Let The Voting Begin!
Tuesday September 23, 2008
"Election Day" may be 4 November, but early voting has begun. Between official "early voting" options, absentee ballots and vote-by-mail systems (all of Oregon and most of Washington), about a third of us are expected to vote before 4 November.
And the trend is up, demonstrating the power of convenience and changed laws on absentee balloting. In 2004, 1-in-5 Americans voted early in the Presidential election; in 2000, it was 1-in-6. In 1980, the estimate was 1-in-20.
Learn about US voting systems. Check out your state's absentee voting requirements (about half the states require an excuse).