Changes

Depending on the state (for instance, early votes cast in Florida tend to buck the trend by being overwhelmingly Republican), a quick glance over some sources does lead me to reluctantly agree with Andy that early voting does tend to give a ''slight'' advantage to Democratic candidates (enough to sway the results of a '''close''' election).  This is because the demographics most likely to vote early are the elderly (who usually vote Republican), racial minorities (who usually vote for Democrats), and blue collar workers (who also trend towards the Democrats).  Given the reasons most often cited for voting early, which are convenience, having to work on election day, and having already decided who to vote for, this is not particularly surprising.  It does not, however, appear that this is has anything to do with voter intimidation or any other underhanded tactics; its just the nature of the process. (here are links to the sources I looked over, [http://www.uakron.edu/bliss/research/archives/2010/EarlyVotingReport.pdf link 1], [http://www.austincc.edu/cppps/earlyvotingfull/report5.pdf link 2], [http://www.leonvotes.org/?page=Maps%20and%20Demographics/VoterDemographics.asp link 3], [http://elections.gmu.edu/early_vote_2012.html link 4]. --[[User:JHunter|JHunter]] 09:33, 28 October 2012 (EDT)

Depending on the state (for instance, early votes cast in Florida tend to buck the trend by being overwhelmingly Republican), a quick glance over some sources does lead me to reluctantly agree with Andy that early voting does tend to give a ''slight'' advantage to Democratic candidates (enough to sway the results of a '''close''' election).  This is because the demographics most likely to vote early are the elderly (who usually vote Republican), racial minorities (who usually vote for Democrats), and blue collar workers (who also trend towards the Democrats).  Given the reasons most often cited for voting early, which are convenience, having to work on election day, and having already decided who to vote for, this is not particularly surprising.  It does not, however, appear that this is has anything to do with voter intimidation or any other underhanded tactics; its just the nature of the process. (here are links to the sources I looked over, [http://www.uakron.edu/bliss/research/archives/2010/EarlyVotingReport.pdf link 1], [http://www.austincc.edu/cppps/earlyvotingfull/report5.pdf link 2], [http://www.leonvotes.org/?page=Maps%20and%20Demographics/VoterDemographics.asp link 3], [http://elections.gmu.edu/early_vote_2012.html link 4]. --[[User:JHunter|JHunter]] 09:33, 28 October 2012 (EDT)

:You're either assuming that those people would somehow vote otherwise if they waited until election day or advocating that citizens--and last I checked, Democrats are still citizens--should be denied the franchise because it just so happens that a particular voting pattern tends to get out one party's votes in a particular way. What't the next step on that slope? [[User:MattyD|MattyD]] 09:50, 28 October 2012 (EDT)

:You're either assuming that those people would somehow vote otherwise if they waited until election day or advocating that citizens--and last I checked, Democrats are still citizens--should be denied the franchise because it just so happens that a particular voting pattern tends to get out one party's votes in a particular way. What's the next step on that slope? [[User:MattyD|MattyD]] 09:50, 28 October 2012 (EDT)

::In my opinion, restrictive voter ID laws like those in Texas and (before it was essentially gutted of its worst elements by the state during the preclearance process) South Carolina.  Also, restrictions on voter registration as found in Texas and Florida.  But this is just my opinion.  Regardless, I think making it easier for eligible voters to exercise the franchise is something to be commended, not condemned.  [[User:GregG|GregG]] 12:41, 28 October 2012 (EDT)

::In my opinion, restrictive voter ID laws like those in Texas and (before it was essentially gutted of its worst elements by the state during the preclearance process) South Carolina.  Also, restrictions on voter registration as found in Texas and Florida.  But this is just my opinion.  Regardless, I think making it easier for eligible voters to exercise the franchise is something to be commended, not condemned.  [[User:GregG|GregG]] 12:41, 28 October 2012 (EDT)