16.9 Million People Have Already Voted
Diehard supporters of Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama have flooded polling places across the country this week, pouring in nearly 17 million early ballots – or one out of every seven votes cast in the previous election.
Obviously, voter turnout this year will be much stronger than it was four years ago, but the surge in early voting is unlike anything America has ever seen before.
Twenty-three states allow early voting without an excuse this year, including several key swing states like Florida and North Carolina. McCain must take both of those states – and several others – if he has any chance of winning the White House.
So far, Democrats have been voting in greater numbers than Republicans, but experts say that’s not surprising.
In North Carolina, Democrats were outdrawing Republicans 2 to 1 in early voting, with 20% of registered voters already submitting their selections.
In Florida, the margin between early-voting Republicans and Democrats is closer, which could bode well for the GOP ticket there.
According to the Real Clear Politics electoral map, however, it’s still a stretch for McCain.
Obama has a lockdown on 238 electoral votes, with 79 leaning his way for a total of 311.
McCain has just 127 electoral votes nailed down, with 15 leaning his way for a total of 142 – meaning he would have to sweep the “toss-up” states (giving him a total of 227 electoral votes) and steal a couple big ones currently in the Obama column to have a prayer.
Comments
By Chris on October 31st, 2008 at 8:08 am
Living in the upstate and working in Columbia I always vote absentee. Every other election it is a 5 minute wait. This year, at 9AM on a Saturday, I waited 3 hours. During that period I spoke to about a dozen “first time voters”. Oh, they were NOT young voters – all 60+ black voters. The overwhelming feeling in line was to vote for Obama for one and only one reason – he is black. While I am not a liberal/socialist supporter, I played dumb to get more information. Without exception the voters in line I spoke with did not have a single fact correct – nor did they care. I love the fact that voter turn out is an all time high – the democratic process is healing. Unfortunately we still have a tremendous problem – people are not voting on issues and platforms, they are voting in a popularity contest. Sadly I feel that this election has put race relations on the front lines and will force the country backwards. Obama is wisely avoiding the direct comment but is gladly accepting the support for any reason. Anyone who has a job, anyone who does not want to pay higher taxes, anyone who does not want to see their health care spiral into hell, anyone who does not want to see record inflation…well, you are all screwed. Looks like Obama will probably win. Welcome to Change – where we are financially penalized more than ever for getting an education and trying to make something of our lives.
By Mattheus Mei on October 31st, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Wow, take me back to 1960 when Catholics in this country who traditionally voted Democratic overwhelmingly supported JFK because he was Catholic. It’s the same principal.
For years Black folks have turned out for white Democrats — white dems have enjoyed an 85-15 advantage over their republican counterparts. So why are we sooo disgusted this year when they happen to vote for the black guy?
You talk about voting issues/platforms? what about people who only vote for one issue and one issue only – like abortion? The non-informed and myopic voters come from both sides of the aisle.
By Crooner on October 31st, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Hey, I voted absentee in North Chuck on Wednesday. It was the only chance this gated-neighborhood dweller had to stand in line with a bunch of fellow Democrats. And no, I didn’t vote a straight ticket. Lindsey Graham, despite being a Republican, is much better on the issues than Conley.
As for Chris bemoaning the presidential vote resembling a popularity contest, I say see 2000. Bush competed with Gore because folks saw Bush as “someone they wanted to have a beer with.” And the idiot doesn’t drink!
By Eric on October 31st, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Good point Mattheus. Everyone has an objective.
Mine would be to vote for someone who will create a better way of life for my children and their children. Boosting education and energy independence would be a big step in that direction. Drill baby drill is not the way. I would hope to see fuel cell, solar panels and other environmentally sound technologies becoming big business in SC. There are plenty of empty warehouses and jobless South Carolinians who love to be put to some good use.
By rick on October 31st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
How about abortion, taxes, 2nd amendment, voter fraud, are these enough to allow me to vote for McCain? And Mattheus Mei….Kennedy was a Catholic and a Democrat….not much of a stretch. His issue was he was a catholic and the question resided in his loyalty to the constitution or the Pope. He had to make people understand he was an American first and a Catolic second. Something Hussein has been unable to do. Once again we have the Black community using their collective ignorance to support a candidate without having a clue as to why they should. These black folks who have been turning out for the democrats….again its a case of what ya gonna do for me? Your hero Kennedy said it well “The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all”…1963.
