By Elizabeth Spillman

In many ways it can be said that we now have an election month in the United States. More and more states have begun to make early voting available to voters, and two states, Oregon and Washington, have transitioned to a complete vote-by-mail system (except for one county).

Election "day" now comes earlier and earlier. While this gives busy Americans more flexibility in when they vote, it also forces candidates and campaigns to change their voter outreach tactics. Estimates are that as much as 40% of those who will vote in the 2010 elections will cast a ballot before November 2.

For pro-lifers it means we need to educate ourselves about where the candidates stand on life issues earlier than ever. NRLC is helping you do just that. Go to: http://stoptheabortionagenda.com/downloads/compare-the-candidates/ or http://www.nrlpac.org.

This is an invaluable resource which you should use your social networks to share with your pro-life family, friends, and colleagues.

EARLY VOTING

In 2010, 35 states are offering early voting, some as early as September 18th. In September , Georgia, Idaho, Maine, South Carolina, Vermont, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Ohio began making ballots available to early voters.

This week alone voters in Arizona, California, Indiana, Montana, Wisconsin, and New Mexico can begin casting ballots in the 2010 midterms.

Later in October, Illinois, Kansas, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Texas, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Utah, Maryland, and Oklahoma will offer early voting opportunities. To find out how to cast a ballot early in your state go to: http://www.nrlc.org/News_and_Views/Sept10/nv091710part2.html

Whether you take advantage of early voting, or if you vote the traditional way on November 2nd, life is on the line this election, and your vote is more important than ever.

To read a complete list of all the early voting, go to http://www.nrlc.org/News_and_Views/Sept10/nv091710part2.html