• 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)

• 1. Includes absentee ballots and other ballotsCNN: Early voting suggests 2008 may see record turnout, expert says
  2. 30 states allow early votingCNN: Early voting suggests 2008 may see record turnout, expert says
  3. Early voting reached record numbers in 2008Seattlepi.com: Early voters turn out in record numbers (October 31, 2008)
  4. 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)
  5. In 2004, about 22% of voters voted earlySeattlepi.com: Early voters turn out in record numbers (October 31, 2008)
  6. Polls suggest more Democrats are voting early than RepublicansSeattlepi.com: Early voters turn out in record numbers (October 31, 2008)
  7. African-Americans are voting early at a higher rate than whitesSeattlepi.com: Early voters turn out in record numbers (October 31, 2008)
  8. 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)
  9. 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)

• 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

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