Curious - Why the push for early voting?

[Inchworm]

It seems like, in this time of instant "news," doing so gives the other side an advantage toward tweaking their message in the days before Election Day.

I understand "get out and vote" push, but why early?

:shrug:

[Happyhippychick]

1. Lock in a vote when you can. It can rain on election day, lines are long, voters can get sick, etc.

It's the right move in business and in life, don't put off to tomorrow what you can do today.

[Inchworm]

4. I considered the rain

Shooot! I'd get there no matter what. Well, I guess I could have an accident or something.

[Happyhippychick]

7. Don't have an accident, we need the vote! :) j/k

[Inchworm]

23. I'll wear a helmet ;) nt

:rofl:

[RaleighNCDUer]

14. And when you get there, there may be 4 booths to serve 600 voters.

A LOT of people take an extra half-hour or hour off their Tuesday work day to vote, only to find it will take 4-5 hours (and we'll all heard horror stories of it taking 8-10 hours to get to a booth) - and that's more than a minimum wage earner can afford to lose.

Why take the chance?

[Inchworm]

19. I see that point

But, the "push" is what was cornfuzzling me :)

[RaleighNCDUer]

27. Frankly, it confused me too, until the first time I early voted.

My first time (don't you love stories about peoples' first time?) I strolled downtown on my lunch hour a week before the election in 2006. When I got there, there were 8-10 people in front of me. I was in and out in something like 20 minutes - lost no time from work, enjoyed a stroll in the sunshine, didn't feel hurried or hassled, and was surrounded not just be people who were dutifully voting (while checking their watches, chafing at the time) but by people who were anxious to vote, eager to vote, so eager they showed up a week early. There were a lot more smiles, and it was much more relaxed than any voting I'd ever done (other than one mid-term when I was one of only 83 to show up at the polls all day long - there, the people smiling were the poll workers who were just happy to see someone show up).

I've been a big proponent of early voting ever since. You do it on your schedule, when you are relaxed and clear-headed, and if you have a head cold today, you can do it tomorrow.

The push is simply GOTV, knowing that as more people discover how hassle-free early voting is, more people will wind up voting.

[Liberal_in_LA]

39. people get lazy

[SteppingRazor]

2. I don't see how it gives an advantage to only one side in tweaking its message.

Also, early voting means more voters, and more voters is a good thing.

[Happyhippychick]

3. It gives an advantage to the side that is less likely to get up on election day and vote.

That could be the dems this time around since we are the ones in power.

[Inchworm]

11. I meant "other side" mutually

I remember an local election in North Miami where a Hatian-American was running and suprizingly came up high in exit polls on election day.

I also remember "the other" side putting speakers on vehicles and roaming town trying to get out white/black vote to prevent a win for this dude.

Knowing early would have changed the message (sad as the message was) earlier.

[SteppingRazor]

15. OH! Ok, yeah, that makes more sense.

I can see how, from a partisan standpoint, it might not be the best idea if you feel your candidate is ahead. But from a democracy standpoint, the more people that vote, the better, right?

And, hell, even from a partisan Democratic standpoint, higher turnout tends to benefit Democrats, so there's that.

[county worker]

5. The more time people have to vote the better the chance they will vote.

Instead of just one day to rattle their chains we have a couple of weeks.

[Inchworm]

12. That is what I'm thinking from the voter's position

In our case... impulse voting could be bad.

Anyone that has the ability can think it out would vote D anyhow.

[Pathwalker]

6. I am SO jealous of those who get to vote early. Here in Michigan,

we can only vote on Election Day, and I would so love to get it done and over with, instead of waiting and waiting...

[Happyhippychick]

9. I'm going today :) So happy to get it done!

[RaleighNCDUer]

16. I was going to do it today, but forgot to bring my handy voter's guide

to work with me, and I'm a little unsure on the lower tier candidates. But, with early voting, I can just do it Monday instead. I have a LOT of chances between now and election day.

[Inchworm]

18. I will vote with you that day

in NC :)

[BlueDemKev]

33. What about absentee voting?

You can do that. Just say you'll be out of town on election day.

[Pathwalker]

37. I wanted to, but then my sons asked to continue the family tradition of

going and voting as a family, so I relented and agreed to do that, as I originated the tradition. Afterward, we will have a meal together and discuss politics. We always vote Democratic, although they are far more liberal than my husband. It's always been a wonderful experience, even when a local official tried to question my eligibility to vote. They immediately stood behind me, and glowered at him. He knew damn well who I was, too, but gave up quickly when I raised a ruckus. What can I say - it's a very republican area.

[LiberalEsto]

8. I just voted in Maryland

The early voting place was well-staffed, and there were quite a few people voting, but hardly any wait.
This will make things much easier for others on Election Day.

[Happyhippychick]

10. I'm in MD too! Will be going later.

[Inchworm]

20. Great!

Thanks for getting it done :)

[w8liftinglady]

13. It has been HUGE in texas-Repubs are criticizing,so it must be in our favor.

get out the vote,folks.I did it the first day the polls were open.

