Democrats Surge in Early Voting

Early voting is usually dominated by Republicans, as wealthy, well-educated whites tend to be the ones who turn out. But not this year, the Los Angeles Times reports, as high proportions of Democrats and African Americans are being seen everywhere in the 32 states where voters can cast early ballots without an excuse.

In North Carolina, nearly a million have voted, with Dems outnumbering Republicans 2 to 1. “We’re going to bust every record we’ve ever had,” said a state election official. In Iowa, a state that went for Bush in 2004, 51% of early voters have been Dems, to 28% GOP. Black voters especially have tipped the scales; in Georgia, 35% of early voters have been black, compared to roughly 25% of those who voted in 2004. (More early voting stories.)