Early Voting

So far, more than 24.4 million voters have cast their vote for Obama or McCain in 26 states allowing early voting. The unexpected large number of early voters may prompt congress to extend early voting across the country. The new mandate, if enacted would eliminate the need to provide justification for voting early and why you cannot vote on election day. Allowing early voting would make for a smother election day. Fewer people would have to wait in line and it would lessen the chaos for volunteers at the polls. I believe it will also increase the number of votes casted in elections, definitely needed with the traditionally embarrassingly low voter turnout. Anything increase voter turnout would be a welcome change for my standpoint. Critics contend that early voting would create two campaigns reflecting socio-economic standing. One for loyal voters, those likely to vote early in higher socio-economic classes and another for less partisan voters of a lower socio-economic class. Other possible down falls to early voting would be the emergence of new information after casting your early vote, which might change the course of the election. Although both are reasonable concerns, I feel as a participatory democracy, any mandate to increase participation in elections would constitute a step forward. The increased popularity from 2000 with 16% of votes casted early, to 2004 with 22% casted early, and an anticipated 33% of voters casting there ballets before the November 4th election this years reflect an important trend. Lazy Americans would be able to participate in our democracy right from there comfortable positions on the couch.