“The early voting numbers are a little worrying” for Kamala Harris. This was said by Jim Messina, a Democratic strategist who was Barack Obama’s campaign manager in 2012, explaining, in an interview with MSNBC, that this year the Republicans, usually faithful to voting on Election Day, voted in advance with unprecedented percentages.
“The Republicans didn’t do what they did last time,” he continued, recalling that four years ago “Trump said, ‘don’t vote early,’ and they didn’t.” This year, however, they appear “to be ahead in the early voting numbers, so when the data arrives (…) the situation will be a little different from 220 and it’s a little scary.” Messina, however, said he was optimistic about the role that the high turnout among women and young people will have among those who voted early. «When you look at the numbers, what matters are two blocks: women and young people, and these two blocks of voters appear strong. Women make up 55% of the early vote, and in recent days, young voters in key states have cast ballots at historic rates, which has made the Harris campaign very happy.”
Meanwhile, polling stations are open in many states, depending on the time zone and scheduled times. The polls are now open, among other things, also in Pennsylvania, considered the main key state given that its 19 electoral votes up for grabs constitute the biggest haul among the so-called swing states. Among the other latest polling stations to open, in addition to those in Pennsylvania, also those in Ohio, North Carolina, West Virginia and Vermont. And also in Alabama, Dalaware, Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee. Previously they had already opened voting centers in Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine and New Hampshire. In the latter state, the village of Dixville Notch voted at midnight local time and the vote ended in 15 minutes with a tie between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, by 3 votes to 3: since 1960 this very small village is the first of the country to complete the vote in person.
#Worrying #numbers #Tempo
**Interview with Jim Messina: Insights on Early Voting Trends and the Harris Campaign**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Jim Messina. It’s great to have you with us today. Let’s dive right in. The early voting numbers seem to be a mixed bag for Vice President Harris’s campaign. Can you elaborate on your thoughts regarding these trends?
**Jim Messina:** Thank you for having me. Absolutely, the early voting numbers are indeed a bit worrying for the Harris campaign. Unlike in the past, we’ve seen a significant shift where Republicans, who typically wait until Election Day, are casting their ballots early this year.
**Interviewer:** Interesting point. You mentioned that this differs from the 2020 elections, where former President Trump discouraged early voting. How do you think this shift impacts the overall election landscape?
**Jim Messina:** It certainly changes the game. In 2020, the rhetoric from Trump effectively kept many Republican voters from voting early. This year, however, they seem to have embraced early voting, which has created a more competitive scenario for Democrats. As more Republicans vote early, it adds pressure to the Harris campaign as they must counteract that momentum.
**Interviewer:** Despite these concerns, you’ve indicated optimism regarding certain voter demographics. Can you share more about that?
**Jim Messina:** Yes, definitely. What we’re seeing is encouraging among women and young voters. Women comprise about 55% of the early voters, and we’re witnessing historic turnout rates among young voters in key states. These demographics are pivotal for the Harris campaign, so while there’s concern about Republican early voting, there is reason to be optimistic about engagement from these critical voter blocks.
**Interviewer:** How do you think the Harris campaign can best harness this enthusiasm among women and young voters going forward?
**Jim Messina:** The key lies in mobilization and messaging. The campaign needs to maintain momentum by ensuring that these voters feel their voices are heard and their issues are prioritized. Targeted outreach and strategic communication are essential. We must remind voters of the stakes involved in this election and how their participation can shape the future.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jim, for your insights. It will certainly be interesting to see how these trends play out as we approach Election Day.
**Jim Messina:** Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time for both parties, and the dynamics are evolving rapidly.
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**Interviewer:** Stay tuned as we continue to track the unfolding election landscape and its implications.
