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While early voting plainly undermines the notion of a uniform Election Day, various arguments are used, typically by Democrats, to advocate its adoption by state legislatures.  One argument is that early voting increases overall turnout.  Another argument used in Ohio is that Ohio voters should not have to wait in line until 4:00am the following morning to cast a ballot in a presidential election, as happened in 2004.<ref>http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2004-11-17-early-voting_x.htm</ref>  Of course, extra poll workers, voting machines, and booths could be added for Election Day if that were a genuine concern.  Some, including Ohio's [[Cuyahoga County]], argue that early voting can save money in this regard, as the same machines and equipment that would otherwise be idle can be used, avoiding the need to purchase new and expensive election equipment.  But in fact early voting adds millions of dollars in expense while '''''lowering''''' overall voter turnout, as confirmed by Political Science Professor Todd Eberly:<ref>http://marylandreporter.com/2012/09/10/early-voting-costs-counties-2-6m-but-hasnt-increased-turnout-yet/</ref>

While early voting plainly undermines the notion of a uniform Election Day, various arguments are used, typically by Democrats, to advocate its adoption by state legislatures.  One argument is that early voting increases overall turnout.  Another argument used in Ohio is that Ohio voters should not have to wait in line until 4:00am the following morning to cast a ballot in a presidential election, as happened in 2004.<ref>http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2004-11-17-early-voting_x.htm</ref>  Of course, extra poll workers, voting machines, and booths could be added for Election Day if that were a genuine concern.  Some, including Ohio's [[Cuyahoga County]], argue that early voting can save money in this regard, as the same machines and equipment that would otherwise be idle can be used, avoiding the need to purchase new and expensive election equipment.  But in fact early voting adds millions of dollars in expense while '''''lowering''''' overall voter turnout, as confirmed by Political Science Professor Todd Eberly:<ref>http://marylandreporter.com/2012/09/10/early-voting-costs-counties-2-6m-but-hasnt-increased-turnout-yet/</ref>

{{cquote|Early voting is actually a waste of taxpayer money that does not boost turnout.  In a study of the 2008 election, researchers at the University of Wisconsin actually found that early voting results in lower turnout – not higher. Specifically they found that though more than 30 percent of votes cast in the 2008 presidential race arrived before Election Day, the study determined early voting actually depressed turnout in a typical county by 3 percentage points.}}

{{cquote|Early voting is actually a waste of taxpayer money that does not boost turnout.  In a study of the 2008 election, researchers at the University of Wisconsin actually found that early voting results in lower turnout – not higher. Specifically they found that though more than 30 percent of votes cast in the 2008 presidential race arrived before Election Day, the study determined early voting actually depressed turnout in a typical county by 3 percentage points.}}

In a 1996 study of early voting turnout in Tennessee elections in 1994, Lilliard E. Richardson, Jr. and Grant W. Neely said that early voting could increase overall turnout.<ref>L.E. Richardson, Jr. and G.E. Neely.  ''State & Local Government Review'' '''28'''(3):173-79</ref>

In a 1996 study of early voting turnout in Tennessee elections in 1994, Lilliard E. Richardson, Jr. and Grant W. Neely said that early voting could increase overall turnout.<ref>L.E. Richardson, Jr. and G.E. Neely.  "The impact of early voting on turnout: The 1994 elections in Tennessee." ''State & Local Government Review'' '''28'''(3):173-79 (1996)</ref>

 

In a 2007 paper, Paul Gronke, Eva Galanes-Rosenbuam, and Peter A. Miller (all affiliated with Reed College) found that early voting improves the procedural integrity of elections and a modest increase in overall turnout.  The authors nevertheless conclude "It is no longer a question of whether early voting is a smart reform; the question now is what sort of early voting to allow and how to adjust to its impact."<ref>P. Gronke, E. Galanes-Rosenbaum, and P.A. Miller. "Early voting and turnout." PS-WASHINGTON '''40(4)''':639 (2007).</ref>

 

A state-by-state analysis is available showing the percentage of ballots cast in early voting,<ref>http://elections.gmu.edu/early_vote_2008.html</ref> but note that the percentage is growing rapidly with each election.

A state-by-state analysis is available showing the percentage of ballots cast in early voting,<ref>http://elections.gmu.edu/early_vote_2008.html</ref> but note that the percentage is growing rapidly with each election.