This year, the effect of early voting in the United States is under the microscope. Passionate opinions and a seemingly long-since decided electorate are driving Record turnouts in virtually every state. It’s estimated that nearly 35 million early votes have already been cast. A total of 37 million early votes were cast in 2016, thus, this year that number is certain to be surpassed.
Forecasts suggest that in the course of this election cycle, nearly 150 million Americans will be voting. That number crushes the paltry 138 million total votes that were recorded in 2016. It is predicted that this will be the highest voter turnout in over a century.
But will early voting decide who wins the election this year? At this point, nearly 35 million votes have been cast through early voting. However, Election Day will see many more tens of millions of votes pour in. Mail in voting will also lead to counting several million ballots for possibly many weeks after Election Day.
Still, it’s hard to argue against early voting having much more influence on this election than any before it. This is why marketing and branding will work to a winning candidate’s advantage much more this year.
Record Early Voting Reported
But strong opinions alone are not the only driving factor behind 2020’s surge of early voting. The COVID-19 pandemic is still ravaging the world. 8 million infections and 220,000 deaths have been recorded in America so far this year. So there’s far more motivation for early voting and mail in voting than ever by every US citizen. It is particularly essential for senior citizens and for those that are currently sick or at risk.
Many states have expanded access to voters in response to the pandemic, including the option to mail in votes. While most states that are expanding access are Democrat-led, this doesn’t mean it will be a landslide for former vice President Joe Biden.
Republicans – led by incumbent President Donald Trump – are still counting on their voters showing up in huge numbers on Election Day. That has historically been the case when Republicans have won the largest majorities in history. A surge in voter turnout was seen as recently as 2018 as well. However, that managed to help the Democrats in the House, and the Republicans in the Senate.
As with that election, this time, nothing is certain. Since many more people will be voting before Election Day, there is less chance for them to change their minds. This is why a clear message – delivered to a core base by an experienced and message-focused voiceover – is needed more than ever. Most voters may have already made up their minds regarding national candidates, but many down ballot races are likely still in play.
But even those candidates don’t have the luxury to wait until the final days before the election. A clear message delivered by an expert campaign voice actor can play a major role in a candidate’s commercials ability to convincing voters. Since most people are limiting their outside social contact, a voiceover message has a better chance of connecting one-on-one with a voter than ever before.
If the 2016 US Presidential Election taught us anything, it was to expect the unexpected. Candidates shouldn’t expect their seats to be safe or that their voters are to be guaranteed. In as much as ‘every vote counts’, it should also be regarded that ‘every second counts’ as we draw closer to November 3rd.
