General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsInside the Early Vote Numbers Jeremy Bird National Field Director
Our campaign is about inclusiveness, and weve always been focused on bringing new people into the process. As our supporters vote early in huge numbers around the country, we have the perfect example: Were turning out voters who have been traditionally less likely to participate, sometimes called sporadic voters.
A common misconception about early vote is that both parties have a set number of voters, and all early vote does is let some of them cast their ballots before Election Day. Thats simply not true. What early vote does is help us mobilize sporadic voters by giving them more time and more convenient ways to make their voices heard. It also broadens the universe of voters and frees up more of our get-out-the-vote resources later, especially on Election Day. When you look inside the numbers so far, among sporadic voters its not even close.
More sporadic Obama voters are voting than sporadic Republicans in the battleground states. Along with the more than 20,000 people who came out to see the President yesterday in Ohio and Florida after he dominated the final debate, these trends are a sign both of enthusiasm for President Obama and our organizational strength.
Here are some numbers illustrating the progress were making:
Non-midtermvoters: Across nine battleground states, Democrats have a 19.7 point advantage in ballots cast among non-midterm voters. More than half (51.5 percent) of non-midterm voters who have voted already are Democrats, while fewer than a third (just 31.8 percent) are Republicans.
For example, in North Carolina, 51.5 percent of those who have already voted are Democrats, compared with just 25.1 percent who are Republicans. Thats a major advantage. And among these non-midterm voters who have voted in North Carolina so far, 87 percent of them are youth (under 35), African-American, Latino, or new registrants (registered after the 2008 election).
All voters: Among all voters, Democrats have a 10.7 point advantage over Republicans. Just under half (49.6 percent) of voters who have cast ballots are Democrats, while just 38.9 percent are Republicans. In the only two statesColorado and Floridawhere Republicans lead right now in total ballots cast, Democrats are cutting into traditional Republican leads there; were doing better today than at this point in 2008. And once in-person early voting is included (it just started in Colorado on Monday and starts in Florida this weekend), Democrats will take the lead.
The plan weve been building from the beginning is modeled exactly for thisto broaden the electorate, and make sure as many Americans as possible have a chance to take part in this historic election. Thats why weve spent years building neighborhood teams that are stronger than last-minute, turnkey phone bank operations. Our volunteer leaders will be getting the people in their precincts to the polls because theyve registered them, called them, went to their doorsbecause they know them.
Overall, were winning early vote in the battleground states that will decide this electiona key part of our plan to get to 270 electoral votes. Were outperforming our early vote margins in key states compared to 2008, and were ahead of where we were against John McCainand most importantly, ahead of Mitt Romney.
You cant fake a real ground game, and you cant underestimate early vote. When more people get to vote, its a good thing.
Source:
http://www.barackobama.com/news/entry/inside-the-early-vote-numbers
Some good comments at bottom of article
frazzled
(18,402 posts)Throughout the primaries and general election in 2008, the Obama team was all about strategizing the numbers, keeping the eyes on the prize. And that's how they won in both cases.
Now, let's hope their skill at this works again.
Dalai_1
(1,301 posts)There are so many positive links from people I "follow" on
Twitter about our President's campaign!
Thanks for your response!
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)K & R
Dalai_1
(1,301 posts)I think many might find value in this..it is comforting to me
when I see this type of information!