In a surprising shift, Republican officials, including former President Donald Trump, are urging voters to cast their ballots by mail. This marks a significant departure for a party that previously spread rumors about the unreliability of mail-in voting. However, the move is seen as a necessary course correction for an election that is expected to be decided by slim margins in key swing states.

The change in strategy comes as Republicans recognize the benefits of mail voting, which allows them to secure votes ahead of Election Day and mitigate the risk of low turnout due to unfavorable weather or other unpredictable factors. Previously, both Republicans and Democrats were equally likely to vote by mail. However, Trump's preemptive criticism of mail balloting during the 2020 presidential race caused a major shift, with Democrats embracing it more enthusiastically amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The consequences of this shift were seen in Nebraska's Republican primary, where three top-of-the-ticket Republicans who aligned themselves with Trump's claims of mail ballot unreliability urged their supporters to vote in person on Election Day. These candidates ultimately lost, with significant gaps in the results. Notably, an election machine malfunction in one-third of the polling places in the state's largest county led to long lines and frustrated voters.

Realizing the need to prevent a repeat of such losses, Republicans are now vowing not to leave any potential votes behind. Lara Trump, the chair of the Republican National Committee and Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, has pledged to embrace various legal election methods, including "ballot harvesting" - where individuals can collect and turn in mail ballots on behalf of other voters. The focus is on leveraging every available tactic within the rules of each state.

To support this new approach, Turning Point Action, a prominent pro-Trump group, has launched a $100 million campaign aimed at reaching infrequent voters in swing states such as Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Their efforts will include promoting mail voting as a convenient option for casting a ballot.

"While we would prefer elections to be run in the traditional way, we cannot ignore the rules that Democrats have used to their advantage," stated Andrew Kolvet, spokesperson for Turning Point Action.

The Republican Party's push to 'correct the narrative' on mail voting reflects a recognition that it could be a determining factor in this year's election. With razor-thin margins expected in several swing states, embracing all available legal tactics and making voting easier for all voters, including through mail-in ballots, is seen as crucial. The dynamics surrounding mail voting have clearly shifted, and Republicans are keen to adapt and win at their opponents' own game.