Many polls are now using stats from early absentee ballots to determine which candidate is in the lead. According to CNN, Obama is in the lead with 50% of the votes and McCain has 42% of the vote, as of October 14, 2008.
Absentee voting is a way for those who unable to attend a polling station on Election Day to still get their vote counted. There are several types of absentee voting, but the most popular on is postal votes. Voting ballots are mailed out upon request, and then sent back to the local election board by the voter. Absentee ballots are a great resource to use in predicting the outcome a little early, but some voters like to use absentee for other reasons.
Aisha Wallis, 22, says she votes by mail for the convenience.
“I’m registered to vote three hours away. My husband and I are still in school, so I don’t want to change my permanent address yet because we don’t know where we will be in two years. So it’s just easier to send in my vote rather than spend Election Day driving back and forth,” she said.
Robin Baker, 22, says she was surprise how big her ballot package was this year.
“I knew that I was going to vote for President and U.S. Senate, but I didn’t realize who many state questions there were this election,” Robin said
She said by receiving the ballot early, she had the chance to better inform herself on all the issues.
“If I had just gone in on November 4th, I probably would have just marked things without really knowing how to vote. I’m glad I had the time to look over every question,” Robin said.
Garrett Baker, 23, lives in California now, but says he uses absentee ballot for state pride.
“I am voting for Obama, and I know he probably won’t win in Oklahoma, but I want my vote to be counted in the state I call home,” Garrett said. “Who knows maybe my vote will make a little difference.”
It is now past the date to register to vote in Oklahoma, but if you are already registered somewhere, you can still apply for absentee ballots.
Go to, http://www.ok.gov/~elections/absentee.html for more information.
The deadline for absentee application is October 29. You must have sent back the filled out ballot by 7pm Election Day.