Former President Donald Trump has announced a strategic shift to bolster Republican early voting, mail-in, and absentee ballot participation ahead of the upcoming November presidential election. Dubbed “Swamp the Vote,” this initiative represents a significant change from Trump’s previous stance on these voting methods.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Trump emphasized the necessity of using every available tool to ensure a Republican victory. “Republicans must win, and we will use every appropriate tool to beat the Democrats because they are destroying our country,” he said. He further added, “Whether you vote absentee, by mail, early in-person, or on election day, we are going to protect the vote. We make sure your ballot is secure and your voice is heard. We must swamp the radical Democrats with massive turnout. The way to win is to swamp them, if we swamp them with votes they can’t cheat. You need to make a plan, register, and vote any way possible. We have got to get your vote.”
This initiative appears to be a successor to the Republican National Committee’s “Bank Your Vote” plan initiated under former RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. Trump, who has historically criticized mail-in ballots and absentee voting for potentially facilitating voter fraud, now advocates for their use in states where they are permitted.
Trump’s rhetoric reflects a pragmatic approach to current electoral realities. “In the states where ballot harvesting is still legal, we have no choice but to beat the Democrats at their own game,” he said last year. “Either we start ballot harvesting or you can just wave goodbye to our country … we have to get smart.” In April 2024, he reiterated on Truth Social that “absentee voting, early voting, and election day voting are all good options” for Republicans, urging them to “make a plan, register, and vote” in the forthcoming election.
Other Republicans echo this sentiment. Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, has emphasized the importance of leveraging all legal voting methods to maximize turnout. During a GOP event in North Carolina, she urged, “Any way you can vote and as early as you can vote, get your vote banked.” She highlighted the party’s comprehensive plans to ensure robust ballot collection efforts, stating that these plans are “well underway” and “going to be huge.”
The announcement coincides with a significant fundraising achievement for Trump’s campaign and the RNC, which reported raising $141 million last month. This surge in donations, driven by small contributions, underscores the strong grassroots support for Trump. Campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita noted, “We are moved by the outpouring of support for President Donald J. Trump,” attributing the fundraising success to Americans’ desire for a return to prosperity and success under Trump’s leadership.
In response, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, Ammar Moussa, expressed skepticism about the reported figures and criticized Trump’s reliance on wealthy donors. “One thing’s for certain: Trump’s billionaire friends are propping up the campaign of a white-collar crook because they know the deal—they cut him checks and he cuts their taxes while working people and the middle class pay the tab,” Moussa stated. Despite this, the momentum and support behind Trump’s campaign remain strong as the election approaches.
