Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump has been sending mixed signals when it comes to early voting, a practice he partly blames for his loss to President Joe Biden in 2020. This puts him somewhat at odds with other GOP leaders who have embraced early voting, such as RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Trump’s stance on early voting could have a significant impact on the outcome of a potential Biden-Trump rematch in 2024, especially in key swing states where the race could be decided by a small margin.
When it comes to early voting, former President Donald Trump is like a petulant child forced by a parent to apologize to a sibling after an argument. He'll mouth the words but doesn't seem to really mean it.https://t.co/CaeIJPEbmB
— Conservative News Daily (@ConservNewsDly) November 10, 2023
While Trump initially showed support for the Republican National Committee’s “Bank Your Vote” initiative, which encourages Republicans to vote early, he has also expressed doubts about the process. Trump’s past rejection of early voting may have cost Republicans in the past, as it can dampen voter turnout. Early voting has been embraced by Democrats in recent elections, and Trump seems to have only recently recognized its potential to boost his support.
However, Trump’s reluctance to expand beyond his base and his messaging discouraging voters from participating in elections could be detrimental to the GOP’s chances of winning. It is crucial to motivate voters and encourage high turnout, as it benefits whichever party does a better job of mobilizing their supporters. Trump’s continued claims of a rigged system and his lack of a clear “get out the vote” message could pose a problem for his Republican Party going forward.
