesome!

[rocktivity]

3. Great news for us!!!

The bigger the turnout, the better Kerry's chances. And I think a campagin stop in Texas is a wonderful idea, FL_Geek!

:headbang:
rocknation

[Princess Buttercup]

8. I would love to see Kerry in Texas ...

My husband skipped class and got sunburned to see Bill Clinton on the UT campus in 1992 and we still have the sign from that rally. (I had to work--how unfair is that?) I stood in line twice last February to get tickets to see the Big Dog at the Erwin Center, which was awesome. Look at the crowds Dean got in Texas. I know Kerry needs to be in Ohio and Pennsylvania, etc., but what a slap in the face for * to have a big pro-Kerry rally on his (alleged) home turf.

[ChickMagic]

10. Welcome to DU!

:bounce:

[byronm]

4. i would love

to see kerry "cary" texas :)

[JuniorPlankton]

5. *'s win

means no tomorrow!

:kick:

[mhr]

6. Remember That Bush Can Win Texas But It Will Not Help Him

Win the nation.

This is where the electoral college helps our guy.

Let the Fundies vote in record numbers; it won't matter for the final outcome.

[NoPasaran]

7. I hope you don't think that all these record numbers are for *

Because I can assure you that Texas Democrats have never made such an effort to register new voters and GOTV as this year.

[fudge stripe cookays]

9. Hi Mark!

Didja get your invite? Just checking!

:-)
FSC

[mhr]

14. Hi Fudge Stripe - I Have Not Seen It Yet.

Been very busy with early voting.

[fudge stripe cookays]

15. So I hear!

Check yer e-mail!

I wanted to bring a physical one by, but came down with a bronchial infection this week, and it's slowed me down a bunch.

FSC

[sonias]

11. We rock!!

The numbers are great, the story is great, and the effort to get out the vote has been great. I have never seen this party so united in Travis. I am so excited.

The UT story is the most impressive to me. This is the crucial youth vote. The UT Dems and the coordinated campaign registered 7,000 UT students and they are obviously voting. That drafty bu$h message surely woke them up. Rock the Vote registered thousands more that we don't even have numbers for.

Today's Get Out the Vote Effort - Tune in to the news at 5:00 p.m.
We had a wonderful turnout for, a mini get out the vote, flash mob at noon today. Some 200 people came out with signs and stood on a four corner intersection where Travis country was ripped apart into 3 congressional districts by DeLay and his repukes thugs.

Vote Jack Stick and Todd Baxter out, these guys tore up this city and we will never forget or forgive.

No retreat baby, no surrender!

Sonia

[Pikku]

16. It's all over the state.

From the local Gannett scandal rag:

From June until October this year, nearly 3,000 U.S. citizens age 18 registered to vote in El Paso. The number prompts elections officials to speculate that young people may be more inclined to cast ballots this November. (voter registration hit a new record this year in El P.)
...
During the first two days of early voting this year, on Monday and Tuesday, an average of 8,565 ballots were cast countywide -- a 55 percent increase over the average daily early-voting ballots cast in the 2000 election.
http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/borderland/20041021-183854.shtml

El Paso is one of the most "Dem" parts of Texas.:headbang:

I voted today, mid-day on a weekday, and I had to stand in line. My friend and I were talking about how Kerry might not take Texas, but he's going to give bush a hell of a shock. Instead of 70/30, we may be seeing 55/45.