(DailyVantage.com) – Republicans are making big strides in closing the gap with Democrats on mail-in voting, according to political strategist Jimmy Keady. In 2020, Democrats had a strong lead in early voting, but recent numbers from key states suggest that may be changing, which could be good news for Republicans and former President Donald Trump.
“It’s great news that Republicans are embracing early voting,” said Keady, founder of JLK Political Strategies, in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Data from Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania shows a noticeable drop in the advantage Democrats once held with mail-in voting. According to Decision Desk HQ, the lead Democrats had in mail-in requests has shrunk by over 5% in Florida, nearly 15% in North Carolina, and over 35% in Pennsylvania.
The shift could have a huge impact on upcoming elections, especially in swing states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina. These states are expected to play a big role in deciding the 2024 presidential race, and getting voters out early frees up campaign resources to focus on other, less likely voters.
“I’m sure voters hate all the texts, calls, and mail they get,” Keady said. “But campaigns know that once someone votes early, they can stop bugging that person and focus on someone else.”
This strategy could help Republicans make gains in states where the margins are razor-thin. According to Real Clear Politics polling averages, Vice President Kamala Harris holds a very small lead in Pennsylvania, while Trump is slightly ahead in North Carolina. With such close numbers, turnout could be the deciding factor.
Keady believes the GOP’s growing acceptance of early and mail-in voting could be a game-changer. “It shows that voters are starting to accept that early voting is secure and a good way to make sure your vote counts,” he said.
Republicans were at a disadvantage in 2020 when it came to early voting, but Keady hopes that won’t be the case in 2024. He stressed the importance of getting the base to vote early, saying, “We know it’s safe, and we need to get people to the polls, just like the Democrats have done for years.”
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