Noting your “night before the election”, brother.
We need to ELIMINATE all early voting opportunities, excepting the military/SOS/Diplomat voting from service overseas.
As it exists in the State of Texas (for me) I can make an early vote [claiming I’ll be unavailable to vote on 07NOV16]
I can and may provide an additional vote. [voting twice?]
If I’m in-country on 07NOV16, I have the opportunity to vote but...what of my previous “abscention” vote?
Gadzooks! the concept of “early voting” is not in congruence with our constitution!
I voted already by absentee ballot, and also thought of the idea people could vote twice.
But people will get caught, as the ballot is in an unmarked sealed envelope, that unmarked envelope is within another envelope with my name on it with an affidavit to sign. So they will know I voted. I presume when they get it, they check my name off as having voted, just like they do when I am there in person.
So I disagree with your theory early voting should be limited to certain government types. What about the aged that cannot make it? What about those traveling on business or vacationing? The sick? What absentee voting does in increase turnout.
34 states have no excuse early voting, including Texas
https://ballotpedia.org/Early_voting
Texas has 'Early Voting' in a two weeks period before the election and that is the way I've voted for the past twenty/thirty years.
I've no problem with voting early as long as you have proof that you are a citizen to gain the right to vote!
Otherwise, we have given away all our rights--