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StumbleuponWhich party will benefit from early voting in Ohio?
Sunday, October 05, 2008
WASHINGTON — Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is sending out e-mails on behalf of the McCain campaign urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Democrat Barack Obama's campaign flew a plane over Ohio Stadium last weekend encouraging football fans to vote early.
And today, Oct. 5, Bruce Springsteen is giving a free concert in Columbus aimed at registering and attracting early voters to Obama.
For the first time ever during a presidential election, Ohioans can vote early without providing a reason, and both campaigns are gearing their get-out-the-vote efforts to stress the expanded voting window. Under Ohio's early voting law, anyone can vote between now and Election Day, although the ballots won't be tabulated until after the polls close on Nov. 4.
The big question is which political party benefits more from early voting.
Ohio is one of 25 states now casting ballots as part of early voting programs, and it's one of 31 states that allow voters to vote early without providing an excuse, according to Paul Gronke, a consultant with the Pew Center on the States and a professor of political science at Reed College in Oregon.
He said neither party consistently has the advantage in early voting, but the party that has more money and is better organized tends to do better, depending on the year.
Just who that is in Ohio this year is open to debate.
For their part, Republicans remain wary of voter rules that allow people to register and vote on the same day during a six-day period that begun last week, saying such measures invite fraud and endanger the integrity of elections. Courts ruled in favor of those laws, but Republicans aren't happy about it.
U.S. Rep. David Hobson, R-Springfield, argues that events like the Springsteen concert are akin to the days when political parties passed out shots of whiskey in exchange for votes.
"There should be some time of reflection," he said. "There should be some responsibility to show up."
In theory, one could attend the Springsteen concert and vote the same day, but it's not very realistic. He's scheduled to go on stage at Ohio State about 4:30 p.m., and the Veterans Memorial in downtown Columbus — the one location in Franklin County where early in-person voters can cast their ballots — closes at 5.
Democrats, including Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, argue that early voting gives them the advantage this particular week, when the House struggled to pass a bailout bill and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin slid in the polls. He's hopeful that the early voting rules will allow people to vote on "more serious issues," rather than based on the emotion of the last few days of the campaign.
Strickland is also excited about Obama's field organization in Ohio, calling it "unlike anything I've ever seen."
Nathan Gonzales of the Rothenberg Political Report agrees that the Democrats' ground organization is enviable.
"Right now, the Democrats have the advantage," he said. "And the more people the Obama campaign and the Democrats get to the polls, then those votes are not going to be influenced by the news of the next weeks, which could end up being unfavorable to Democrats."
Currently, 10 states give voters the ability to register and vote on the same day, and North Dakota has no registration, according to David Becker of the Pew Center on the States. He said concerns about fraudulent voting have been minimal in those states, in part because of technological developments that have helped preserve the integrity of elections.
In Montgomery County, voters for both candidates have taken advantage of new early voting rules.
Jolene Crowell, 28, of Dayton voted early at the Montgomery County Board of Elections, in part because she'll be volunteering for the Obama campaign on Election Day.
McCain voter Eric Totel, meanwhile, voted early because he didn't want a scheduling conflict to keep him from voting. He works in law enforcement.
But Totel, 38, of Dayton, who volunteers for the McCain-Palin campaign, found the experience of early voting anti-climactic. "I liked the way we voted for hundreds of years, going to the polls, seeing your neighbors," he said. "I wasn't as thrilled. I got to vote. That's what really matters."
Greene County
Board of Elections:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday through Friday)
Extended hours:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11, 18 and 25
9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21, 23, 27 and 29
9 a.m. to noon. Nov. 1
Montgomery County Board of Elections
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays in October and Nov. 1
noon to 5 p.m. today, Oct. 5
7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6
noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 26
noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 2
Miami County
Board of Elections
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday through Friday)
Extended hours may be available closer to Election Day.
Preble County
Board of Elections
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)
8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6
8 a.m. to noon Nov. 1
Warren County
Board of Elections
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)
Extended hours will be available closer to Election Day, but have not been finalized.
Early voting hours
Voter registration deadline is Monday
The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 4 General Election is Monday, Oct. 6. Get more information and download forms at the Ohio Secretary of State's Web site at www.sos.state.oh.us
Boards of Election
Clark County: 3130 E. Main St., Springfield, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., (937) 521-2120
Darke County: 300 Garst Ave., Greenville, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., (937) 548-1835
Greene County: 651 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Xenia, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., (937) 562-7478 or 7473
Miami County: 215 W. Main St., Troy, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., (937) 440-3900
Montgomery County: 451 W. Third St., Dayton, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., (937) 225-5656
Preble County: 101 E. Main St., Eaton, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., (937) 456-8117 or 8118
Shelby County: 230 E. Court St., Sidney, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., (937) 498-7207
Warren County: 406 Justice Dr., Room 323, Lebanon, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., (513) 695-1358
Comments
By Steven
October 6, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
Voted early OBAMA. I’m so FED UP with low IQ smear tactics. Since the McCain camp and conservative repubs only have ONE issue left to save their skins (by the way - Michigan????? -What happened up there with McCain folks). Something needs to be cleared here- Obama has said he would do whatever it takes to PROTECT America. I feel more comfort knowing his hand is over the ‘button’ than McCain or Palin (oh my - bad thought). Anyone who is glad Bush was in office 8 years deserves to go bankrupt.
