WASHINGTON (AP) - Election Day will be something of an
afterthought for tens of millions of Americans - they'll be voting
well ahead of time.

In fact, six weeks out from Election Day, some voters in
Kentucky, South Carolina and Virginia already are done.

Nationwide, about a third of the electorate is expected to vote
early this year, thanks to expanded early voting provisions and
fewer restrictions on absentee voting, researchers project. In all,
more than 30 states allow any registered voter to cast an early
ballot, some in person and others by mail.

Early voting has been on the increase in recent years: In 2004,
22 percent of voters cast an early presidential ballot; in 2000, 16
percent voted early.

In West Virginia, early voting starts on October 15th. In Ohio, you can begin voting on September 30th.

It's a trend that is fundamentally changing the home stretch of
American political campaigns. October surprises? They'd better come
in September if campaigns want to influence every vote. Get out the
vote operations? They're already under way in some states.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)