“A poster doesn’t vote! »: the efforts of both camps to snatch victory | US elections 2024

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris’ planes were parked on the same tarmac on Saturday. The two rivals were campaigning in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. A coincidence which illustrates the importance of this State at the end of the race.

North Carolina is the only crucial state won by Donald Trump in 2020. A victory obtained with barely more than 1% of the vote. This year, the Republican can ill afford to lose it.

Democrats sense opportunity in this state with its dynamic economy and growing population. But there is no question of counting solely on the support of voters in large cities, like Charlotte or Raleigh.

Kamala Harris’s troops are banking heavily on rural regions and smaller towns, sectors of the state usually won by Republicans. Sectors where you sometimes have to convince voters, one at a time.

Linda Bennett is one of the women who is giving a lot of her time to the Democratic camp these days. She works in Johnston County, a traditionally red corner southeast of the capital, Raleigh.

Counter apathy

Here, Democrats aren’t aiming to win the county.

What you have to do is contribute to the total votes at the state level, explains the activist. It is this total that will determine who obtains the votes of the electors of North Carolina.

This means spotting Democrats in a Republican sea, motivating African-Americans in more isolated sectors, who may feel little interest in Washington and the federal government.

Linda Bennett stops at a park Smithfielda town once known as the Klan country or Klu Klux Klan territory. Some African-American groups offer hot dogs in the park of a disadvantaged area.

It’s their version of a tradition that dates back to the civil rights struggles of the 1960s: coming together, marching together to the polls. A group vote, a walk to encourage each other.

Few voters showed up on Saturday, the last day of advance voting, which a little exasperated city councilor Marlon Lee.

I keep telling them that if they don’t vote, they can’t complain.

The Democratic advisor recognizes it: apathy constitutes quite an obstacle in this corner of the country. For this region, Linda Bennett tries to get around the problem by almost not talking about Kamala Harris and the historic potential of her election.

To older people, she talks more about social assistance or medical assistance. For single mothers, health programs that could disappear.

The rest [des promesses] is a lot less concrete. You probably won’t see it in your daily life.

Find those who vote little

This year, Republicans have also implemented strategies different from their traditional tactics. The party still relies on its volunteers, but it also relies on external groups, including the one financed by the ultra-rich Elon Musk.

In Johnston County, for example, the Republican Party invests few resources in roadside signs. Money is used for other purposes.

A poster is good for those who want to show their support. But a poster doesn’t vote!says Marshall Conrad, party leader in the sector.

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Its interest is mainly for Americans who have affinities with Donald Trump, but who do not vote regularly. They may have only voted once or twice since 2004.

It is difficult to know whether these people will vote.

You need to get in touch with them in any way you can. In person, on the phone, by mail, on the Internet or on Facebook. We have to continually remind them to go vote.

Marshall Conrad is less concerned about Donald Trump’s most avid supporters. He believes that they will vote on their own, if they have not already done so. Because this year, the Republicans are also encouraging early voting… which they did not do before.

Many Republicans voted in advance this time. This frees up valuable resources, explains Marshall Conrad. This allows us to focus on those who really need my help to vote.

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The other major part of Republican tactics is to ensure electoral integrity. In other words, let there be no cheating in the ballot.

A part of the Republican electorate still clings to the idea (proven false) that massive fraud in 2020 allowed the election of Joe Biden.

This year, thousands of Republicans will watch the vote unfold across the country, paying particular attention to states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona and Georgia, which have been the subject of much attention. Pay attention to the last elections, without any significant fraud having been established. A veritable army of lawyers is ready to intervene quickly. In case.

In North Carolina, Marshall Conrad is not worried about the electoral process, but will still supervise the Republican procedure there. During advance voting, it saw nothing intentional, but errors human, reported and quickly corrected by election officials.

Tensions foreshadowing what comes next?

Democrat Linda Bennett also wants to ensure that everything runs smoothly in the polling stations. That there are no irregularities to report. This afternoon, she visits a few advance polling stations spread across the vast county.

On her way, she comes across many posters Trump/Vance on the grounds. But very few Harris/Walz.

There were many more in 2020she points out.

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The volunteer stops in the parking lot of a small shopping center in Clayton, a town of 25,000 residents. Around twenty voters line up to vote.

To take your place, you must first make your way between the numerous activists who have come to offer voter’s guidesa leaflet which lists all the candidates of a party with numerous vacancies.

Here, Republican activists outnumber Democrats. A group that calls itself apolitical distributes donuts and pizza to voters. We want to create a more friendly atmospheresaid one of the volunteers. Everything is so tense about this election.

During our visit, everything went smoothly, but a certain apprehension was in the air. Democratic and Republican activists do not speak to each other. The atmosphere is rather tense and icy.

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At the end of the day, Linda Bennett returns to the small room occupied by the Democratic Party during the election. Several retirees are busy and motivated there. They also exchange news from other polling stations. Tensions and clashes with the Republicans.

Linda Bennett will monitor the smooth running of the vote on Tuesday. After a long day at a polling station, she will go to bed without waiting for the results.

I will be burned. I’ll see the next dayshe says, almost certain that the results will be long in coming anyway.