Surge in Early Voting Among Republicans as Trump Encourages Early Ballots

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
22/10/2024 21h45

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Republican voters are turning out in impressive numbers for early in-person voting, heeding former President Donald Trump's call to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Nearly 19 million people nationwide have already voted early. This surge includes record-breaking early turnout in swing states like Georgia and North Carolina.

This early voter turnout aims to resolve what some Republicans see as a mechanical issue that hurt them in the 2020 presidential election and key races in 2022. Historically, campaign strategies often focus on encouraging voters to cast their ballots before Election Day, allowing resources to be concentrated on mobilizing more marginal supporters in the final hours. While Republicans previously excelled in early voting, this trend shifted in 2020 when Trump led a campaign against early and mail voting, promoting baseless claims about the integrity of the process. Consequently, many of his supporters waited until Election Day to vote, which some believe may have cost the party significant victories.

This year, however, there is a renewed push within the Republican Party to get voters to cast their ballots early. Trump himself has significantly changed his stance, urging his supporters to vote ahead of time. "I am telling everyone to vote early," he stated during a recent podcast hosted by conservative commentator Dan Bongino. Bongino has previously spread misinformation regarding early voting and the 2020 election, yet the former president's endorsement of early voting marks a notable shift in the party's strategy.

With this strategic re-emphasis on early voting, Republicans hope to replicate past successes and secure crucial wins in upcoming elections.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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