Republicans have spent the last few years underperforming in elections and then complaining about it afterward. Critics warn if the GOP wants to end that cycle in the all-important 2024 elections, it will take more than carrying on about voter fraud and rigged elections. It will take substantive action and a change in the party's approach to elections. "We're playing by the old rules, while the other team has adjusted," says Steve Munisteri, former Texas GOP Chairman. "And we need to adjust, or we're not gonna do well."
The other team---Democrats---have indeed mastered the art of "electioneering" i.e. ballot harvesting, voter mobilization, mail-in balloting. As a result, Democrats often have a huge or insurmountable lead built up before the polls even open on Election Day. "We've been way too focused on Election Day voting," says Munisteri. "And when you do that, you narrow the window of time you have to turn out your voters to a single day, and that just gives the other side a tremendous advantage."
Another part of the Dems' electioneering was changing election laws and procedures, often outside the law. That's why restoring voter integrity is a necessary step, as states like Texas have done with legislation. But not every state has the same laws, and Republicans must compete with Democrats on things like early voting, mail-in ballots and legal ballot harvesting. "We need to look at elections not as an election day, but as an election period, and really focus on the first day that you can send in ballots," says Munisteri. "Hopefully in this election cycle, the Republican party will refocus on trying to make sure we pay as much attention to those that can vote early, as those that wish to vote on Election Day."
"You have to pay a lot of attention to vote-by-mail, especially for seniors, a lot of attention to early voting, as well as still turning out people on Election Day," he continues. "You have to do all three."