Early Voting Begins

Voters in many states no longer have to wait for Election Day to cast their ballots

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A line of people wait to vote early at the Midstate College polling location in Peoria, Ill. Monday, Oct. 13, 2008. After opening their doors at 10 a.m., over 200 voters had marked their ballots by 4 p.m. (Photo: ©Adam Gerik, Peoria Journal Star/AP Images)

It's Election Day—at least in a few states with early voting.

On Monday, Colorado, Texas, and Florida were among seven states that began early voting. Hawaii and Louisiana open their polls Tuesday.

Thirty-one states currently allow no-excuse, in-person voting before Election Day. That means during early voting, any registered voter can show up at any designated voting place and cast their vote.

The last two presidential elections frustrated voters because of hours-long waits and technical hang-ups that impeded voting. Early voting is aimed at reducing some of that stress—especially important this year since officials are expecting a record turnout.

"By voting early, you can avoid the long lines we expect to see on Election Day," Hope Andrade, the Texas Secretary of State, told the Houston Chronicle.

In Florida, early voting means that the waiting and glitches can begin two weeks early.

When the polls opened Monday morning, Florida voters discovered masses of people lined up to vote and delays caused by malfunctioning voting machines.

"I think it's ridiculous," Miami Beach voter Danny Reynolds told the Miami Herald. "They've had plenty of time to prepare for this, and they should have worked on those machines and made sure they were working yesterday."

Another voter in line took the problems in stride. "This is a typical Florida election," voter Mike Frank told the Herald.

The problems Florida voters faced Monday morning present real concerns for Election Day because they can prevent people from voting. But early voting reduces that danger by presenting choices for when and how to vote.

Florida voters have until November 2 to vote early. If a voter doesn't want to wait in line, he or she can return at another time. If the machines aren't working right away, the voter can come back when they are. These aren't options on Election Day.

The freedom early voting affords is likely to attract more voters this year than ever. In 2004, roughly 22 percent of votes cast were done through early and absentee voting. This year, it is expected that one third of all votes will be cast early or through absentee ballots.

"Every presidential year it gets bigger, as more people get comfortable with it and they understand the process," Michael Mauro, Iowa's Secretary of State, told the Associated Press. "It's a fact of life that people in America like to do things at their own convenience."

Iowa's polls have been open for early voting since early October.

The growing popularity hasn't escaped the John McCain and Barack Obama campaigns' attention.

Republicans have tried mobilizing supporters who might not normally vote in presidential elections to vote early, Rich Beeson, political director of the Republican National Committee, told the Associated Press.

Obama, on the other hand, has spent a lot of time, effort, and money in getting out the early vote. He has been stumping in early-voting states like Florida, sending out e-mails, and even placing ads in video games like Guitar Hero and Madden '09.

"We are trying to expand the electorate and expand the process," said David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager.

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