Pennsylvania Democrats not nearly as ‘robust’ early voters as GOP: Salena Zito – Washington Examiner

Jenny GoldsberryNovember 5, 2024

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In‍ a recent commentary, Salena Zito, a senior columnist for the *Washington Examiner*, highlighted the early voting trends in Pennsylvania, noting that Republican voters have outpaced Democratic voters‍ in mail-in ballot requests this election‍ cycle. With more than 990,000 Democratic registered ‌voters ⁢requesting‍ mail-in ballots compared‌ to about 587,000 Republican voters, the ⁣expectations for ‍Democratic turnout were not met. Zito pointed out that while historically Democrats have relied on mail-in voting, a⁢ shift appears ‌to be occurring, particularly in rural areas where more⁣ Republicans are participating in mail-in voting. She observed a diverse coalition at a ⁤recent Trump rally⁢ in Pittsburgh, suggesting changes in ⁢voter⁤ demographics and affiliations that may impact the election.

Pennsylvania Democrats not nearly as ‘robust’ early voters as GOP: Salena Zito

Washington Examiner senior columnist Salena Zito said Democratic voters in Pennsylvania were bested by Republican voters in terms of casting their ballots early.

As Pennsylvania voters lined up at polling places Tuesday, the number of absentee and mail-in voters was already reported, and expectations were broken. While over 990,000 Democratic registered voters requested mail-in ballots, another 587,000 Republican registered voters did the same. This was an increase of 100,000 from 2020.

“The Democrats do not have the robust mail-in ballot turnout that they expected. Republicans, in particular, in rural areas are turning out robustly in the mail-in ballots,” Zito said Tuesday on Fox and Friends. “And a lot of those mail-in ballots in rural areas are Democrat, but these are heirloom or legacy Democrats who have been Democrats all their lives; however, that has changed because the coalitions have changed. You saw the example last night in Pittsburgh at Trump’s rally, and seeing a very diverse coalition, a ton of young people, men and women, but also the audience was very diverse.”

“Democrats have a problem with their turnout on Election Day in Philadelphia. They have had that problem since 2004,” she added.

Pennsylvania has largely voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in past years, including 2020, but flipped for former President Donald Trump during his 2016 bid. The state has 19 electoral votes, which can give a candidate their Electoral College lead. Both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris spent some of their final hours on the eve of Election Day in Pennsylvania to rally voters.

The state reported 14 counties have received challenges seeking to invalidate mail-in ballots, citing evidence showing voters moved overseas or had submitted a change of address request with the U.S. Postal Service. However, neither is reason enough to make a voter ineligible.

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