Early Voting Could Go Nationwide

Early voting has set record numbers in this historical 2008 presidential election. So far, more than 24.4 million voters have cast their votes in states where early voting is allowed. Experts say that the overwhelming turnout for early voting may urge Congress to look into early voting nationwide for future elections. 28 states now allow voters to cast absentee, mail-in ballots without providing an excuse. In California, voters can automatically have their absentee ballots sent to their homes for every election. Whether it is by mail or in person, early voting allows voters that can't spend hours waiting to vote on Election Day to have a voice and be a part of the democratic process. Maryland and Alabama are a few of the states that will decide whether early voting should be allowed for future elections.

So far, more registered Democrats than Republicans have cast ballots in the 26 states where early voting and election statistics are available. In 9 of these states, of the 7.5million registered voters, Democratic voters lead GOP voters by 57.3% to 42.7%. However, it is not certain which candidates voters chose since voters who register with a particular political party do not always vote for their party candidates.

While early voting has many benefits, some skeptics have raised valid concerns. Voting over a long period of time, rather than only on Election Day, also threatens to divide society, because early voters and their later counterparts make their choices based on different information, states Harvard University professor Dennis Thompson. After an early voter casts a ballot, but before an Election Day voter does, a number of events could occur that might affect a voter's decision. For example, a candidate might pull out of the race, or be convicted of a crime.

Nonetheless early voting has increased steadily over the years. In 2000, early votes represented 16% of the ballots, and in 2004 it increased to 22%. This year, experts predict another increase, with 33% casting votes early.