In a concerning move reflecting the ascendancy of the extremist faction within the Republican Party, Donald Trump’s influence appears to have driven a significant shift in the strategy of the Republican National Committee (RNC) ahead of the upcoming elections. The RNC, under its newly appointed leadership team, has made the decision to abandon plans aimed at promoting early voting and instead prioritize legal challenges to voting systems in anticipation of November.
As part of a series of layoffs and budget cuts implemented by the new leadership, the RNC is discontinuing its program dedicated to mail-in voting, as reported by The Washington Post. This decision is particularly noteworthy given Trump’s persistent and baseless claims since 2020 that mail-in voting is susceptible to widespread voter fraud—a narrative he has perpetuated despite ample evidence to the contrary. Ironically, data suggests that mail-in voting does not exhibit a partisan bias, and if anything, it may even favor Republicans.
The termination of the “Bank Your Vote” program, previously championed by former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel, is indicative of the party’s shift in focus. This initiative, which aimed to encourage Republicans to vote early, will now be replaced by a “Grow The Vote” program, which seeks to expand outreach to potential voters who have historically been less inclined to support Trump.
However, the overhaul of the RNC’s strategy doesn’t stop there. In a move that further underscores the party’s embrace of Trump’s anti-democratic rhetoric, RNC Chief Operating Officer Chris LaCivita has appointed Christina Bobb—a former OAN reporter known for promoting baseless claims of election fraud—as senior counsel for election integrity. Bobb’s appointment aligns with the far-right agenda to prioritize legal challenges aimed at restricting ballot access and undermining election systems.
This approach, often referred to as “lawfare,” was championed by figures like right-wing lawyer Harmeet Dhillon, who argued for the need to mobilize a legal offensive ahead of the 2024 elections. By prioritizing legal attacks on voting rights, the Trump-branded RNC signals a troubling departure from fair and democratic electoral practices.
Lara Trump, the former president’s daughter-in-law and current RNC co-chair, has pledged significant resources to the party’s “election integrity division,” further highlighting the party’s commitment to this controversial strategy.
As Democrats remain vigilant against antidemocratic election tactics, the reorientation of the RNC under Trump’s influence underscores the importance of defending the integrity of the electoral process and safeguarding the fundamental right to vote.