Dems hold big edge in Florida in early and absentee voting

[babylonsister]

Dems hold big edge in Florida in early and absentee voting

By Rob Barry, Marc Caputo and Scott Hiaasen | Miami Herald


A huge increase in early voting has given Democrats a decided advantage over Republicans in Florida -- a major departure from statewide voting trends four years ago, according to a Miami Herald analysis of early and absentee ballots cast so far this year.

Through Thursday, Democrats cast 46 percent of the 3.4 million early and absentee votes in Florida, while Republicans cast 38 percent.

That's a big shift since 2004, when Democrats were outvoted 44 percent to 41 percent by Republicans in early and absentee ballots, according to a study of Florida voting data.

The recent Democratic gains have been most pronounced in early voting, where Democrats have outnumbered Republicans by 432,000 out of nearly two million voters.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/55125.html

[bullimiami]

1. the wild card is how many dems would have voted for mccain vs repubs for obama.

dems for mccain = not many
repubs voting democratic = more than usual

[Jackinbox]

3. I don't know about that....

Lots of "Reagan Democrats" in the Northern part of the state.

[demo dutch]

4. That's what worries me, FL registered Dems don't necessarily voting Dem

[DemFromMem]

5. Yes, but...

That wouldn't explain the difference from 2004. The key for me is not that Democrats outnumbered Republicans per se, but that the margin between Republican and Democratic early voting has shifted about 12%.

[glowing]

2. Don't forget, if your not a fundie, and identify as a R, then a lot of them

have switched their vote for Obama.. Just identifying the party is not enough this year.. I know a lot of people who have swung over to vote for Obama, while down ticket, they may pick and choose between r's and d's.