Tuesday's Gone: America's Early Voting Revolution

Election Day is no longer the same as over 60% of American voters cast early ballots in 2020, due to COVID-19. Elliott Fullmer's book "Tuesdays Gone" explores the effects of this new reality, finding that early voting increases turnout by several points but comes with side effects such as down-ballot roll-off, racial disparities, and altered competitive environment.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 182 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Election Day, once a familiar tradition, has undergone a significant transformation. In the year 2020, amidst the global outbreak of COVID-19, a remarkable phenomenon emerged: over 60 percent of American voters exercised their right to vote early. This trend had already been growing, with more than one-third of voters routinely casting their ballots before the pandemic struck. This revolutionary shift in the electoral process represents a seismic change in American democracy. It brings forth a multitude of new opportunities for voters, necessitates innovative procedures for election clerks, and presents novel challenges for political candidates. In his book, "Tuesdays Gone," Elliott Fullmer delves into the profound implications of this emerging reality. Employing cutting-edge data and innovative methodologies, Fullmer reports that early voting is actively engaging new citizens in the electoral process. By examining four recent elections, he demonstrates that the implementation of early in-person and absentee options can significantly boost turnout by several points when vigorously pursued by state and local officials. However, it is important to note that early voting also carries certain unintended consequences. Fullmer cautions that it can lead to a decrease in down-ballot roll-off, exacerbate racial disparities in voting access, and alter the competitive dynamics in presidential nomination contests.

Election Day, once a familiar tradition, has undergone a significant transformation. In the year 2020, amidst the global outbreak of COVID-19, a remarkable phenomenon emerged: over 60 percent of American voters exercised their right to vote early. This trend had already been growing, with more than one-third of voters routinely casting their ballots before the pandemic struck. This revolutionary shift in the electoral process represents a seismic change in American democracy. It brings forth a multitude of new opportunities for voters, necessitates innovative procedures for election clerks, and presents novel challenges for political candidates. In his book, "Tuesdays Gone," Elliott Fullmer delves into the profound implications of this emerging reality. Employing cutting-edge data and innovative methodologies, Fullmer reports that early voting is actively engaging new citizens in the electoral process. By examining four recent elections, he demonstrates that the implementation of early in-person and absentee options can significantly boost turnout by several points when vigorously pursued by state and local officials. However, it is important to note that early voting also carries certain unintended consequences. Fullmer cautions that it can lead to a decrease in down-ballot roll-off, exacerbate racial disparities in voting access, and alter the competitive dynamics in presidential nomination contests.

Weight: 295g
Dimension: 230 x 154 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793652089