"Much-hyped Turnout Record Fails to Materialize; Convenience Voting Fails to Boost Balloting"

American University's Center for the Study of the American Electorate published some very interesting preliminary analysis on voter turnout in the 2008 election. The study argues that 2008 turnout did not differ substantially from 2004 turnout, and "convenience voting" initiatives (i.e. all-mail balloting, no-excuse absentee balloting, early voting, Election Day registration, etc.) failed to significantly enhance voter turnout. So while the Obama campaign's voter registration initiatives and get out the vote efforts should be applauded, they should probably not be heralded by the media as revolutionary. This election, like any other, was decided by who went to the polls AND who stayed home. In short: it's the candidate, stupid.