| | There are two major objections to early voting. First, it facilitates voter intimidation, particularly by unions and large employers that try to increase turnout by their people.<ref>"Executives at the [[casino]] giant Harrah's pushed company employees to vote early in an all-out effort to help the [[Harry Reid]] campaign, according to internal emails obtained by Battle ‘10." [http://nation.foxnews.com/harry-reid/2010/11/02/hot-air-did-harrahs-casino-pressure-employees-vote-reid#ixzz2AYEDHlaD]</ref> Second, it increases the potential for voter fraud, particularly in the absence of protections that safeguard the integrity of physical votes.<ref>See, e.g., "Early Voting Fraud," ''National Review'' [http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/251345/early-voting-fraud-deroy-murdock].</ref> | | There are two major objections to early voting. First, it facilitates voter intimidation, particularly by unions and large employers that try to increase turnout by their people.<ref>"Executives at the [[casino]] giant Harrah's pushed company employees to vote early in an all-out effort to help the [[Harry Reid]] campaign, according to internal emails obtained by Battle ‘10." [http://nation.foxnews.com/harry-reid/2010/11/02/hot-air-did-harrahs-casino-pressure-employees-vote-reid#ixzz2AYEDHlaD]</ref> Second, it increases the potential for voter fraud, particularly in the absence of protections that safeguard the integrity of physical votes.<ref>See, e.g., "Early Voting Fraud," ''National Review'' [http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/251345/early-voting-fraud-deroy-murdock].</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. However, 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. | + | 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 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.}} |
| | 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. |