The GOP needs more of its voters to cast ballots early. What's the problem?

As the Republican primary calendar progresses, party officials emphasize the need for more voters to cast ballots before Election Day, including by mail. This shift aims to reduce the number of GOP voters waiting to vote in person on the final day. However, a significant hurdle remains: overcoming a stigma within the party against early and mail voting, largely fueled by their own rhetoric.

In 2022, Madison Gesiotto Gilbert ran for Congress in a competitive district in Ohio. Despite her efforts, she lost and attributes her defeat to the GOP's aversion to early voting.

"We got killed on the early vote," says Gilbert. "Across the country, there's a stigma within the Republican Party about voting early."

Now a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC), Gilbert notes that many GOP voters waited until Election Day to cast their ballots, even in states with extensive early voting options.

"I personally am not the biggest fan of early voting," Gilbert admits. "But the reality is, it's here. Until things change, we have to play the same game as the Democrats to win."

To address this, the RNC launched the "Bank Your Vote" campaign last summer, encouraging Republicans to embrace early and mail voting. They are enlisting candidates, including former President Donald Trump, to promote this initiative.

"Go to bankyourvote.com to sign up and commit to voting early," Trump urges in a recorded message.

Despite his endorsement, Trump continues to cast doubt on the legitimacy and security of mail voting. This contradiction poses a significant challenge for the RNC, as many Republican leaders have criticized mail voting since 2020, creating deep-rooted distrust among their voters.

Aaron Scherb of Common Cause explains, "Getting voters to unlearn those messages is tough. It's like trying to get a jury to unhear damaging information."

Charles Stewart from MIT notes that Republican skepticism about voting issues is deeply ingrained. "Republicans are more likely to believe fraud is a problem and prioritize securing elections over expanding participation," he says.

Despite these challenges, GOP officials stress the importance of overcoming this skepticism to win elections and reduce campaign costs.

"If voters get out early, we spend less money on them," Gilbert explains. "But if we have to chase them repeatedly, it costs more."

By encouraging core voters to cast their votes early, the RNC hopes to allocate resources to less reliable voters. However, some Republicans remain hesitant.

Stewart points out, "Some voters will see the benefit in helping to beat Democrats, but others will resist due to existing discomfort and distrust."

Additionally, grassroots organizations profit from perpetuating voter fraud narratives, complicating the RNC's efforts to change perceptions.

Overcoming these obstacles is crucial for the Republican Party as it navigates the evolving landscape of U.S. elections.