Earlier in the semester we discussed what factors make someone choose to vote. Since a person has an extremely low chance of casting the deciding vote in an election, the marginal benefit of voting can be much less than the marginal cost. Despite this, many voters in Ohio were willing to wait in lines that stretched for two hours in order to vote early this weekend. Most of these voters came as part of the Obama campaign's "Souls to the Polls" initiative.
"Nearly 230 churches across the state joined the Obama campaign Sunday in using church vans and car pools to drive people to the polls. The churches also recruited local restaurants and gospel singers to provide nourishment and entertainment."
This is an example of a social benefit as well as a reduction in the marginal cost of voting. By providing food and entertainment, the Obama campaign is trying to encourage voting to be a social event. This also allows people to be seen voting and get utility from "pulling the lever." These excess benefits gave crowds incentive to vote early this weekend. Also, providing transportation to the polls on a Sunday made it easier for people to vote without missing work.
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