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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 national tradition of Election Day, various arguments are used, typically by Democrats, to advocate its adoption by 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 should not have to wait in line 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 if that were a genuine concern, probably at less cost than early voting entails.

While early voting plainly undermines the national tradition of Election Day, various arguments are used, typically by Democrats, to advocate its adoption by 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 should not have to wait in line until 2:00am the following morning 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 if that were a genuine concern, 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 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.