Early voting allows voters to cast their ballots before the official Election Day. 30 states allowed early voting in the 2008 election. Early voting reached record numbers in 2008 and will account for about one-third of all votes in the 2008 election, according to estimates as of November 3, 2008.Seattlepi.com: Early voters turn out in record numbers (October 31, 2008)
Pros and Cons
Proponents of early voting believe that it decreases wait times and increases voter turnout. Critics of early voting believe that it increases the chance for voter fraud and may be unfair to voters who cannot vote early.CNN: Early voting suggests 2008 may see record turnout, expert says
Featured Video
Early Voting Blogs and Commentaries
- Washington Post: In Early Voting Trend, Democracy Is the Biggest Loser (October 26, 2008)
References
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Early voting will account for about one-third of all votes in the 2008 election, according to estimates as of November 3, 2008Seattlepi.com: Early voters turn out in record numbers (October 31, 2008)
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States that broke early voting records in 2008 included Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Texas and TennesseeU.S. News & World Report: 5 States That Have Set Early-Voting Records (November 3, 2008)
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23 million people in highly contested states had voted early as of November 3, 2008Voice of America: Early Voting Draws Millions in Key US States (November 3, 2008)
