JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Like fishing in a stocked pond instead of an ocean, politicians are trying to catch votes by targeting phone calls and fliers at voters who have already applied for absentee ballots.
Under laws well known to political strategists but perhaps not to the public, candidates in some states can ask local election officials for lists of people who have requested absentee ballots — and then campaign directly to them.
The tactic could make a critical difference in this tight election year, especially given the fact that absentee voters are highly likely to cast their ballots. The strategy is playing out in several swing states that could decide the presidential election, including Ohio and Missouri.
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