Is it better to vote early, or wait for the primary day?

[gateley]

In NC, our primary is May 6. We can vote early from April 22 to May 3.

Does it make a difference?

Thanks!

[crispini]

1. Voting early is good

Get it done with, don't worry about it on The Day.

OTOH, in my county, you vote early on electronic machines, paper ballot on election day, so a lot of people like to wait for the day. :D

[Jane Austin]

2. Vote early.

You could

1. Be hit by a bus before then.
2. Get hit by an early hurricane on election day.
3. Endure a tornado on election day.
4. Get the stomach flu on election day.
5. Have two flat tires on the way to the polls.
6. Have to fly out to a funeral the day before election day.
7. Have a sick kid on election day.
8. Forget to vote, as I did yesterday in our runoff for sheriff!

[Justitia]

3. Vote early! You don't want your vote disrupted by machine failures or long lines.

I always encourage early voting - you just never know what can happen on Election Day.

[LisaM]

4. What are the provisions if something happens to a candidate?

I always think back to the Wellstone incident. The number of people who'd already voted for Wellstone exceeded (I think) the difference between Coleman and Mondale in votes. Yet because Minnesota election law wouldn't allow for a new candidate on absentee ballots, any absentee ballot that had been cast could not be counted. So it cost the election.

[gateley]

5. Thanks --

I'll look into if it's machine vs paper, and then decide.

I live literally right next door to my voting precinct, so getting there is no problem. I'd go even WITH the stomach flu!

ANOTHER QUESTION: When we vote early, do they count the votes early, too -- or wait to count until the primary date?

Thanks again.

[Justitia]

8. Votes (incl Early Voting) are counted on Election Day, not before. -eom

[ThomWV]

6. I am not inclined to vote early

A couple of reasons. First off I don't expect any problems with vote count in the county I live in. There is no history of problems at the polls here or with the count after the polls close. So I'm not concerned about that. By voting early I lock in my opnion at a time when I do not know that all available information that might influence my choice has come to light. If I mailed in my ballot a week early sure enough my guy would be found out to be a baby-raper two days later - I just know he would. So I'll wait until voting day myself.

[jillan]

7. Wait!! This was one of Randi Rhodes big issues.

Anything can happen and if you vote early, you can't change your vote.


You must be excited how important your vote is going to be.
Remember how you thought it wouldn't count because you were voting so late? Who wudda thunk? :)

[napi21]

9. I think Randi had a good point early in the primary season when

there were 6 or more candidates. She was mostly referencing how your vote would be wasted if you cast it for Biden or Edwards, and they dropped out of the race before YOUR election day. NOW, since there are only 2 candidates remaining, I would suspect most people have decided who they're going to vote for and we all know neither candidate is going to drop out before the last primaries.

[gateley]

10. I know!

I remember when I was convinced that I'd have the luxury of writing in Joe, because I assumed our nom would be a done deal by now.

I AM excited - although, I admit, I REALLY wanted to "vote" for Joe! :hi:

[gateley]

11. Thanks again everyone --

I appreciate your input -- food for thought! :hi: