As thousands of early voters are lining up at election polling sites, poll trackers are already saying the numbers are record-high in terms of early attendance.
Officially and with only 17 days remaining until the nationally recognized election day on November 03, the Associated Press,has compiled data showing that more than 22.2 million citizens from the district of Columbia and 42 other states have already cast their votes. When compared to the 2016 presidential election in which Trump won, only 58 million voted early, out of the 136 million citizens who voted.
Still, Trump’s campaign team is saying that based on their own data-collection, only one-fourth of those who took part in rallies did not vote in 2016. Based on their current data, they have noted an increase of voters registering as Republicans in the states of Florida, Pennsylvania and North Carolina; suggesting that the early turnout of voters include people who will be casting votes for Donald Trump .
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Popular Reasons Why Americans are Voting Early
Apparently, the ongoing pandemic is a key factor that has been driving Americans to go to the polling sites, weeks ahead of the official Nov. 03 election day.
Majority are anticipating that with the current safe-distancing measure that people have to observe as protection against the infectious COVID-19, millions of voters might jampack polling sites right on election day. While some voters are inclined to vote by mail in order to stay safe, thousands would rather do the voting in person to make sure their votes will be counted.
Not a few voters are also anxious about possible last minute changes in deadlines in light of legal actions being mounted between Republican and Democratic parties. As it is, both parties are throwing accusations of voter suppression and vote stealing that could affect the integrity of this year’s election process.
Some are also citing rumors going around that some groups will attempt to disrupt the proceedings on the day of election. Regardless of whether the rumors are to be believed or not, many in America had thought it best to vote early by mail or in person before November 03.
Food for Thought about the Early Voters
While it is too early to say for sure which candidate is being supported by the early voters, the fact that many are wearing protective face masks gives a hint that they believe the threats of the pandemic is real. When compared to those who attended Trump’s rallies, all seating side by side and without face masks, the stark difference is noticeable.
Public health officials of states in which Trump held rallies reported that several new active cases are linked to the so-called superspreader events, Consider the possibility that many of Trump’s supporters are unable to cast early votes since they have to stay quarantined for 14 days.
Trump should pray hard that those who have been infected will be able to cast their votes for him come election day; or that the infection experience will not make them change their mind about voting for him.
