Anyone planning on voting early in person or absentee?

[rob in cal]

I'm fascinated about the development of early voting and absentee voting, as it really stretches the electoral calendar.  From what I can tell, some big states like NY and Pennsylvania don't really have a lot of it going on, but other big ones like California, Florida, Texas, Georgia and Ohio do.  I'm wondering if many people on this board are planning on voting early, and if so how early.
    My wife is a permanent absentee voter.  She usually votes about 10 days to a week before the election. In California one can elect to do this (become a permanent absentee voter), and about a month before every election the voter gets their ballot, simple as that. My mother is also an absentee voter (not sure if she's permanent or not). Personally I like to vote at the precinct, more exciting, more participatory, and I always vote on election day.  Apparently in person early voting started in California yesterday, but its not a big deal, as far as I can tell, with lots of satellite voting locations, unless I'm missing something.
    Projections are that about a third of all nationwide ballots will be cast before election day, with states on the Pacific coast leading the way.

[cinyc]

New York only has for cause absentee voting - which is the way it ought to be.  This early voting nonsense serves no one any good.  People shouldn't be voting while the candidates are still actively campaigning.   It's like exiting an airplane before it has landed.

[memphis]

I'll be voting early. Lines are shorter than on election day.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I will be doing early voting. I think it runs October 14 through through the 30th here. I am looking at going sometime in that period.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

same here I will be early voting.

[Meeker]

I already voted absentee.

[ajc0918]

Both of my parents already voted absentee.

btw Bill McCollum won on election day, but Scott won the absentee/early vote by a larger margin and that gave him victory. Just a though on how absentee voting can change an election.

[Verily]

Both of my parents already voted absentee.

btw Bill McCollum won on election day, but Scott won the absentee/early vote by a larger margin and that gave him victory. Just a though on how absentee voting can change an election.

That's probably more demographic-based, though. Scott voters were older, and older voters are more likely to vote early/through absentee ballots. There are some situations where it clearly made a major difference, though (notably the California Democratic Presidential primary in 2008; Clinton won the early vote in a landslide, but Obama came very close or maybe even won the on-the-day vote).

[tpfkaw]

Voting early is a bad idea because it's much more likely your vote will be challenged.

[TeePee4Prez]

I have to vote absentee.

[Franzl]

Voting early is a bad idea because it's much more likely your vote will be challenged.

What's this supposed to mean?

[BillyW]

I always vote early. I'm not sure the exact date it starts in Texas. I am going to be cruising in the Carribean next week and when I get back I will vote

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I will never ever vote absentee unless there is an actual situation where I would not be able to vote on election day.

[rbt48]

I just got my absentee ballot today and have it ready to mail in.  Not a very exciting ballot.  No Democrat in two of five statewide races.  All eight Sarpy County officials are unopposed (Republicans).

[Franzl]

And yes, I'll be voting early because I'll be in Germany again on Election Day.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

I just got my absentee ballot today and have it ready to mail in.  Not a very exciting ballot.  No Democrat in two of five statewide races.  All eight Sarpy County officials are unopposed (Republicans).

So how many contested races do you have? The worst ballot I've ever seen was 2007, where there were three races on the ballot: State Senator, State Delegate, and Soil and Water Conservation Board. Delegate was the only one contested, and the S&W Board was for two seats, but only one candidate was on the ballot.

As for the topic, I'm not voting absentee. I've only done it once, in 2006. I like going to the polls on election day. (Even though it took an hour to vote in 2008.) Also, I still haven't figured out who to vote for (or whether to vote) in a couple of the municipal races.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

I only vote in person because I want them to actually count my vote.

[rbt48]

I always vote early.  When I was in the Air Force, I had to, as I was far from my legal residence.  Since then, I have been voting early.  Heck, you never know.  In case I die of a heart attack, at least my vote will be counted on election day.

It's nice to know that big brother knows exactly who I voted for as my name and signature are required on the envelope in which you enclose the ballot.

[Franzl]

I only vote in person because I want them to actually count my vote.

You don't believe absentee votes are counted?