Despite months of preparations, there are sometimes long lines and inclement weather.

There are voters who are handicapped, elderly or just too busy and over-booked.

But there's an answer that's becoming increasingly popular.

Voting by mail used to be called absentee voting.

But these days, you don't have to be in the hospital or in the military or away at college.

You can request a ballot by mail just because you want to vote in the comfort of your own home, taking your time and studying the ballot without worrying about other voters standing in line behind you.

And thousands of people are doing it.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, visiting Belmont County, said it's only right to make it easy for people to vote.

"It keeps that big crush from taking place, where so many people are coming in at the same time and many people perhaps have to wait in line, especially if it's bad weather," said Governor Strickland. "So I think it's a good thing and I would encourage it. And I hope more and more opportunities like that are made available to the people."

The governor said at least one state has gone to 100 percent mail-in voting.

He said he wouldn't want to make it mandatory in Ohio, because he says some people truly enjoy the process of getting out and going to the polls.

But for most people, he says voting by mail is easier for the voter and definitely easier for the election workers.