Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon believes that Republicans have a good chance of winning back Georgia in the upcoming election by targeting two key blocs: early voters and those who lean Republican but are apathetic about voting. Early and absentee voters were crucial to President Biden’s victory in 2020, and McKoon emphasized the importance of motivating these voters to turn out early to free up resources for targeting low-propensity voters. The goal is to get these voters to make a plan and vote early so that the party can focus on getting other supporters to the polls on Election Day.
McKoon highlighted the lessons learned from the 2020 election, particularly the importance of early voting. He stated that Georgia Republicans traditionally haven’t focused on getting their voters to the polls early, which resulted in a last-minute push to get voters out on Election Day. By encouraging early voting, the party can concentrate on reaching out to low-propensity voters who are likely to support President Trump if they are motivated to vote. This outreach requires significant resources such as direct voter contact, mailers, ads, phone calls, and door-knocking, all of which the party is actively pursuing.
One key demographic that the Trump campaign is targeting in Georgia and nationwide is Black male voters. Securing approximately 20% of support from Black men could be crucial for Trump’s reelection, and efforts are being made to appeal to this group. Economic anxiety and concerns about open borders policies have been cited as reasons for Black voters to consider supporting the Republican party. Grassroots movements like Black Voices for Trump are actively engaging with Black voters to encourage their support for the GOP.
Georgia’s early voting period is set to run from October 15 to November 1, giving parties a limited window to mobilize voters and secure their support. McKoon expressed cautious optimism about the party’s chances in Georgia, citing recent polling that shows Trump with a slight edge over Vice President Harris in the state. Early figures on absentee voting also indicate a competitive race in Georgia, which was won by Biden in 2020 by a narrow margin. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has added urgency to the need for early and absentee voting efforts in the state.
McKoon emphasized that the key strategy for Republicans in Georgia is to leverage early voting to their advantage. By getting supporters to turn out early, the party can allocate resources more effectively towards engaging with low-propensity voters and expanding their base of support. McKoon stressed the importance of reaching out to voters multiple times through various channels, including direct contact, to ensure that the party’s message resonates and motivates voters to cast their ballots for the GOP. With the election approaching, both parties are ramping up their efforts to secure critical blocs of voters and ultimately win Georgia’s crucial battleground state.
