Friday, November 02, 2007
Absentee Voting Surge
According to Marion County Election Board staff member, Tim Moriarty, the number of absentee ballots cast to date is up nearly 25% over the number of absentee ballots cast during the 2003 general municipal election. As of 10:56 a.m. today, 11,400 absentee ballots had been cast, including 9,038 mail-in votes, 1,788 walk-in votes and 574 travel-board ballots. There were 8,801 absentee ballots cast in the 2003 general municipal election. That 11,400 number is likely to grow appreciably between now and election day. Absentee ballots received in the mail up through the day of the election are counted. Walk-in absentee voting will be conducted through Monday. It would be interesting to see a break-down by party on the absentee ballots cast. The absentee ballots often tip the outcome of a race in close elections.