The Epidemic of Early / Absentee Voting

[Jadow]

Ok, all I read about lately is early voting, it a lot of cities, people can just walk in up to 5 weeks prior to the election and vote.

I don't have any article to link to or anything, but I think this is insane.

Is it too much to ask that people come in on election day to vote? How many resources at the local level does it take to support all these early voting people, hold their ballots for a month, etc...

I say allow absentee voting within 1 week of an election granted a reason is provided, get rid of this early voting everywhere.

Seems like something that is becoming more and more of a trend lately and I think it's stupid.

 

[PingSpike]

What is your argument against it again? That it takes resources?

 

[BeauJangles]

It's a lot better than only allowing people to vote on one day.

 

[her209]

5 weeks is a little early. I'd say 1-2 weeks is good just in case there's problems with the polling station.

 

[halik]

voted via absentee... wooo. If anything it gives you more time to verify that I am actually eligible to vote.

 

[Linflas]

What is your argument against it again? That it takes resources?

The objection from the Pols seems to be mostly centered on the fact that people may vote before they release their last ditch slime attacks and thereby be immune to them. My personal objection would be that it widens the opportunity for fraud and shenanigans by partisan hacks of all persuasions.

 

[Vette73]

Most early voting is only done at 1 or a few places so its very little extra if that as there are people there already.

Also most voting is done on workdays. i remember haveing to vote after coming off a 12 hour shift and went staright to the polls as there was no time that day as I had to be back for another 12hour shift. So voting early is very helpful for many, let alone absentee voting. Unless you hate our hard working men and women in the military that use absentee voting?
So jadow why do you hate the military and the people that serve in it?

Funny that it seems mostly R's are against getting more people to vote.

 

[Jadow]

What is your argument against it again? That it takes resources?

yeah it takes resources and creates opportunities for error, fraud, etc...

 

[highland145]

3 I know did it because of distrust of the electronic machines. Valid reason or not.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2115466

 

[Uhtrinity]

I voted in person a week ago at polling place near our county courthouse. Very convenient.

 

[PokerGuy]

The more people vote absentee or early the less congestion and the smaller the chances of someone not getting to vote because of lines and such. I don't see any problem with it.

 

[MotF Bane]

The more people vote absentee or early the less congestion and the smaller the chances of someone not getting to vote because of lines and such. I don't see any problem with it.

This.

 

[MovingTarget]

My guess is because a lot of people "work" during the workweek. We shouldn't be having election day on Tuesday, but instead let it be Sat-Sun. I would rather absentee/early vote than to rush to the polling place after a long exhausting day.

 

[Throckmorton]

The more people vote absentee or early the less congestion and the smaller the chances of someone not getting to vote because of lines and such. I don't see any problem with it.

For once I agree with PokerGuy.

Why would anybody be opposed to making voting easier, unless they have some partisan reason to oppose greater enfranchisement?

 

[JSt0rm]

I vote early, so what?

 

[JD50]

Most early voting is only done at 1 or a few places so its very little extra if that as there are people there already.

Also most voting is done on workdays. i remember haveing to vote after coming off a 12 hour shift and went staright to the polls as there was no time that day as I had to be back for another 12hour shift. So voting early is very helpful for many, let alone absentee voting. Unless you hate our hard working men and women in the military that use absentee voting?
So jadow why do you hate the military and the people that serve in it?

Funny that it seems mostly R's are against getting more people to vote.

Yea, it's always the evil republicans that are trying to discount absentee ballots cast by our predominately Democrat military members.

 

[JD50]

yeah it takes resources and creates opportunities for error, fraud, etc...

The amount of resources it takes is irrelevant and probably inconsequential. How does it create opportunities for error and fraud?

 

[sandorski]

I'm surprised that the day hasn't been made into a Federal Holiday. It's not like it's going to be on a different day.

 

[Moonbeam]

The less idea people have about what they are voting for the better off we will be.

 

[Throckmorton]

I applied for my absentee ballot yesterday. Then I just fill it out at my own leisure and drop it off.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

I like to vote early so I don't have to deal the crowds on election day.

 

[her209]

I like to vote early so I don't have to deal the crowds on election day.

Also lessens the crowds on election day.

 

[DaveSimmons]

King County, WA has moved to voting entirely by mail, and they expect to break even or possibly save money.

Having ballots spaced out over weeks means the peak load for counting is much lower, meaning fewer staff and less equipment is needed. The county also saves over $500K per election in wages for poll workers, plus rental costs for the polling locations.

 

[Linflas]

I'm surprised that the day hasn't been made into a Federal Holiday. It's not like it's going to be on a different day.

Making it a Federal Holiday changes nothing other than freeing up the Federal workforce to vote.

 

[Throckmorton]

Making it a Federal Holiday changes nothing other than freeing up the Federal workforce to vote.

There is absolutely nothing stopping other employers from observing the holiday.

Election day is an official holiday in Hawaii. I'll be at the beach because I'm voting early!