Early voting has commenced in certain states 40 days before US election day. The Wall Street Journal looks at the recent trend towards early voting and how it affects the campaign.

Writing in the WSJ, June Keibholz reports that 30% of voters cast early votes in the 2004 presidential election.

“Early voting has the potential to alter the way campaigns operate, political analysts say. It takes away some of a candidate’s ability to unveil major initiatives late in the campaign, when voters typically are more attentive.”

Read the full story here.