US: Weeks before Election Day, early voting kicks off

Early voting in the US presidential race begins on Thursday, and millions of people in key states will cast ballots in the weeks to come that could prove decisive on Election Day.

They did in 2008, when President Barack Obama's margin of victory relied to a great degree on early otes cast in such crucial states as Florida, Colorado, North Carolina and Iowa. These days, a call to vote early is a standard plea in Obama's campaign speeches. (AP)