Why do people keep blaming this on early voting? Early voting has nothing to do with it. This is a scam perpetrated through the use of absentee and provisional ballots.
Early votes have to be stored. At that point anything can happen. In the Fla and Az early voting Reps were up for the first time in forever. How has that worked out. NY does not have early voting. Why is it necessary? Additionally, early voting results in votes people might want back. If you vote for X on Oct 5 and on Oct 23 it is revealed he lied about his military service, you are stuck with that vote. If there is genuine need to be away or unavailable on election day then that is what absentee ballots are for.
And actually Dems should be also be opposed. Early voting was rare in 2000. Had there been then W likely wins without any argument as he was up 5 points in the polls and then six days before election his DWI hits the headlines.