Democrats rush to polls

[MaineDem]

Source: Maine Sunday Telegram

Maine Democrats are voting early in much greater numbers than Republicans and unenrolled voters, according to absentee balloting records from the Secretary of State's Office.

Experts say the trend probably bodes well for Barack Obama, whose Democratic presidential campaign has teamed up with the Maine Democratic Party on a broad voter registration and early voting effort.

...

Statewide, Mainers had turned in 163,981 absentee ballots by Friday, according to records published online by the Secretary of State's Office, which oversees the distribution of ballots.

The absentee votes included 42.9 percent cast by Democrats, 28.2 percent by Republicans and 28.9 percent by unenrolled or Green Independent voters, according to an analysis by the United States Election Project, a program at George Mason University in Virginia that monitors election laws, trends and data.

...

Maine's numbers put the state squarely within a national trend, which shows that early voting is increasing. Records also show that Democrats are casting more early ballots than Republicans in nearly every state that provides party membership data for voters.

Read more: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=219503&a...

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One thing to keep in mind is that the Maine Democrats targeted Democrats who show a history of not always voting. So these votes are largely from people who might not have turned out on Election Day.

[fight4my3sons]

1. k&r!

This is great news!

[lonestarnot]

2. K & R!

[KillCapitalism]

3. We gotta make sure the younger people get to the polls.

Tell anyone you know under 30 to make sure to get their asses to the polls on Tuesday (unless they're McCain supporters).

[Tutonic]

4. WAKE UP AMERICA!

[melody]

6. You would suggest that's a sign we're "asleep"? Are you on the right board?

[jpak]

5. As Maine Goes So Goes the Nation!

Dirigo

[bean fidhleir]

7. In western Mass, reports are that all polling places have lines out the door

and down the street.

I don't know how true it is in general, but I'm usually the only one at mine, or maybe there's one other person, but this morning at 8.20 the place was overflowing even though the poll officials had things set up for the smoothest possible traffic flow, in through the front door, vote, and out through the back door, something they've never had to do before. They must have practiced because it was all very smooth and everyone was smiling and courteous to everyone else, but it's still going to be a complete zoo after people get off work.

[GetTheRightVote]

8. Go Obama Go !!!