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Republicans and Democrats have been trying to get voters to vote in recent weeks

Posted on by Kennedy
Republicans and Democrats have been trying to get voters to vote in recent weeks

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The deadline to register to vote in 2024 has already passed in more than a dozen states, and many more places are running out of time until October.

Millions of Americans have registered to vote this year, and the unprecedented recent surge in new voters is likely to throw the heated race for the White House into turmoil.

With Election Day just weeks away, campaigns and nonpartisan organizations are turning their attention to another priority: making sure voters actually show up.

Voter turnout will be an important factor in a presidential election where the candidates are neck-and-neck, with none leading by more than a razor-thin margin in several polls.

Democrats, Republicans and civic groups are taking different approaches to reach voters and encourage participation in November.

Organizations provide a major boost to voter engagement

Former first lady Michelle Obama launched her bipartisan “When We All Vote” initiative in 2018 with the goal of increasing voter turnout. The group's co-chairs include other strong names like Tom Hanks, Steph Curry and Megan Rapinoe.

Their focus is on educating voters about pre- and post-ballot decisions and encouraging a diverse group of Americans to get involved this year.

“We’re not telling you who to vote for, we’re just asking you to vote,” said Beth Lynk, executive director.

When We All Vote launched its “Party at the Polls” program, a series of early voting events across the country, with a block party in Philadelphia and a “Walk to the Polls” with Mark Ruffalo in Arizona on Saturday.

Of the more than 500 events planned, Amanda Hollowell, national organizing director for When We All Vote, said there is something for everyone, such as cookouts and barbershops. Other events include a “Drag Out the Vote” drag show in Phoenix on Friday and a yoga and spoken word party in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on November 3rd.

“I love how creative people can be when we talk about democracy and their vision,” Hollowell said. “And I love how people really try to make it fun.”

Young voters aim to take part in the election

Lynk said that in an election fraught with divisions, fun and celebration were at the heart of her turnout program.

“We’re seeing a lot of excitement and energy,” Lynk said, “especially among young people.”

More than 8 million young Americans will be eligible to vote for the first time this year, accounting for nearly 41 million of all Generation Z voters in 2024.

Voters of Tomorrow, a Generation Z-focused advocacy group that has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, has been pushing outreach to these 18- to 27-year-olds. As of Thursday, the group had contacted more than 5 million young voters directly.

Katy Gates, deputy communications director for Voters of Tomorrow, said they backed away from encouraging Gen Z Americans to register as the last day to do so came and went this week in several places, including Gates' home state of Georgia. Voter education and turnout are now top priorities, she said.

“Life can be hectic, especially as college students,” Gates said. “It's shoulder season, and something like voting can definitely slip through the cracks if you're not overly aware of all of these dates and deadlines and everything you have to do to get it done and get your ballot.”

Campaigns and national parties take part in GOTV campaigns

The Democratic National Committee announced a multimillion-dollar investment late last month in all 50 states, much of which will go toward grassroots voter efforts.

“These dollars will be used to reach key constituencies, strengthen organizational operations and give our field teams the tools they need to win every vote in the final round before Election Day,” said DNC- Chairman Jaime Harrison in a statement. “The stakes couldn’t be higher and this latest investment will give us additional momentum heading into November.”

The $2.5 million move was historic for the DNC, marking the first time the national organization invested money in all states and territories in one cycle. The party received a flood of donations after President Joe Biden left the race and Harris took office.

The Republicans weren't missing from the ground game either.

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly stressed the need for voter turnout during the campaign, while the Republican National Committee is encouraging early voting and devoting more resources to many forms of outreach.

Republicans are also taking a novel approach to targeting Americans who have typically opted to sit out elections.

With the help of outside groups, including the Elon Musk-backed America PAC, Trump and his allies hope to turn off these habitually inactive voters and tip the scales in contested swing states.

“Since his first campaign, President Trump has built the broadest coalition in history, with supporters who never saw themselves as part of the political process before his candidacy,” said RNC spokeswoman Anna Kelly.

The strategy could pay off. However, some Republicans have reportedly expressed skepticism and concern about it.

“This is political misconduct,” Republican strategist Dennis Lennox told CNN. “It’s a Hail Mary.”

But a Trump team official pushed back, saying:The groups complement their field game, are led by experienced Republican activists and are confident in their operation.

“Fighting the Couch”

Election parties also took place on “When We All Vote” in 2020 and 2022. In the last presidential election, the national group found that its early voting program increased voter turnout by about 90 votes per county.

In her conversations with younger voters, Gates said many were unsure less about who they would support and more about whether they would vote at all.

“We’re fighting the couch,” she said. “It's so much easier to just sit on the couch and stay home than maybe take these steps to make sure you get your ballot.”

She added that many of these voters were skeptical that their vote would make any difference.

“And for that I just remind them that the election is almost here,” Gates said.

In 2020, Georgia was decided by fewer than 12,000 votes — “that’s less than the underground population of the University of Georgia,” Gates said.

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