Early voter numbers show tight situation in Colorado

DENVER - Marla Soukap is one of thousands of voters in Colorado who decided to vote early. Soukap has traditionally voted by mail.

On Wednesday, she dropped off her mail ballot at one of Denver's early voting centers. This year, she turned in her ballot partially because of her concerns about potential problems at the poll.

"There have been just too many reports coming in from other states already with problems with voting machines, and I don't want to be in long lines in November," said Soukap.

According to early voting statistics posted by Colorado's Secretary of State on Tuesday, 96,104 mail-in ballots were returned by Democrats. Republicans turned in 99,306. When looking at the number of voters who showed up at early voting centers, 9,173 were Democrats and 6,309 were Republicans.

"When you actually add it all together I'm not sure if it's much more than a wash," said Norman Provizer, Political Science Professor at Metropolitan State College of Denver.

Provizer says while it may be an early "wash," early voting is something Democrats are actively courting.

At his many rallies, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has urged supporters to vote early. Provizer says with Obama holding a lead over Republican presidential nominee John McCain (R-Ariz.), Democrats likely would feel more secure having large numbers turn out early.

"I think the Democrats in particular are very antsy over the whole electoral process, relative to voting, after 2000, after 2004, after all the discussions of problems with voting, with all the discussion of people being disenfranchised. I think they would feel most comfortable to lock some votes in as soon as possible," said Provizer.

Ultimately, voter turnout will decide the election, as in the past.

Historically, Republicans have been more consistent in turning out voters. Democrats this election season have prided themselves in registering more new voters.

Provizer says if those new voters actually show up to vote, the Democrats will have a sizeable advantage.

"Ultimately if I say I'm going to vote for a candidate and never turn out and I never vote then what I've said is meaningless," Provizer said.

Provizers says the same applies to the number of requests for mail-in ballots. Democrats in Colorado have requested 23,000 more mail-in ballots than Republicans.

Provizer says while that may sound like a large margin, it means little if those ballots are not turned in.