News Summary

HAMILTON — More than twice the number of absentee ballots were cast by Butler County voters in last week's election than in the 2002 mid-term election.

Experts say this means politicians will likely need to change their political strategy to reach those voters sooner. Any registered voter now can request an absentee ballot without a reason and cast that ballot — in person or by mail — up to 25 days before a primary and 35 days before a special and general election.

Last Tuesday, 13,180 voted absentee — a dramatic increase of 8,111 or 160 percent more than in 2002, said Betty McGary, deputy director of the county Board of Elections.

"People found out that they could vote their ballot at their leisure, at the kitchen table, where they could take their time and study the issues," McGary said. "This is only a very brief snapshot of what we are going to see in the 2008 presidential (election)."

McGary predicts 30,000 absentee voters — nearly 25 percent of voter turnout in a presidential election — in 2008.

Unsuccessful Democratic Auditor Candidate Jack Zettler noted last week that his campaign could have started earlier with nearly 12 percent voting before Election Day in his race. Zettler and many candidates sent mailers to those who requested absentee ballots. But, holding off on advertising and door-to-door blitzes until the last weeks could lose votes.

"It will absolutely change the dynamics on campaigns," GOP chairman Tom Ellis said of the increase in absentee voting. "The days of sitting on your stores and holding on to financial resources for a last seven-day push may not be the best strategy anymore."

Absentee voting and the media helped better turn the wheels of democracy and mobilize voters to a 54 percent turnout, McGary said. That trend will also impact campaigns, she said.

As a sign that some inactive voters were motivated to the polls, provisional votes grew to 5,160, up from 1,999 in 2002.

McGary said, "If you look at the dramatic increase in the number of absentee and provisional, it's not only a combination of added voter interest, but I think the young voting generation also added to the voter rolls."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or cbrooks@coxohio.com.