September 29, 2012 by David K. Sutton
Eliot Spitzer – Number of the Day: States Allowing Early Voting
Eliot Spitzer presents his Number of the Day: “32 — That’s how many states, plus the District of Columbia, allow early voting for anyone who wants it.”
Extended quote from Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer on Current TV:
Election day isn’t what it used to be, and that’s a good thing. Decades ago, anyone who wanted to vote early needed to come up with an excuse. But why should we have to have an excuse to exercise a civil right at the core of our democracy? — Which brings us to our number of the day: 32 — That’s how many states, plus the District of Columbia, allow early voting for anyone who wants it with no excuses required. Iowa already started voting yesterday [September 27, 2012], and by one estimate, four out of ten Iowa ballots may end up being cast before November 6th [election day]. Though it means some people will make a decision without watching the debates, it will also mean more voter participation, as well as an easier system for working people who have jobs on election Tuesday. The only disadvantages are for campaign professionals who are used to thinking terms of “October surprise” and “last minute ad saturation.” But these strategies never had anything to do with good governance, and they will not be missed. So to Minnesota, Alabama and New York, as well as the fifteen other states that haven’t adopted no excuses early voting, what’s your excuse for that? – Eliot Spitzer