Early Voting Helps Narrow Down Search for Undecided Voters

By Jillian Petrus, Reporter

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By Liz Blood

Story Created: Sep 2, 2012 at 9:04 PM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 2, 2012 at 10:19 PM CDT

LINN COUNTY, Iowa - August again returned a high number of registered republican voters in Iowa. For the first time in six years, more Republicans are registered than Democrats.

This may be something both campaigns are watching closely.

Iowa delegates headed to the Democratic National Convention are sharing the theme "Be the First". This message might be a reminder of the high early voter turnout for the President in 2008.

Currently, there are still more registered independents in Iowa, and on Sunday, we learned early voting can help campaigns narrow down their search for the all-important undecided voter.

"Once they've voted they're kind of out of the universe, not in the game anymore," explained Norm Sterzenbach, the second Vice President Chair of the Linn County Democrats. "By tracking the people who vote early, we can take them off the list that's people we don't have to pester anymore."

According iVoter provided by the Secretary of State, the number of registered democrats requesting early ballots for November outweighs republicans seven to one in Linn County. However, this does not follow the statewide trend. There are still more registered republicans in Iowa and that has Romney campaign leaders feeling confident in early voting numbers.

“Iowa Democrats are urgently trying to make up lost ground after losing their registration advantage for the first time in six years and now confronting a 20,000 voter deficit," said Tom Szold with the Romney campaign in Des Moines. "We have the largest volunteer base and turnout operation that we’ve ever had in Iowa, and the momentum and enthusiasm behind our campaign will carry us to victory on Election Day."

But just because a voter is registered doesn't mean that person will turn out on election day. That's why both camps say they'll do what they can to help Iowans vote early.

Satellite stations open on September 27th. On that same date, you can also go to your county auditor's office to vote. Prior to the 27th, you can request an absentee ballot through the auditor's office as well.

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