Turning Point Action, a conservative group, is leading an effort to increase early voting among Republicans in response to the perceived advantage that Democrats have in this area. With a budget of over $108 million, the Chase the Vote program aims to identify Republican-leaning voters who have not turned out in recent elections, make personal connections with them, and encourage them to vote early. Despite conservative skepticism of early voting and mail-in ballots, the group believes that increasing Republican participation in early voting is crucial to their success in future elections.
Republican leaders, including those at Turning Point Action, have expressed concerns about the significant disparity between Democrats and Republicans in early voting numbers. In the 2020 election and 2022 midterms, Democrats had a clear advantage in early voting, which potentially impacted the outcomes of crucial races. While the Republican National Committee has launched initiatives to encourage early voting, former President Trump’s continued mistrust of mail-in voting complicates these efforts.
The shift towards promoting early voting among Republicans represents a significant change for Turning Point Action and its founder, Charlie Kirk, who previously criticized mail-in voting as a Democratic power grab. Despite lingering skepticism, Kirk acknowledges the need for Republicans to take advantage of multiple voting options. The group’s vast data operation, led by Matthew Martinez, has identified low-propensity Republican voters in key states and is focused on turning out the base rather than targeting competitive areas.
Chase the Vote faces challenges in convincing wary Republican voters to participate in early voting and overcoming donor skepticism. The group’s emphasis on relational organizing and personal connections, as opposed to aggressive messaging, underscores the need to engage voters effectively. While some conservative donors may prefer traditional ad-based strategies, Turning Point Action believes that investing in grassroots efforts to increase early voting participation is essential for Republican success in future elections.
The mission of Changing Point Action to change Republican voting habits involves a shift towards a more comprehensive and strategic approach to voter outreach. By focusing on early voting and engaging low-propensity voters, the group aims to address the significant advantage that Democrats currently hold in this area. The group’s efforts to navigate challenges such as deep-rooted conservative skepticism towards mail-in voting and the influence of former President Trump reflect a broader strategy to reshape Republican voting patterns.
Overall, Turning Point Action’s Chase the Vote program represents a significant investment in efforts to increase early voting among Republicans and improve their overall electoral performance. By emphasizing the importance of early voting as essential to Republican success, the group seeks to address the challenges posed by Democrats’ advantage in this area. Through a focus on relational organizing and personal connections, Turning Point Action aims to shift the Republican Party towards a more strategic and proactive approach to voter outreach and engagement.
