Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Early Voting Law May Help Obama in Ohio

One-step voting window could boost youth turnout

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 13, 2008 4:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – An Ohio voting law that allows residents to register and vote simultaneously one month before the election may benefit Barack Obama, the AP reports. With one-stop voting available on college campuses Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, thousands could be added to the voter rolls—and Obama leads McCain 2-to-1 among 18- to 34-year-olds. Ninety percent of the nearly half a million college students in Ohio are said to be state residents.


State Republicans have threatened to sue if the one-week window, now available mostly in campus-heavy areas, is not made available statewide. In 2004, John Kerry lost by just 118,000 votes, giving the electoral victory to Bush; only 53% of 18- to 24-year olds voted that year.

Mike Sandberg of Columbus, Ohio, gets instructions on the electronic voting machines from election official Patricia Powell as Sandberg prepares to cast his absentee ballot Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008.
Mike Sandberg of Columbus, Ohio, gets instructions on the electronic voting machines from election official Patricia Powell as Sandberg prepares to cast his absentee ballot Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., looks to take another question from the audience during a town hall-style meeting at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., looks to take another question from the audience during a town hall-style meeting at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., says hello to a young supporter at a town hall meeting at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., says hello to a young supporter at a town hall meeting at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Obama Pushes Don't-Let-Up 'Closing Argument'

Don't Get Cocky, Obama Cautions Supporters

Ohio Must Check Voter Registrations: Court

Obama Wins in a Landslide Among Schoolkids

Obama Looks to Tip Scales by Boosting Black Vote


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne