Welcome to November 2024, the month I’ve been waiting for since November 3, 2020. This is the month we finally have the chance to expel the disgrace that is Joe Biden from the White House.
I spoke with a local precinct committee member who has canvassed 200 homes in her district so far this election cycle. She’s been a vocal proponent of voting early, which neither I nor the missus have ever done until this election, with her encouragement.
(I’ve always been a purest, voting on Election Day, where I would go stand in line to cast my vote with others from my community. Although I must say that in the last few elections I’ve voted in, turnout has been disappointingly low, so it’s not the community activity it used to be.)
This precinct committeewoman (PC), who’s been doing this for 25 years, said there are at least three reasons to vote early, and I pass them on to you for consideration.
The first is that when you vote early, you bank your vote early. The reason that’s important is that if your vote is already counted, “they” (those who might be looking for ways to cheat) can’t change the numbers of those who voted early, because they’ve already been counted and are locked in. On election day, there’s more opportunity for bad actors to rig the vote in real time and less chance they’ll be caught. Flood the polls early so that the “banked” numbers are so large it’s “too big to rig.” Democrats have used that tactic to their advantage, and Republicans need to do the same.
The second reason is to promote efficiency and reduce cost. This PC gets a list of registered Republicans who have NOT yet voted and makes a personal visit, going door-to-door in neighborhoods. It can take a long time to make those visits. However, if someone votes early, their name is taken off the list and the canvasser doesn’t have to make a visit, freeing up time to get to others who have yet to vote and reducing the number of visits that need to be made. The PCs can also save money and time by focusing emails, texts, mailers and phone calls on those who really need a nudge to go vote.
The third reason to vote early is that you reduce the risk of disruption on Election Day. You don’t know what could happen: a power outage, bad weather, illness, travel delays, or long lines. If you go early and something happens to keep you from voting, you can try again another day. If you go on Election Day and something happens—you lose your opportunity.
We voted early and it was easy-peasy lemon squeezy. It felt weird, like it was illegal or something, but everybody was friendly and we went through the same process we normally do when we vote. The only difference was that we voted in a different location than where we normally go to cast our ballots. That’s true for a lot of precincts, so check your local .gov site to find out where to go to vote early. Just google “Where to vote early in <your town and state>.”
Here’s a Brit who is intensely interested in our presidential election and understands the power of voting early.
I think this is first election in which I’ve been much more aware of how much of the world watches our elections. Look at Ms. Berg’s final comment: “Everything is at stake.”
Not only are millions of Americans desperately hoping Trump win (by a blowout!), but other people around the globe are counting on Donald Trump winning. We need to keep our foot on the gas — go vote if you haven’t yet.
Have a great weekend.
Hi Dave, we have voted early for the last few elections and it is so easy. It makes so much sense. Just hope that the Republicans get the message and vote, so the margin for President Trump is “too big to rig”!
Thank you Dave for “getting the word out” for Republicans to get out and vote early. Voting early is a key to Republicans winning this election. I read 60% of Christians don’t vote. Why don’t they want input into choosing our leaders and the policies and values we must live by? Young men voters are an important demographic to vote Republican but I am hearing they don’t vote either. Everyone, get on your phone today, call 10 of your Republican friends and ask them “Have you voted yet?” If they say no, nudge them & encourage them to vote! For your early voting location if you live in IL contact your IL County Clerk’s office or your Precinct Committeeman 😉 Let’s Win!