Comment on Why is voting before the deadline in US elections referred to as 'early voting'?
AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Historically, all regular voting was done in-person on election day and mail-in ballots were a special exception (e.g., for people with disabilities). It’s only in the last few election cycles that voting by mail became the norm, and most people still use the pre-existing terminology.
I’ve voted 'early, in every election I’ve participated in. For as long as I’ve known, which is about to be 4 presidential and all of the elections in between, the polls have always been open for weeks.
That’s approaching 20 years, I don’t think it’s a new concept really at this point.
That’s less than 10% of the country’s life. Just because you didn’t exist before you were born does not mean that others did not.
…20 years…4 presidential elections?
Did you miss a few? Or am I worse at math than I thought?
Both answers are correct. 20 years divides into 5 sets of 4, but that’ would only be 5 elections if you started counting on an election year.
Sorry 15 years 2010 midterm and forward.
“Approaching 20 years” so exactly 20 years ago is 2004, which makes 5 elections not counting the present one: Bush Jr. 2.0, Obama, Obama 2.0, Trump, Biden. Figuring this person turned 18 and registered to vote in, say 2006 and missed voting in the 2004 election, that would be 18 years and 4 elections, this current one would be 5.
4 × 4 = 16, I don’t understand where the confusion is coming from, bud lol
It’s a state-level policy, and there have been a few states that were ahead of the curve.
I like to think we’re doing it right, and possibly setting an example for other states to follow. brennancenter.org/…/michigan-blazes-path-pro-demo…
Not every state allows it and if they do it has to be a special reason in most states. So you must live in a lucky state or had an excuse every year
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Upvoted for correct, accurate, and complete information. I really don’t have much to add, other than to say good work!
protist@mander.xyz 3 weeks ago
The question was about early voting though? Voting by mail is only a small piece of the early voting total in most states