02 October 2008

Record Turnout Likely for 2008 General Election

States offer election resources, voter education, voting options

Voters in Chicago cast their ballots during the 2008 primary.

By Meghan Loftus
Staff Writer

Washington — A record voter turnout is expected for the 2008 U.S. presidential election, and that prediction is putting new election law reforms to the test.

In 2004, 125 million people voted in the presidential election, about 88 percent of registered voters. Experts believe that turnout in 2008 will be somewhere between 125 million and 200 million voters, the highest numbers in recent memory.

Under the U.S Constitution, state governments — not the federal government — are responsible for conducting elections. There are approximately 7,500 election jurisdictions in the United States and about 200,000 polling places. In recent years, some election officials across these varied jurisdictions have faced staffing shortages, out-of-date technology, weather emergencies and increasing litigation.

But one event focused national attention to the need for reform — an incredibly close 2000 presidential contest in Florida. The outcome of the election hung in the balance as officials struggled to determine voter intent on thousands of paper ballots. As a result, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in 2002. The act provides money to states to improve the administration of federal elections.

“HAVA is a step in the right direction,” said Nathan Cemenska, of the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University, who is the co-author of Key Questions for Key States. “It caused states to update their voting technology and provided money for them to do that. The voting technology we have is better because of that.” (See “Debate Continues over Security, Reliability of Voting Technology.”)

HAVA also funds voter education and outreach programs, training for poll workers and election officials, and improving accessibility to election sites.

VOTER EDUCATION

State and local governments have been working overtime to prepare for elections.

“Dramatic increases in registration figures and predictions of high turnout are driving state preparations this year,” said Pedro Cortés, Pennsylvania secretary of state, testifying before the House Judiciary Committee. “Nearly 58 million Americans voted in the 2008 presidential primaries. Based on the successful outcome, there is every indication that states will be fully prepared for a potential record turnout in November.”

Cortés is president of the National Association of Secretaries of State, which just released a report detailing such preparations. According to Engaging the Energized Electorate, educating new and experienced voters alike is a top priority this year.

States have created videos, brochures and Web sites on registration, polling place locations and Election Day procedures, and have gotten creative in the process. Some states, including New Mexico and Maine, held competitions to produce the best public service announcements on voting and civic engagement. In Missouri, officials posted their video guide to voting on MySpace, YouTube and other video-sharing sites.

OUTREACH TO SPECIFIC VOTER GROUPS

Many states have targeted young voters specifically. An unprecedented 6.5 million people under 30 voted in the 2008 primaries, and turnout among this demographic in the general election is expected to be high as well.

Twelve states have used social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to reach young adults, and half of all state election Web sites have special pages dedicated to young voters.

Publicity efforts have focused on reaching non-English speakers as well. States such as Connecticut and Rhode Island have translated voting information into many languages, provided voter registration materials at naturalization ceremonies and targeted historically underrepresented groups.

For elderly and disabled voters, states are providing equipment demonstrations and guides.

PREPARATIONS FOR ELECTION DAY

In addition to publicity, states such as Arizona and Arkansas are stepping up their efforts to recruit and train poll workers.

Training has become more intensive in some states. In Iowa, poll workers must complete a three-day certification program, and in Delaware poll workers are taught in a college setting that includes hands-on equipment demonstrations. Five states and the District of Columbia (Washington) allow poll workers to split shifts, giving volunteers the opportunity to work the polls part time and easing staffing shortages.

Many states are hoping people will avoid the large Election Day crowds and vote early or by absentee ballot. Thirty states use early voting, which allows voters to cast their ballots before Election Day. Many early voters will not have to set foot inside a voting center, but instead will mail in an absentee ballot.

Five states, including New Hampshire and Vermont, allow voting by phone, which allows the voter to mark a selection on a telephone keypad to mark a paper ballot. The ballot is printed in election headquarters to be counted with other ballots.

Military personnel overseas can register and receive their ballot electronically in six states.

For more information on the presidential election and voting see Elections 2008.