Voting has already started for the June primaries.
Today is Election Day in Virginia. And so is tomorrow. And basically every day up until the June 12th primary. That’s because voters can vote absentee, either mailing ballots or showing up to cast in-person absentee ballots. Recent years have seen the number of absentee ballots skyrocket, and Jeremy Mayer at George Mason University says the Obama presidential campaign transformed how absentee data can be used.
“So when they were going door to door and they have a likely supporter, they’d say we’re glad you’re planning to vote. Do you plan to vote absentee or are you going to vote on the day of the election? And then they’d note that down and keep track of that supporter because if it’s a supporter and they don’t ending up voting, it’s a lost vote.”
So parties are tracking your vote, and if you cast an early vote odds are they’ll stop calling and knocking on your door. So far, though, Geoff Skelley at UVA’s Center for Politics says it hasn’t really transformed Virginia politics.
“There isn’t a ton of evidence that this actually increases turnout. But there is some evidence all mail balloting does increase turnout, especially among groups that are less likely to turn out like younger voters and non-white voters.”
Three states hold all elections entirely by mail. Virginia is on the other end of that trend, and you’ll need to provide an excuse to election officials for not being able to show up on Election Day if you want an absentee ballot.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
