Before then [1845], states were allowed to hold elections any time they pleased within a 34-day period before the first Wednesday in December, but this system had a few crucial flaws. Knowing the early voting results could affect turnout and sway opinion in states that held late elections, and those same last-minute voters could potentially decide the outcome of the entire election.” Based on this evidence, what was probably one of the “crucial flaws” in the voting system before 1845?

One of the "crucial flaws" in the voting system before 1845 was:

Releasing the results from early voting before latter votes.

Explanation:

The results obtained from early voting from staggered elections should not be made public.  In short, the votes should not be counted to avoid speculation.  This is important, otherwise, some of those who would vote later in the staggered elections would be motivated to vote based on the released results.  They may decide to go with the flow or against.  But, if the results are withheld, the late voters would vote devoid of any bias.

it made them more prductive and efficent but with the change of polcies less and les got into the navy