When absentee ballots first landed on doorsteps in Michigan last month, Paul Hudson, a Grand Rapids lawyer and Republican running for Congress, utilized an app to target likely voters in a densely populated purple community. This conventional strategy contrasts with the approach taken by former President Donald Trump's campaign, which focuses on irregular voters, poll watching, and legal challenges in battleground states.
The Trump campaign's untraditional tactics include urging supporters to use the 10xVotes app to identify non-voting conservatives, conducting election integrity training, and filing lawsuits to restrict voter registration at federal outposts. This strategy has drawn criticism from GOP strategists who question its effectiveness and emphasis on disengaged voters.
Despite skepticism, the Trump campaign believes its approach aligns with the candidate's unique appeal and aims to target new voters in areas previously overlooked. External groups like Turning Point Action and America PAC, backed by tech billionaire Elon Musk, have supported the campaign with canvassing efforts and advertising.
While Musk's investment has boosted the campaign's resources, questions remain about the impact of these efforts on Trump's support. Turning Point Action, led by Charlie Kirk, has shifted its focus to right-leaning low-propensity voters in key battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona.
Trump's ground strategy mirrors the successful model used in Florida in 2016, where targeted messaging and outreach programs helped secure a victory. The campaign's emphasis on turning out low-propensity voters and unconventional tactics like Trump Force 47, an army of volunteers, demonstrate a shift in traditional campaign methods.
As the election approaches, the overlapping efforts of various groups have caused confusion among volunteers and attendees. Despite challenges and skepticism, the Trump campaign remains committed to its unorthodox approach in key battleground states, aiming to secure a narrow victory against Vice President Kamala Harris.
