Posted on 10/25/2010 9:00:00 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
(Reuters) - Democrats are off to a stronger than expected start in early voting despite months of dire predictions about their lack of enthusiasm for the November 2 midterm elections.
More Democrats than Republicans cast early ballots in a handful of key states, although more Republicans took advantage of the early voting process than in 2008 when President Barack Obama led a Democratic election sweep.
"The early voting numbers are favorable for Democrats, but here's the caution -- they are not as favorable as in 2008," said Michael McDonald, a George Mason University professor who tracks early voting statistics around the country.
While it is impossible to know who they voted for, more Democrats than Republicans cast early ballots in Louisiana, Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia. Democrats have a voter registration advantage -- and a larger pool of voters to draw from -- in each of those states.
Republicans have a big lead in early voting in the battleground state of Florida and a smaller edge in Colorado, and they sharply improved their early voting performance in states like Iowa and Louisiana.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Why is early voting even allowed?
The GOP is doing great.
I looked at North Carolina. The Republicans are doing 5 points better than 2004. W won North Carolina big in 2004.
If this was an election year, North Carolina would go 59-41 for the Republican.
North Carolina
56 - 43.6 bush kerry - 12.4 (5.1) = 17.5
49.7-49.38 obama mccain -
2008 2004 2010
Dem 51.4% 48.6% 44.3%
Rep 30.2% 37.4% 38.2%
None 18.5% 14.1% 17.4%
Best Results in North Carolina since 1984 Reagan Landslide.
correction - if this was a Presidential election year.
I’m grateful for early voting this year.
I very well may be unavailable on Nov 2nd,
but have no way to know for sure.
Besides, I couldn’t wait to get out and vote against the Marxists.
Nevada is an intense race, so base interest may be higher there. Remember, it is the Independent vote that decides the races, and no one knows how much of the early voting comprises Indies...
Let’s say I’m a Union member, registered Dem, but a Reagan Dem type, and I can’t stand Obama’s policies and the hijacking of the Dem Party by the leftists like Pelosi and Reid. I head to the voting booth. I don’t want my Union to think I am anything but a Dem, so I declare myself a Dem at the election table, and take my ballot. I then proceed to vote for all the Pub candidates on the ballot. Whose to know? I declared myself a Dem, but the ballot is the same, both Dem and Pub candidates listed on it. So, the early exit polls say Dem voted; I voted, but I voted for all the Pub candidates. Bet this is happening all over the country, Dems voting for Pub candidates. The Dem Party should not be resting easy about so many Dems voting early, as they don’t know who the heck those Dems are voting for.
I’ve talked to quite a few democrats who’ve said...”no more.” I feel confident that some registered dems will vote republican, just hope it’s enough!
Let’s say I’m a Union member, registered Dem, but a Reagan Dem type, and I can’t stand Obama’s policies and the hijacking of the Dem Party by the leftists like Pelosi and Reid. I head to the voting booth. I don’t want my Union to think I am anything but a Dem, so I declare myself a Dem at the election table, and take my ballot. I then proceed to vote for all the Pub candidates on the ballot. Whose to know? I declared myself a Dem, but the ballot is the same, both Dem and Pub candidates listed on it. So, the early exit polls say Dem voted; I voted, but I voted for all the Pub candidates. Bet this is happening all over the country, Dems voting for Pub candidates. The Dem Party should not be resting easy about so many Dems voting early, as they don’t know who the heck those Dems are voting for.
My husband just went to vote in the last half hour or so. He starts a new job in Ohio next Monday (we live in AR now), and wanted to make sure he was able to vote. He wanted one of his last acts in Arkansas to be helping get Blanche Lincoln kicked out of the Senate ;)
early voting was INVENTED to give Democrats a head start
"Early voting" to me, seems rife for all sorts of abuses, especially the analysis and reporting of the early results. I'm glad you've voted to axe the Marxists, however.
I actually went through more verification going to the early voting place than I do on election day.
They verified my eligibility and my residence address.
They don’t do that on the first tuesday of November...
Just because someone is registered as a Democrat doesn’t mean that’s the way they’re voting.
Most Republicans vote on election day, so this high a turnout for GOP voters is a bad sign for the Democrats, even if they still hold a slight advantage.
This article reminds me of a joke. Old but funny.
A heavy weight boxer went to his corner after the seventh round. His trainer said “You are doing great. He hasn’t laid a glove on you.”
The boxer said, “Well, keep an eye on the referee because someone is beating the tar out of me.”
Ever since i really started paying attention to the political process in 2003 (at age 34 but better late than never), I’ve held to Rush’s saying about polls: they are not meant to reflect public opinion; they are meant to shape it. So ignore them. Ignore the exit polls. Vote, and then - if you must - listen to the polls.
Four years ago I was in India on Election morning. I say morning, because it was late here in the States...and I see an exuberant Dingy Harry, Bela Pelosi, and Chuck U Schumer walking hand in hand. I wanted to stay over there.
It’s payback time.
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