Big surge seen in Democrats' absentee ballots

(I think it's a paid subscription only article, so here are four paras.)

Absentee ballots in Central Florida have exploded in popularity this year especially among Democrats, who are turning to the vote-at-home method in such great numbers that they now might outnumber Republicans voting by mail.

All parties and independent voters are increasing their use of absentee ballots. This year, for the first time in decades, more Democrats requested absentee ballots than Republicans in Central Florida, election officials say.

In Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake counties, elections officials have mailed 40 percent more absentee ballots for the Nov. 4 election than they did in 2010, the last midterm election. More than 136,000 Democrats have received absentee ballots, and about 117,000 Republicans. Another 66,000 have gone to independent voters.

The push also has come from state and county elections officials, who see it as being the least-expensive way to record votes and the surest method for voters who worry about lines and unexpected Election Day time demands

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-absentee-ballot-trends-20141022-story.html