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Panic sets in as early voting numbers ‘scary’ for Harris, warns former Obama campaign manager

Jim Messina said that the biggest concern for the Harris campaign ahead of Tuesday's showdown is the early voting numbers.

Published on: Nov 4, 2024, 19:05:34 IST
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With less than 24 hours until Election Day, panic has set in among Democrats as early voting numbers prove to be “scary” for Kamala Harris, according to Barack Obama’s former campaign manager. In a Sunday interview with MSNBC, Jim Messina said data shows Republicans are making significant gains with early voting in battleground states compared to the 2020 election.

FILE PHOTO: The Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and the Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, take part in a presidential debate hosted by ABC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., September 10, 2024 in a combination of file photographs. REUTERS/File Photo (REUTERS)
FILE PHOTO: The Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and the Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, take part in a presidential debate hosted by ABC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., September 10, 2024 in a combination of file photographs. REUTERS/File Photo (REUTERS)

Early voting numbers ‘scary’ for Kamala Harris

During his Inside with Jen Psaki appearance, Messina said that the biggest concern for the Harris campaign ahead of Tuesday's showdown is the early voting numbers. “The early vote numbers are a little scary,” he said before explaining that the Republicans are voting differently this time as opposed to the last time Donald Trump ran for the White House.

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“Republicans didn't do what they did last time,” Messina noted. “Last time, Trump said don't early vote, so they didn't. Republicans do have an advantage in early vote numbers. When the early votes come in, it's going to look a little bit different than 2020, and that's scary,” he continued, adding that the numbers have caused “my friends to call me panicking.” While early voting has traditionally been favoured by the Democratic party, Republicans, too, have pushed voters to cast their ballots early this time.

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Despite the fears surrounding the early voting numbers favouring the Republican candidate, Messina shared that Democrats are content with the early voter turnout in two key demographics that Harris is eyeing—women and young voters. “Women voters make up 55% of the early voters and in the past 10 days, young voters in these battleground states are coming out in what looks to be, for early votes, historic numbers,” he said.

  • Arya Vaishnavi
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Arya Vaishnavi

    Arya Vaishnavi is a journalist at Hindustan Times. She covers a wide array of topics, from world news to the entertainment industry and everything in between. In addition to news articles, she creates captivating photo galleries. Having covered both US and Indian elections, she is an experienced political news writer. Outside of work, you are most likely to find her meditating, lifting weights, or reading books.Read More

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