Ask Hubski: Why do Democrats vote earlier than Republicans?
I've searched the web for some kind of cogent answer but all I get is that "it's convenient". Do people basically just have a difficult time getting off work to stand in line? Or is there something else? What am I missing?
Funny article. It's "sleazy" to have one set of voting hours to benefit one group but treated as normal to have have another set to benefit another group. This is why my eyes always feel dirty when I read the NYT. Anyhow, I'd be surprised if there was a nationwide difference between early voting in parties across a number of elections. The last election where very young people helped elect The W0n might have had a substantial early voting bias towards D's, just given their general life behaviors. At least logically, I don't know of any research. -XC
I would guess it's due to young voters and educated voters disproportionately voting for Democrats. They seem more likely to even be aware of the ability to vote early and more likely to have difficulty getting time off on voting day (more likely to work 'shit jobs'.) "It's convenient" mostly sums it up I'd say. Some strong Republican demographics (retired for instance) seem less likely to be aware of this option or find it no more convenient to vote on election day than early. edit: This is 100% postulation.
I would think that the reasons you outline are valid. I've never voted early before. I always feel like something big could be divulged last minute. For example, what if we find out Obama is really a secret Muslim socialist that was born in Kenya and wants all white people to pay a 90% tax rate? It could happen, maybe CNN will get their hands on his diary.