The phrase 'vote early and vote often' originated in Ireland, I have always supposed. Brewer's Dictionary of 20th Century Phrase and Fable does not have it at all, possibly supposing it to be earlier in origin.
Safire's New Political Dictionary attributes it to John Van Buuren, a New York lawyer and the son of President Van Buuren. Never heard of either of them? Me neither.
Wherever the origins of this phrase lie, it can scarcely ever have been so applicable - at least without breaking the law - as it is in our current elections.
While some people, having carelessly not bothered to register, do not have a vote at all, others enjoy an embarrassment of riches.
Talking of riches immediately brings to mind those fortunate gentlemen who registered small collections of companies as members of the Real Estate Developers' Association, no doubt wishing to subsidise the activities of this important body without committing the immodesty of making a personal donation to its funds.
It transpires that all the pillars of Cayman Islands corporate society who so joined the association can now enjoy a vote in the forthcoming election. I suppose this just shows what an international city Hong Kong is: having long ago enfranchised Swiss banks and German insurance companies, we are now demonstrating our commitment to the Third World.