[Inchworm]

22. I'd say this cycle, early is an advantage to us

I'd like to see Dem vs Rep stats as to WHO early votes, where, reasons.

I'm just curious as to when is it good to push early votes in any election from a consultant's point of view.

[Gothmog]

44. If Dick Armey is against early voting, then it must be good

I saw that Dick Armey is upset with early voting. Based on this recommendation, early voting must be good

[EFerrari]

17. From one perspective, it's harder for the Republicans to suppress

vote by mail and early voting. That's one reason they try to demonize it.

/oops

[Inchworm]

24. True

I guess it "grabs" swing votes more readily... so long as they vote the RIGHT way hehe

:)

[EFerrari]

26. It's also harder to bully people away from the polls if they are voting

at their kitchen table. :)

[Retrograde]

28. Bingo!

You need your goons - excuse me, "Poll Watchers" at the early voting places for a couple of weeks instead of one day, the early voting sites are more likely to be in public buildings like the registrar's office, where they know what they're doing, and people can take their time at their convenience.

I voted by mail last week. With the California ballot now at 5 pages, it's a lot more convenient to read the ballot positions and decide at home.

[Inchworm]

32. I can see this as a GREAT help for judges and such

I usually do all my research and fill in the blanks on election day. With internet as it is now people with less planning can make more informed decisions from home.

:thumbsup:

[ieoeja]

40. At one time they only bothered counting absentee ballots in close elections.

That's why I always encourage Republicans to vote by mail.

[Inchworm]

41. I just asked BoE that very question on phone

That was another fear of mine :P

:hi:

[blogslut]

21. Early voting is a wonderful convenience

You have almost two weeks to do it. You can pick the time that's best for your schedule. You won't feel rushed.

I'm not seeing the down side.

[Inchworm]

25. I get the convenience of it...

I'm wondering what other factors cause "pushes" campaign-wise.

:hi:

PS: I'm starting to understand a bit clearer now

[EC]

29. It will make more habitual voters

if the process is available when it is convenient to the voters life..Like being able to vote on a day off, if you're off during the week and being able to be relaxed...it also feels more secure (at least to me)there are no poll watchers like on election day, no lines and it took me less than 10 minutes...

[Inchworm]

34. Gotcha

Hec, I may early vote after reading all this, for convienience.

I was wondering mostly about factors that create "push" for early voting in any given election.

:)

[ThomWV]

30. That message is rarely sent out to the general public, you'll see it used at rallies for the faithfu

If you've got an audience of the faithful in front of you and you've got them fired up you want to lock their vote in at that moment. There is not telling what might cross their minds next week or if something might stop them from hitting the polls a couple of weeks from now - so get it while the getting is good.

As a public service announcement its a different thing. You only want to get out the vote if your side happens to have the most voters in the area where the message is being put out. Most places that is Democrats but not all, so you rarely see public service announcements to get out the vote and of course the Republicans, who generally are in the minority no matter where you go, would prefer to limit the vote.

[Inchworm]

35. Good sense there

I'm seeing it from the American point of view where I'd prefer to say in general, "I want election turn-out higher than its measly usual of 40-50%."

I get that "GO NOW! YOU LOVE ME" concept too ;)

:thumbsup:

[BlueDemKev]

31. It's like saying "Don't wait until the last day...."

First off, the polls will be FAR MORE crowded on election day than they are on early voting days. Think about the time you'd save.

If you wait until Nov. 2, there's a chance something could come up which would prevent you from getting to the polls that day. For example, a couple weeks ago I woke up in severe pain. I rushed to the E.R. where they gave me some pain medication (kidney stone). A neighbor drove me home and then I decided to take a short nap....when I woke up, it was after 6:30pm (the drugs totally knocked me out!). Suppose that had been election day with the polls closing at 7:00? I would have had 30 minutes to get my groggy self in the car and drive down to my precint...it probably wouldn't have happened.

[Inchworm]

36. Yes, professor

;)

I shall not cram for my exam :rofl:

You all may have convinced me to change my ways and early vote. I just don't wanna give the rethugs any help in doing so.

:)

[Inchworm]

38. UPDATE: Thats it! I'm going now for absentee ballot!!

I guess I worry about campaign strategies too much. I just didn't want to give Rethug consultants any help in their insanity as the Day approaches.

You all rock. Thanks for all the input.

:yourock:

[ieoeja]

42. Voting early is not the same as absentee ballots which they may not count except in close elections.

With early voting, you go to one of the limited number of polls and vote. With absentee, you mail in a ballot that someone then has to enter. And which they will not unless it is a close race.

Or which they may "lose" if their guy is up in a close election.

Only Republicans should vote absentee if they really are able to vote early or on election day instead.

[Gothmog]

43. Helps GOTV-You do not waste time calling someone who has already voted

In Texas we have the Voter Activation Network. After each day of early voting, we get a list of people who have voted. That data is entered into the VAN and we know not to waste time calling someone who has already voted. Early voting makes the GOTV effort more focused and efficient.