In the 2012 presidential elections, less than half of Alaska and Hawaii residents voted. Speculation abounds as to the exact reason why so many failed to turn out at the polls, but one key problem many residents have begun to be more aware of in recent years is the interference in the relevance of votes in each state due to the time difference from the East Coast. By the time many reach the polls around 5 p.m. Alaska time, the electoral college votes have already been decided, and a winner announced.
Alaskan and Hawaiian residents request a special early voting period, between 1-3 days prior to election day, to allow them to fully participate in the democratic process on the national level.