Update [2004-11-9 23:19:29 by dotpeople]: 35,000 absentee ballots showed up in Pasco County on Nov 1st and 2nd, bringing the total pre-election turnout (early voting + absentee) to at least
45%. A total of 88,000 votes are reported as being cast before election day, out of a total 192,000 votes. A Gallup poll of FL early voters showed Kerry leading Bush. Yet Pasco's 88,000 early voters are reported as voting almost exactly the same as election day voters.
2004 was the first presidential election in which Floridians had the option of early voting and by news accounts, many people took advantage of the option.
Questions follow the break.
1. Were exit polls were taken for early voting?
2. Are there other sources of data on the demographics of early voters and absentee ballots? Dem GOTV, anecdotal, newspaper reports, photos, buttons?
3. Why don't counties break out their reporting of early votes the same way they break out reporting of absentee ballots? Are early votes not distinguished by the voting machines?
4. I recall John Edwards encouraging early voting in Florida. Was there a comparable effort by BC04 to promote early voting?
5. To what extent did voters in touch screen counties use absentee ballots for their perceived value as a paper trail?
6. Picture ID or an "affidavit" was required for early voting. Does anyone know what was attested by the affidavit? Did Dem GOTV address the photo ID vs. affidavit requirement in minority neighborhoods? Are the affidavits available today as an auditable paper trail?