CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Heard enough from the presidential candidates? Here's an answer: Vote now and put the election behind you.
Early voting in the presidential race begins Thursday. Millions of people in key states will cast ballots in the weeks to come that could prove decisive on Election Day. They did in 2008, when President Barack Obama's margin of victory relied to a great degree on early votes cast in such crucial states as Florida, Colorado, North Carolina and Iowa.
Republican challenger Mitt Romney is looking to build up that early vote as well and do better than John McCain did in 2008.
Early voting has favored Democrats, drawing heavily from the African-American community. This year, Republican legislatures have tried to limit early voting in states such as Ohio and Florida.
