As expected, the Democrats came out in force in their strongholds throughout Florida…but not as much as in 2008. The RNC has released its analysis of the first day of Early Voting in Florida, and included the following:
“Day one of early vote is a case in point. In 2008 the GOP only outvoted Democrats in 15 counties. Through one day we have almost doubled that number up to 26. The GOP cut into the Democratic lead at the same point in 2008 by nearly 10 points in early voting (from 23.2 in 2008 to 13.5 today). Taking early vote plus absentee returns, the GOP still leads, whereas 4 years ago Democrats had a 7-point advantage.
Key Localities:
- Turnout is up in the most Republican areas of the Panhandle. We are already at almost 14 percent of 2008 early votes in the Mobile-Pensacola market, where Republicans out-voted Democrats by more than 10 points four years ago.
- Turnout is already over 17 percent of ’08 early voting, after just one day, in Martin County. Republicans out-voted Democrats by 13 points in Martin County four years ago.
- Turnout is over 16 percent of ’08 early voting in Indian River County. Republicans out-voted Democrats by 12 points in Indian River County four years ago. (West Palm Beach DMA)
- Turnout is less than 8 percent of ’08 early voting in Miami-Dade County, where Democrats out-voted Republicans by 29 points in 2008 early voting. (Miami DMA)
- Turnout is less than 10 percent of ’08 early voting in Alachua County, where Democrats out-voted Republicans by 41 points in 2008 early voting. (Gainesville DMA)
- Turnout is less than 10 percent of ’08 early voting in Orange County, where Democrats out-voted Republicans by 33 points in 2008 early voting. (Orlando DMA)
While Democrats will continue to try to push as many of their election day voters as possible to vote early to try and run up the score, it is clear that GOP enthusiasm plus gains with independents position Governor Romney for a win on November 6th. “
So there’s the evidence. Looks like a depressed Early Voting Democratic turnout. Without pulling in 2008 numbers, the Democrats are unlikely to win Florida, which Obama only won narrowly in 2008.
Advantage Romney!
Tony – you’ll find out on November 6th when they call FL for Romney at about 8:30 PM
GOP website propaganda. Look at the actual numbers (not percentages compared to 2008). THIS YEAR, The Republicans led by 5 points in absentee ballots. On the very first day of early voting, that number dropped to 1.5 percent. We are still waiting on the second day. Since you like 2008 so much, Republicans led by 15 points in absentee ballots at the same time last year. So, whose support is really falling?