In an effort to combat the perceived threat of Democrats gaining an advantage in early voting, especially by mail, Turning Point Action, a conservative group, is spearheading a $108 million Chase the Vote program. This initiative aims to identify Republican-leaning voters who have not participated 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 recognizes the need to increase Republican turnout in order to compete with Democrats.
The reluctance of Republican voters to embrace early voting is largely attributed to former President Donald Trump’s false claims about mail voting being rife with fraud. As a result, many Republicans wait until Election Day to cast their ballots, leaving them vulnerable to potential issues like bad weather or long lines. While the Republican National Committee has launched a Bank Your Vote program encouraging early voting, Turning Point Action continues to express concerns about the security of mail-in ballots and supports stricter election laws.
The group’s founder, Charlie Kirk, acknowledges the importance of expanding voting options for Republicans and promoting early voting participation. Following their disappointing results in the 2022 election, where Democrats outperformed Republicans in mail voting, Turning Point Action is undergoing a period of reflection and seeking to improve their approach to early voting. Despite previous skepticism about mail voting, Kirk now recognizes the need for Republicans to participate in early voting in order to be competitive.
Turning Point Action’s data-driven approach, led by data director Matthew Martinez, involves targeting low-propensity Republican voters in traditionally red districts. The group aims to mobilize these voters and shift the focus of their election efforts from flipping battleground areas to turning out their base. Additionally, they plan to utilize their infrastructure to support election integrity measures, such as cleaning voter rolls. However, the group faces challenges in securing donor support for this new field operation, as donors typically prefer immediate returns on their investments.
To connect with low-propensity voters, Turning Point Action is employing a strategy of relational organizing, emphasizing one-on-one personal connections over mass messaging. Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer stresses the importance of being relatable and approachable, rather than aggressive or confrontational, in engaging with potential voters. This shift in approach reflects a desire to humanize the conservative movement and appeal to a broader base of supporters, in order to increase Republican voter turnout in future elections.
