Democrats bank on early voting to bridge enthusiasm gap

By Shailagh Murray
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 19, 2010

LAS VEGAS - Walter Grimsley woke up Saturday morning and remembered he had an errand to run. He had to go vote.

The government retiree's phone had been ringing every few hours with reminder calls from Democratic volunteers. Canvassing teams appeared at his door at least 10 times. At a voting booth set up next to the produce section of his neighborhood grocery store, Grimsley cast his ballot for Sen. Harry M. Reid and the rest of the Democratic ticket, just as he had always intended.

The way the Democrats see it, it is worth all of the effort to lock in surefire voters like Grimsley as early as possible. He is one more supporter they don't have to worry about pushing to the polls Nov. 2. That frees up party operatives to badger reluctant voters who need even more coaxing and who are crucial to saving Reid and other imperiled Democrats in the House and Senate.

There's something in it for Grimsley, too. "Now the phone calls will stop," he said.

(More here.)