COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio history professor's analysis of absentee ballot requests has found a significant shift in Republican enthusiasm in the battleground state since 2008.
The University of Dayton's Larry Schweikart (SHWEYE'-kert) tallied absentee ballot requests so far in 2012 and compared them to similar requests four years ago. His review showed a 7-point swing in favor of the GOP.
Still more Democrats than Republicans requested early ballots, but Democrats' percentage advantage has shifted from 33-19 in 2008 to 30-23 this year.
Schweikart found some of the most significant swings came in the state's large, heavily Democratic urban counties. Summit County, where Akron is located, led urban counties in pro-Republican swings with a 24-point shift.
The analysis assumes undeclared voters will split evenly between Republicans and Democrats.
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Online:
Absentee Ballot Study: http://bit.ly/QI0zsv
