Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has expressed concern over Donald Trump‘s criticism of early voting, fearing it could hinder Republican chances in the 2024 elections.
What Happened: Johnson, along with other senior Republicans, is worried that Trump’s negative portrayal of early voting could sabotage his chances of reclaiming the White House on November 5. The senator urged Trump to encourage early voting among his supporters, a suggestion that was met with no resistance from the former president, Reuters reported on Friday.
However, Trump failed to promote early voting at a rally in April, instead expressing his desire to limit voting to Election Day only. This sentiment was met with enthusiastic cheers from his supporters. When Johnson encouraged Republicans to vote early, the response was lukewarm at best.
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Supporters of early voting argue that it increases turnout and mitigates potential Election Day issues such as bad weather or logistical problems at voting stations. Despite this, Trump continues to claim, without evidence, that early voting is susceptible to fraud.
Republican Party leaders in key battleground states are making a concerted effort to encourage Republicans to vote early. The Republican National Committee (RNC) has also expressed support for early voting, but it remains unclear whether voters will embrace this message in light of Trump’s repeated claims of fraud.
Trump’s stance on early voting remains ambiguous. While he has promoted early voting in some speeches, he has also repeatedly called mail-in voting corrupt. This mixed messaging has led to confusion and frustration among some Republicans.
Why It Matters: The 2024 presidential race is shaping up to be a tight contest. According to a recent poll, President Joe Biden leads Trump by just one point. This narrow margin underscores the importance of every vote, making early voting a critical strategy for both parties.
Meanwhile, a significant portion of Americans fear potential political violence following the 2024 election. Another poll revealed that many Americans are concerned about the possibility of unrest if the election results are contested. This concern highlights the need for a smooth and efficient voting process, which early voting can help facilitate.
Image via Shutterstock
This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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