re: With huge EV numbers in LA, should know winners quickly after polls close

Early voting- not mail in ballots, the actual usage of a voting machine at a place- is very similar to streaming a TV show to binge, and appealing in the same ways.

Where I live, we had, what, 10 days, and one location was at a library not far from my house. So instead of voting Nov 3 (a day I happen to work), I was able to find time on a day I was off, and do it at my convenience. Did I wait longer in line? Yes, but I didn't have "pressure" to do so. It was still early (before the election date), and I didn't have anything better to do. And heck, that was the most social interaction (being around the most people) I've had this year, outside of work; so I really didn't mind that much. People minded their own business, but were generally friendly and polite, and occasionally you saw someone you knew, and spoke with them. And the folks immediately around you, even if it appeared maybe voting different, were still open to making casual small talk about the weather, etc (it was beautiful that day, and we had another hurricane coming, so weather was definitely a topic).

I can see early voting becoming THE thing to do in the future, as long as it's organized. Everyone knows who they're gonna vote for within a month of the election, just get it over with at some point and go on about your lives.