Early voting begins in US election

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-31-2008 14:19

Early voting for next Tuesday's US presidential election is well under way on US soil and outside. More than 16 million Americans are estimated to have already cast ballots. Observers say it's a record number.

With participation in early voting in the general election going strong in Ohio, voters fill the polls at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday,  Oct. 30, 2008.(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

The heat in California had voters there sweating in long lines on Thursday, with some waiting for about two hours to cast their ballot.

In Florida, many who wanted to avoid queues on election day came in the early hours.

Some came because they will be out of town, while others are afraid confusion or controversy on Election Day will prevent their voting.

A study of early voting data by a professor from George Mason University has shown a very strong turnout so far among blacks and Democrats in North Carolina, Florida and Georgia.

Outside US soil, Americans in Israel are casting early absentee ballots.

"Vote from Israel" Volunteer, said, "They're actually doing their paperwork here privately and putting it in security envelopes and we are mailing it for them to the US in a bag, that is going to the States overnight."

An estimated 40-thousand US citizens living in Israel are expected to vote. Roughly a fourth cast their ballots through the Vote from Israel group.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei