The popularity of early voting has increased over the past few years. A recent study by Dr. Michael Bitzer, professor of political science, showed 60% - or 2.6 million - of NC's 2008 general election ballots were cast before election day, up from 30% in the 2004 election. According to Bitzer's study, Democrats successfully used it in 2008, but Republicans made even better use of it last fall.

"The partisan argument is that this only helps one party," Bitzer says. "When I look at the numbers, that just doesn't pan out." 

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N.C. House Acts to Shorten Schedule for Early Voting (CharlotteObserver.com)

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