| − | 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> 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 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 national tradition of Election Day, various arguments are used, typically by Democrats, to try to pass it state legislatures. One argument, proven to be generally false, is that early voting increases overall turnout. Another argument used in Ohio is that Ohio voters would not have to wait until 4:00am to cast a ballot in a presidential election, as allegedly happened in 2004.<ref>http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/obama-campaign-sues-ohio-over-early-voting-restrictions-1.320837</ref> Of course, extra poll workers and booths could be added for election day, probably at less cost than early voting entails. |
| | 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. |