Written by Sarah Thompson.
On June 4, 2024, Donald Trump took a surprising turn by officially endorsing early voting, mail-in ballots, and absentee voting. This marked a significant departure from his previous stance, where he heavily criticized these methods and cast doubts on their legitimacy during the 2020 election. His new initiative, Swamp The Vote USA, incorporates these non-traditional voting methods, with the Republican National Committee’s Trump Force 47 grassroots organizing program promoting them.
Trump emphasized the necessity of using all available tools to ensure a Republican victory. “Republicans must win and we will use every appropriate tool to beat the Democrats because they are destroying our country. Whether you vote absentee, by mail, early in-person, or on election day, we are going to protect the vote. We make sure your ballot is secure and your voice is heard,” he declared. Trump urged his supporters to overwhelm the Democrats with sheer numbers, making it impossible for any potential cheating.
Mobilizing the Base: Trump Force 47
The Trump campaign has underscored the importance of their Trump Force 47 initiative. This program aims to generate new absentee or mail ballot registrations and early in-person voting commitments through personalized voter contacts. Trump has been vocal about the need to mobilize voters in every possible way, saying, “We must swamp the radical Democrats with a massive turnout. The way to win is to swamp them, if we swamp them with votes they can’t cheat. You need to make a plan, register, and vote in any way possible. We have got to get your vote.”
This strategic pivot is driven by the understanding that Democrats outpaced Republicans in absentee or mail-in ballot usage in the 2020 election by a significant margin, 58% to 32%. Recognizing the effectiveness of these methods in increasing voter turnout, Trump’s campaign aims to leverage them to their advantage in the upcoming elections.
From Opposition to Endorsement
Trump’s endorsement of early voting and mail-in ballots marks a stark contrast to his previous rhetoric. During the 2020 election, he frequently labeled mail-in voting as “totally corrupt.” However, a change in perspective came to light in April of this year when he posted on Truth Social, “ABSENTEE VOTING, EARLY VOTING, AND ELECTION DAY VOTING ARE ALL GOOD OPTIONS. REPUBLICANS MUST MAKE A PLAN, REGISTER, AND VOTE!”
The catalyst for this shift was the unexpected surge of mail-in votes for Joe Biden in the closing moments of the 2020 election, particularly in swing states. This surge led Trump to reconsider his stance and embrace these voting methods as essential tools for ensuring a Republican victory in future elections.
Our Take
The embrace of early voting and mail-in ballots by Donald Trump and the Republican Party signals a pragmatic shift aimed at increasing voter turnout. While it may seem contradictory to his past criticisms, this move reflects a strategic adaptation to current electoral realities. However, this sudden endorsement raises concerns about consistency and the genuine commitment to electoral integrity. It’s crucial for voters to stay informed and vigilant to ensure that such shifts in strategy do not undermine the democratic process.
