Early voting could go nationwide, experts say

[depakid]

Source: CNN

- The unexpected wave of millions of early voters casting ballots for Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama may prompt Congress to mandate some form of early voting nationwide for future elections, experts say.

So far, more than 24.4 million voters have cast ballots in states where early voting is allowed, providing convenience for voters and, in theory, rescuing poll workers from an overwhelming turnout on Tuesday. This historic election is expected to fuel congressional support for a law that allows voters to cast early ballots without providing an excuse, said the director of the nonpartisan Early Voting Institute, professor Paul Gronke.

In many states that require a reason for early voting, mail-in voters must provide election officials with a formal excuse explaining why they cannot vote on Election Day. They often must obtain signatures from notaries or physicians before they can be granted a ballot.

"It is almost certain that after the election there will be legislation proposed in the next session of Congress that will mandate no-excuse absentee balloting nationwide," said Gronke. "This will especially be the case if Democrats take the White House."

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/03/early.voting/?iref=mpstoryview

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Why not just do it right and adopt the inexpensive, accountable, hassle free/high turnout Oregon system?

Proven safe & reliable for close to 10 years running...

Even the Washington Post agrees:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40032-2004Dec31.html

[SoCalNative]

1. I agree

ALL elections in EVERY state should be vote by mail only.

[VeraAgnes]

9. Not mail only.......

Early voting at the County Board of Elections...........for at least a month and, and lets not forget the one-stop voter registration with vote.

[baldguy]

2. The Oregon system won't be adopted for the same reason early voting won't.

The GOP doesn't want high turnouts.

[BrklynLiberal]

11. But after tomorrow they will not have a say in the matter...

[4lbs]

14. In addition, it essentially renders the last several weeks in October meaningless for campaigning

because people will have already voted.

[DS1]

3. Of course it "could'

:eyes:

[TheWraith]

4. I still prefer New York's classic system.

We have these wonderful lever machines that are scientifically proven to be the fastest, easiest, most reliable, and most fraud-resistent system used for voting today. If we combined that with early voting, even just a week or so of it, I think it would be nearly the perfect system.

Of course, we're going to go to optical scan models soon. :P

[depakid]

5. I missed going to the polling place and punching the cards- for the first year or two

Now I think- damn, I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore!

And where we voted, there was never much of a line to speak of. 15 minutes at most.

[TheWraith]

19. I still relish the election-day experience.

Complete with bringing cookies to the little old ladies, and getting the "I Voted Today" sticker.

[surrealAmerican]

16. You still use those?

I loved those old machines. Then I moved to Chicago where it was all punch-cards. Now it's opti-scan or touch screen (voter's choice).

[TheWraith]

18. This is supposed to be the last year we have them...

...They've already got some of the new optical scan machines for handicapped use, which look like the unholy lovechild of Darth Vader and a Xerox copier. I'm rather hoping that with Obama in office there's changes made to HAVA that'll let us keep and/or update our old system.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

6. That would be cool.

I won't hold my breath, but I'd like to see it happen.

[Alcibiades]

7. In NC, our early voting is working well

41% turnout already. We will set a turnout record. It has been a big advantage for obama. Early voting + optical scan paper ballots has worked well for us in Durham.

All states will have to do this. If the states that holdout are Republican, it will paradoxically give them a disadvantage. Also, more and more voters are finding it convenient, and folks will not want to go back to the old way, which was devised back in the horse and buggy days. Rhetorically, opposing this is being opposed to voting, and republicans must favor voting, if only in theory, even if they are the monarchical party in reality.

[happygoluckytoyou]

8. when "THE MASSES" care enough to VOTE... we can affect change---CLASS WARFARE? Damn Straight!

[BrklynLiberal]

10. That would be great..for everyone. I think Congress should mandate it.

I believe it could put a big crimp in voter suppression as well...

[ooglymoogly]

12. Imo voting should be done as much as possible over the internet

Paypal and on line banks manage to verify identity with little problem. That would take the pressure off the polling places and allow far more folks to vote. But then the pugs would never allow that. Far too simple. Their cheating is facilitated by as much smoke and mirrors and confusion as they can manufacture.

[Earth_First]

13. Are you KIDDING me?

This is a 'Pugs' wet dream!

You cannot seriously believe that you can trust an online system of voting?!

[Pacifist Patriot]

15. Ew! That thought managed to nearly upend an already uneasy stomach.

[Trajan]

21. Paypal and banks are generally reputable ...

You cannot say the same for GOP members ....

NO WAY should we do that ...

[Carolann]

17. Early Voting

I'm from Wisconsin where early voting is allowed (and encouraged this year). Both my husband & I voted early and feel like little kids who got a look at the Christmas gifts a week early! We plan on spending the evening eatin' popcorn, watchin' T.V., and doing some early partying. Early voting works! It brings people to the polls on days they have open; it encourages voter registration for the 'fraidy cats; and it allows people like me to haul around the elderly gettin' 'em "to the polls on time" (to paraphrase an old song). Our City Clerk told me that I was the 1000th early voter LAST Monday (and this from a county of 75,000 people!). She was delighted that Election Day might even be a manageable affair this year and I was delighted that I didn't have to lie about why I was voting early. A win/win situation if ever there was one!

[Trajan]

20. Im with you Depakid ....

Oregon's voting system is IDEAL ....

You have time to ponder over your ballot ... investigate and study the initiatives ... evaluate the candidates and the issues .... over a cup of morning coffee in your own home ....

And then lick the stamp and send it on it's way ...

Voting is so easy here ....

My boys first election too ... We dropped both in the mailbox ....

[sarcasmo]

22. Kick.