Early voting may have helped sink Mooney
Maryland's venture into early voting didn't make much difference in the outcome of statewide races, but there's at least one legislative contest in which it might have had a significant effect.
In the District 3 Senate race, Democratic challenger Ron Young's strong lead in early voting gave him a 665-vote margin over GOP Sen. Alex Mooney at the end of election night vote counting.
Young actually trailed Mooney in votes cast on election day, but vaulted past the incumbent on the strength of the 878-vote majority he built up before Election Day in Frederick County as Democrats made maximum advantage of the opportunity to vote early. (The district includes a sliver of Washington County, where Mooney prevailed by 118 votes. Washington County did not break out early votes on its web site.)
Now this doesn't mean the people who voted for Young early wouldn't have found their way to the polls on Election Day anyway. But early voting certainly gave Young a cushion going in to the final day, and he used it.
No wonder Republican Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. vetoed an early voting bill while he was governor. And no wonder the Democrats in the General Assembly overode that veto.
Comments
The early voting should be checked to make sure people did not vote twice. The democratic rallys asked voters to vote early and vote often. This is a old Chicago tactic.
Posted by: David | November 3, 2010 6:22 PM
^^This is unfounded rhetoric! Did you attend any democratic rallies? No one is telling any one to vote often. Its automated in Maryland anyway. No more paper ballots with rosters.
Posted by: Renee | November 4, 2010 1:09 AM
Here is some additional info on the early vote impact on this race.
http://airitoutwithgeorge.blogspot.com/2010/11/early-vote-provides-win-for-young.html
Posted by: George Wenschhof | November 4, 2010 8:41 AM
David any evidence, or merely speculation on your part?
"early and often" is an old slogan dating back to before the civil war.
It is often used by politicians and supportersfrom both sides of the aisle in a tongue-in-cheek way.
Posted by: Tony | November 4, 2010 3:55 PM
Whatever the reason let's give thanks that Moody is gone. Good riddence.
Posted by: gary | November 4, 2010 10:27 PM