Indiana

AN EARLY LEAD FOR ELROD?

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Although the latest polls show him behind, Republican State Representative Jon Elrod may have an early lead over Democrat City-Councilor Andre Carson in the race for the 7th Congressional District.

According to the Marion County Clerk?s Office, more than 6,400 voters have either requested absentee ballots or have come into the office and voted early.

And in the race for absentee voters Republicans have either turned in or requested 100-200 more absentee ballots than Democrats, according to local GOP officials.

I am also hearing that Elrod is also getting votes from soft Democrats and hard Democrats who don?t want Carson to win the March 11 special election because it would make him tougher to beat in the May primary.

And while a Republican or Democratic requests for an absentee ballot don?t guarantee a Republican or Democrat vote, it does show that this race may be a lot closer and a lot more interesting than anyone originally thought.

I think the wild card in this race will be how many Democrats either stay home or vote for Elrod because they are supporting one of Carson?s primary opponents or have a grudge against the ?Carson machine.? I equate it to a Colts fan rooting for their two favorite teams, the Colts and whoever is playing against the New England Patriots.

Just for the record, there are less than 1,800 absentee votes cast in the May 2007 primary, more than 13,000 in the 2006 general election and more than 27,000 absentee ballots cast in the 2004 general election.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 06, 2008 (boomark / email).