A RECORD number of Americans have cast their ballots in pivotal United States states ahead of yesterday's election, with surveys suggesting many of the early voters backed Democrat Barack Obama.
Often waiting in lines for hours at polling stations, about 28.9 million people have already voted in states across the country, according to a university researcher's website, citing figures from states across the country.
The figures shattered records in several crucial states — including Georgia, Iowa and North Carolina — and were likely to set a new record for the country as a whole compared to the last presidential election four years ago, said Michael McDonald, associate professor at George Mason University in Virginia.
"Tens of millions of people have already cast their ballot for the 2008 presidential election," McDonald wrote on his website.
"The question remains if this means a greater share of the 2008 vote will be cast early, if turnout will be up overall, or — as I suspect — a combination of these two factors are in play."
About 121 million people voted in 2004, and this year's early voter turnout would represent a quarter of that total. But McDonald and other electoral experts have forecast a higher overall turnout for the 2008 polls, and they say the early voting could signal the biggest turnout in US history.
Figures showed more Democrats than Republicans had voted early and polls over the past week indicated Obama enjoyed a lead over Republican rival John McCain among early voters, many of whom were African-Americans.
In Ohio, amateur videos posted on the web showed long lines stretching for several city blocks in Cleveland during early voting over the weekend.
University students in Columbus voting for the first time said they had waited in lines for more than six hours to cast their ballots.AFP
Often waiting in lines for hours at polling stations, about 28.9 million people have already voted in states across the country, according to a university researcher's website, citing figures from states across the country.
The figures shattered records in several crucial states — including Georgia, Iowa and North Carolina — and were likely to set a new record for the country as a whole compared to the last presidential election four years ago, said Michael McDonald, associate professor at George Mason University in Virginia.
"Tens of millions of people have already cast their ballot for the 2008 presidential election," McDonald wrote on his website.
"The question remains if this means a greater share of the 2008 vote will be cast early, if turnout will be up overall, or — as I suspect — a combination of these two factors are in play."
About 121 million people voted in 2004, and this year's early voter turnout would represent a quarter of that total. But McDonald and other electoral experts have forecast a higher overall turnout for the 2008 polls, and they say the early voting could signal the biggest turnout in US history.
Figures showed more Democrats than Republicans had voted early and polls over the past week indicated Obama enjoyed a lead over Republican rival John McCain among early voters, many of whom were African-Americans.
In Ohio, amateur videos posted on the web showed long lines stretching for several city blocks in Cleveland during early voting over the weekend.
University students in Columbus voting for the first time said they had waited in lines for more than six hours to cast their ballots.AFP
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