Democratic Voter Turnout

The Buzz reports that Democrats have outvoted Republicans by 331,274.

Through Saturday, according to the Democrats' latest tally, 38 percent of all Florida voters have cast ballots -- 4.2-million votes in the bank -- and 331,274 more Democrats have voted than Republicans. Another 710,066 independents have voted.

Democrats have cast nearly 52 percent of the 2.55-million early votes, and Republicans nearly 31 percent. Republicans have cast about 48 percent of the absentee ballots returned and Democrats about 36 percent.

Turnout is expected to top 1992. Pollster Nate Silver placed Florida in the McCain win column "IF the national polls tighten significantly (and to reiterate, the likelihood is that they will NOT)." The Real Clear Politics average of Florida polls has Barack Obama at 50 percent. John McCain must win Florida to win the election. The same doesn't hold true for Obama.

Republicans lead in absentee balloting. However, Democrats have had better than expected absentee ballot voting. The turnout suggests that Obama is poised for a big Florida victory. The question is how did the Panhandle Democrats and independents voted. Those voters are McCain's only chance of victory. GOP turnout is not enough.