| − | 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. Second, it increases the potential for voter fraud, particularly in the absence of new protections to safeguard the integrity of electronic or physical votes. On the other hand, early voting can lessen the strain on poll workers on Election Day and prevent long lines and bad logistics that can cause voters to give up casting a ballot. For example, after national reports of some Ohio voters having to wait until 4:00am to cast a ballot in the 2004 Presidential election, the Ohio legislature authorized early voting.<ref>http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/obama-campaign-sues-ohio-over-early-voting-restrictions-1.320837</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 new protections to safeguard the integrity of electronic or physical votes. On the other hand, early voting can lessen the strain on poll workers on Election Day and prevent long lines and bad logistics that can cause voters to give up casting a ballot. For example, after national reports of some Ohio voters having to wait until 4:00am to cast a ballot in the 2004 Presidential election, the Ohio legislature authorized early voting.<ref>http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/obama-campaign-sues-ohio-over-early-voting-restrictions-1.320837</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 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 percentage is growing rapidly with each election. |