By LAURA
October 6, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
TAKE IT FROM AN ALASKAN WHO LIVES IN WASILLA. PALIN IS A JOKE AND WE DONT ALL LIKE HER! VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By LAURA
October 6, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
TAKE IT FROM AN ALASKAN WHO LIVES IN WASILLA. PALIN IS A JOKE AND WE DONT ALL LIKE HER! VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Scott
October 6, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
Hey Jim, if you want to say Palin doesn’t have the credentials, look at Obama’s credentials. He has led nothing in his lifetime except community meetings let alone a city or state. The democrats are desparate to allow this early voting. It is amazing that the people doing the faudulant voting seem to be voting Obama. If there is proof, those votes all need to be thrown out. As for 2000 and 2004, I thank God that Bush was in office and not a wimpy Gore or Kerry.
By Tommy
October 5, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
It seems that all the talk about voter fraud is warranted. I am sure the Democrats are doing things like bussing homeless people in so they can vote. Bringing them in from out of state??? Who knows? If anybody has any proof of this, it should be brought out and that woul stop all of it. It also seems that all the “slick” ways the Democrats are going about this, it will hurt the Democrats. I say this because most of the time, the Party, or the Candidate that fights a “dirty” campaign loses.
By Maria
October 5, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
All Reblicans need to stop their whinning about early voting they have stolen the election on two times that I know of his name is Bush…I believe when the Democratic has provided evidents that early register voters can also vote early now they say it’s a problem because they are getting what they deserve. God does not like ulgy behavior and I know how 2000 election the Republican party stole the election from Gore. The vote in Florida was Gore vote until Bush planned a scam, same thing 2004!
By Jim
October 5, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
John McCain has made a mockery of American politics by selecting Sarah Palin as his running mate. Palins selection, which wouldnt fly in any field that requires credentials, is a testament to the Republican propaganda machine. The fact that a large segment of the population has bought into the notion that education, knowledge, and intellect doesnt matter, is very troubling. We should all be outraged that John McCain has put our country at risk by attempting such a cynical political stunt.
By Wordell
October 5, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Hussiens moveon.org/Soros party will benefit. His billions will provide the technology for voter fraud, won’t be detected until it’s too late. As North said of Chicago democrats: “Vote early and often”. As Islamofacists allow lying to the infidels, Democrat lying is justified, no difference in the idiology. Hamas & Osama have stated publicly they support their selection of Hussien for president, moveon.org & Soros activists are in the same league. Godd bye U.S.A.
By jneill7854
October 5, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
The main issues this year economy, Iraq war and healtcare has not been addressed by McCain. He has no comprehesion of how bad the economy has been for us middle class people in Ohio and has absolutly no plan if elected as how to fix it. His Iraq war policy is to stay until we win at any cost to USA. For what, bragging rights? Heathcare: Give us a $5000 tax credit to buy a $12000 policy. We need to get him out of our state like Michigan did!
By obamasgirl
October 5, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Voting is great for young people. I am so proud to see 18-30 years old voting early for Obama. When we put the baby boomers out of power, life will be good.
By Chris
October 5, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand what’s going on with my country. It’s like it’s a down hill spiral that can’t be stopped.
If this is a carnival ride I’m ready to get off.
Pray for America’s future.
Vote McCain/Palin for the freedom and safety of the USA.
By Patriot
October 5, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Early voting is fine. Illegal voting is not. The busloads of homeless people that the democrats are bringing into the state constitutes voter fraud. I wonder how many bottles of Night Train or Mad Dog these “voters” get in exchange for their phony vote?
By Dawn
October 5, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Republicans may be upset by the early registration/voting clause, but it has been there since 1982. Why didn’t bother them in 2000 and 2004? Did it give them an advantage? Just like judges, it is elitist and unfair until it benefits them.
By DJAlberts
October 5, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
The media & big money has been controlling this political race however… this election is not about gaining popularity with the reading public – it is not about trashing Palin in a t*t-for-tat debacle – it is not about gender or race – it is not about Bush – it is about our NEXT president. Obama runs with the wrong crowd…. Over and over again…William Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Tony Rezko, Michael Pfleger, Kwame Kilpatrick, Larry Walsh… and ACORN. Too often and too dirty to be a coincidence. Research FACTS on the character of the man Obama rather than playing along with the herd mentality or looking for a Hollywood moment. Should Obama be in the White House? The answer is a resounding NO.
This is a serious question and our future depends on the answer so consider it responsibly.
By North
October 5, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
The Democrats! As the Democrats in Chicago say, “Vote early and often.”