By Chris on October 31st, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Crooner – Honestly, I would be first in line to vote in support of a Constitutional amendment requiring that voters go through an 8 hour training class in order to get a registration. Regardless of political affiliations, there are WAY too many people voting for all the wrong reasons. People need to understand that there ARE other issues – they need to understand what a President can and cannot do or has control over – and far more importantly then need to understand what the House and Senate can do so that someone may actually pay attention to those candidates as well. Today it is all about “Who is the cool guy?” or “Who looks best on TV?” or sadly, “Who did the high school droppout actress tell me to vote for?” I would be proud to be an American the day that we had near perfect voter registration and turnout even if every candidate I voted for lost – as long as everyone voted for a valid reason that had to do with government. To vote for someone because the other guys is neighbors with a former domestic terrorist or because the other guy doesn’t write his own emails (despite nerve damage as a POW) is just stupid. As an American who serverd in the USMC, I am ashamed to try to explain it to foreign friends of mine. People die all over the world for the right to vote…think maybe, just maybe you could spend a few hours every couple years to research the candidates’ political platforms and voting records? And yes, while I am not voting Democrat it is not BECAUSE Obama is black. In fact, I feel the leader of the free world should be professional, poised, well spoken and educated. If Obama was running on a Republican platform I would volunteer for his campaign trail. It is his voting record on things like the second amendment that scare the crap out of me and give me the impression that his goal is to shred the Constitution.
By rick on October 31st, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Amen Chris….well said.
By Mattheus Mei on October 31st, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Rick,
“How about abortion, taxes, 2nd amendment, voter fraud, are these enough to allow me to vote for McCain? And Mattheus Mei….Kennedy was a Catholic and a Democrat….not much of a stretch. His issue was he was a catholic and the question resided in his loyalty to the constitution or the Pope. He had to make people understand he was an American first and a Catolic second. Something Hussein has been unable to do. Once again we have the Black community using their collective ignorance to support a candidate without having a clue as to why they should.”
A multiplicity of reasons is sound enough as opposed to one thanks for not being myopic and – I’m not condemning your vote.
Oh and you just proved my point your remark about “Hussein” being unable to proove that he is an American first and African American or (insert your own derisive epithet here) is EXACTLY the same problem Kennedy had – there were still WASPY folks who after the election were concerned about his “Americanness.” Thank you on proving me right.
By Chris Moore on October 31st, 2008 at 8:25 pm
It’s funny because it’s ironic. The guy talking about not voting Democrat because they’re going to “shred the Constitution.”
After the Administration we just had? Get real, buddy. There’s nothing left.
By rick on November 1st, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Mattheus Mei, the question of Hussein even being a citizen is still up for grabs…the question of his being either an American or African American first in his sentiments hasn’t been raised. What is raised is his present and past associations with socialists and his identification as such. His whole campaign has been one of feel good, do for one another while his Aunt is living as an illegal in the slums of Boston(this is the aunt he was so fond of in his writings) and a brother in Africa living on 12.00 a year while he made millions. It’s this constant stream of hyprocisy that should be clueing people into what he’s really all about. (Do as I say, not as I do)
Chris, wonderful talking point….now put down the lame stream medias version of the truth and begin a real search for the truth.
The consistent whining by the left has left everyone feeling that we’re no longer free. Well, I still have a vote, I own my guns, I can move to any state, any job, that I can afford or qualify for. My house is still mine (and the banks), my cars are mine etc. you get the point….the constitution of the United States was based upon American citizenship, or a legal right to partake of the freedoms entailed. Just because a newspaper or lawyer says a terrorist has the same rights, doesn’t make it so. It’s time Americans woke up to the fact that this is still the greatest country in the world and offers the greatest opportunities to succeed or fail based upon the individuals capabilities….the news media would have you believe that the world sucks and it’s all Bushes fault….wrong, its our fault because we accept without critical thought. My world today is sunny and full of promise regardless of who wins the election. If its the cowardly socialist, well tomorrow is another day and opportunity.