Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump and daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, led a rally in Newtown, Pennsylvania on election integrity. The event was part of the RNC’s “Protect The Vote Tour,” which aims to train poll watchers and legal experts to monitor key polling locations across the country. Lara Trump emphasized the importance of ensuring every legal vote is counted in the upcoming election, particularly given the rise of mail-in ballots which have raised new procedural questions.
Joining Lara Trump at the event were RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. All speakers stressed the need for election integrity and were well-received by attendees. Whatley outlined the RNC’s priorities for the tour, focusing on get-out-the-vote efforts and protecting the vote by ensuring state election laws are followed. This includes supporting measures such as voter ID requirements and periodically updating voter rolls in future elections.
Whatley drew upon his experience as an attorney during the infamous 2000 Bush-Gore recount in Broward County, Florida to highlight the importance of being present to uphold the electoral process. He emphasized the critical role that attorneys played in that recount, ultimately leading to George W. Bush winning the presidency. Attendees at the event expressed concerns about election integrity but had varying plans for their civic engagement in the upcoming election. Some attendees, like Kathy Kopp, plan to vote by mail as a precaution, while others, like Lucy Betzler, support voter ID requirements but also plan to vote by mail.
The event included a closed-to-press training session for aspiring poll watchers, reflecting the RNC’s focus on recruiting volunteers to monitor election activities. The party’s shift in stance to embrace mail-in voting was evident during the event, where attendees acknowledged the importance of both in-person and mail-in voting but expressed concerns about potential fraud. Despite differing plans for casting their votes, attendees were excited to hear Lara Trump speak and expressed admiration for her role in the RNC. One woman, who planned to vote in person, praised Lara Trump as a strong woman who is making a difference within the party.
Overall, the event in Newtown, Pennsylvania highlighted the RNC’s commitment to election integrity and the importance of ensuring every legal vote is counted in the upcoming election. With a focus on training poll watchers and legal experts, the party is mobilizing volunteers to monitor key polling locations and uphold state election laws. The support for measures such as voter ID requirements and periodic voter roll updates reflects the party’s emphasis on protecting the integrity of the electoral process. Attendees expressed a range of concerns and plans for civic engagement but were unified in their desire to support the RNC’s efforts to safeguard the vote.
