What are the advantages to voting early?

[Brotherjohn]

Gore was out there yesterday urging people (especially in FL, my state), to vote early. What advantage is offered by doing so?

I should note that my county uses a paper ballot read by optical scanner, so there IS a paper trail.

[Goldmund]

1. Well, if you vote early, then you're sure to have voted, for one

Two, it means shorter lines on Tuesday, and therefore, again, more people voting.

It comes down to this -- the more people vote, the better it is for the Dems. That's why the Republicans are engaged in voter supression, even if not demographically targeted.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

3. Yeah,

that was my reason for voting early. Long lines discourage new voters from the polls so the more people that vote early, the shorter the line will be on election day.

[sonicx]

2. yup, if people work on election day, they have extra time.

and more people vote overall (hopefully).

[Southpaw Bookworm]

4. Just a few thoughts

I believe early voting is aimed at folks like the elderly and the disabled for whom transportation is an issue, or those with strange work schedules, like my friend the flight attendant. Voting early ensures that a last-minute issue -- like a ride who can't pick you up, or a sudden work trip, won't prevent you from voting.

I think the other issue is that is shines the light on intimidation efforts BEFORE the actual election day, when there's still time for it to matter. So many people were turned away from the polls in 2000 in Florida, and all those votes were lost.

[Czolgosz]

5. VOTE EARLY because (1) you can help out at a poll on 11/2 (2) in

case something happens -- meltdown at work, unscheduled trip out of town, lines too long on 11/2 and you have somewhere you have to be -- and then you don't have to worry about being disenfranchised, (3) if the Republicannibals try to eat your vote you have a few days to straighten out the situation so you are not disenfranchised, and most importantly (4) there will be a shortage of ballots and incredibly longs lines at many polling places on 11/2 -- it happens every year and so it is especially sure to happen this year -- so you want to get your vote counted before the Republicannibals start eating votes and intimidating voters.

[Infomaniac]

6. Voting early...

Voting early means less chance of falling prey to Election Day dirty tricks. There have been posts here at DU about the repukes taking all the parking spaces near polling places in democratic-leaning areas and various other scenarios. There's also a large turnout expected so the polls may be swamped on November 2nd.

[Shoeempress]

7. Less likely to have registration challenged as there are fewer people

there, you can work on getting vote out on election day, you can strike up conversations with strangers abut having voted, and encourage them to do the same, (If they are doing, wearing or driving anything which gives you the idea they are pro-Kerry), Start drinking earlier on 11/2 having voted.

[murphymom]

8. Another advantage

If for some reason there's a problem with your registration, you have a chance to get it fixed before election day so you can vote.

[central scrutinizer]

9. the most important reason:

At least here in Oregon, once your vote has arrived, your name is ticked off the list and the GOTV drives then know you have already voted. Thus they can concentrate their time and energy on those who have not voted. I voted eleven days ago and have not received a single call from a GOTV volunteer. That is also a benefit - no calls during dinner.

[LittleClarkie]

10. You'll avoid the lines on November 2

since this will probably be a heavy turnout year.

Plus you can help get out the vote on November 2.

[stubertmcfly]

11. yup

1) you are SURE you have voted in case something happens that prevents you from doing so later (sick kid, storm, jefferson's bonanza on TNT)

2) it decreases the lines on election day (so more people can vote!)

3) allows you to free up your time on election day to help get others to the polls

4) instant gratification... why wait for something so satisfying when you can do it now!

[JusticeForAll]

12. If you die before Election Day

Your vote still counts.

Just go vote.

Please.

[Brotherjohn]

13. Thanks for the input, folks! I'll try to get downtown this week! (nt)