An interesting story in the Star Press, Muncie IN speculates on why one candidate did significantly better among absentee balloters than did another in a primary for county commissioner.

In precinct place voting, Larry Bledsoe beat Mike King by .4% (50.2 to 49.8). But among those voting absentee, Bledsoe won by 24%. Why the different margin among what was presumably party regulars?

Neither candidate reported that they had a GOTV effort directed at absentee voters, and the Democratic Party said it was neutral.

This is the first time I’ve seen reports of such a differential outcome among absentee voters and precinct voters in a primary–but I have to admit, there are extremely few examinations of early voting in primaries at all.

Research opportunity?