Early voting a boost for Dems

— -- Democrats are voting early in greater numbers than their Republican counterparts in several closely contested states, reversing a pattern that favored the GOP in past elections.

The trend is evident in Ohio, North Carolina and Iowa, Nevada and New Mexico, state and county figures show. In Georgia, blacks are voting in greater numbers than they did in 2004.

The early voting trend is about even in Colorado. Republicans claim the edge among absentee voters in Florida, but Democrats are voting in far greater numbers at early voting polling places where voters lined up this week.

"This is like a mirror image of what we've seen in the past," says Paul Gronke of the Early Voting Information Center at Reed College. "This cannot be good news for John McCain. It's the 100-yard dash, and (Barack) Obama is already 20 yards ahead."

"It looks good for Barack Obama right now," says Michael McDonald, an elections expert at George Mason University who tracks early voting patterns.

Election officials caution against quick conclusions. "We've still got a long ways to go," says Gary Bartlett, director of North Carolina's Board of Elections.

The District of Columbia and 34 states allow early in-person voting. All states accept absentee ballots. Up to one-third of all voters are expected to vote before Election Day, up from 20% in 2004 and 15% in 2000, Gronke says.

Election records in many states show whether voters are affiliated with a political party or are independent. States that must comply with the federal Voting Rights Act, such as Georgia and North Carolina, also show racial breakdowns. No votes will be counted until Nov. 4.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe says he gauges success by early voters' party affiliation or whether they live in largely Democratic areas. In bellwether Ohio, for instance, he says, "We really like where these votes are coming from."

Republicans say Democrats are wasting their time pushing loyalists to the polls early. "They only get to vote once," quips Rich Beeson, political director for the Republican National Committee. In contrast, the GOP targets "low-propensity" voters who might not come out on Election Day.