As early voting begins in the crucial battleground state of Arizona, a surprising trend is emerging: Kamala Harris appears to have little support among early voters in Mojave County. MSNBC field reporters, covering the kickoff of early voting, revealed a stunning finding — not a single voter they interviewed voiced support for Harris.
Arizona, which has consistently been a state to watch in national elections, opened its polls for early voting both by mail and in person this past week. Voters have already started casting ballots in significant numbers, a development that political analysts attribute in part to a new message from former President Donald Trump. Trump, who had previously criticized mail-in voting, has pivoted in his strategy and is now urging his supporters to take full advantage of early and absentee voting.
Trump’s call to action for Arizona voters came through a post on Truth Social, his favored social media platform. “THANK YOU, ARIZONA!” Trump wrote. “Early voting by mail and in-person opened in Arizona earlier this week—so if you have a ballot, return it immediately, and if not, GO VOTE the minute the polls open tomorrow, and get everyone you know to cast their ballots for Trump and Republicans at every level!”
Trump’s post, aimed at motivating his base to turn out early, emphasized the importance of winning Arizona to secure a Republican victory in the upcoming election. “With your help, 23 days from now, we are going to WIN Arizona, we are going to defeat Kamala Harris, and we are going to usher in a new Golden Age of American Success for citizens of every race, religion, color, and creed!” Trump added in his message.
This new emphasis on early voting seems to be resonating with Trump supporters, particularly in areas like Mojave County, where enthusiasm for the former president remains high. Despite his previous reluctance to endorse mail-in voting, Trump’s endorsement of early voting has spurred many of his supporters to get to the polls early.
An MSNBC reporter stationed in Mojave County during the first few days of early voting noted a strong turnout from Trump supporters. “We did not find a single person who audibly would tell us that they voted for Kamala Harris,” the reporter shared. “These were Trump supporters getting out to vote early in the all-important Mojave County.”
Mojave County, a deeply conservative region, has long been a stronghold for Republican candidates, but the complete absence of support for Kamala Harris among early voters highlights the uphill battle her campaign may face in such areas. This stark contrast in voter enthusiasm is not isolated to Mojave County, as polling data from across the state suggests that Trump is currently leading Harris in Arizona, making it a key state in the race.
Early voters interviewed by MSNBC in Mojave County gave various reasons for their decision to vote early. For some, it was their first time voting ahead of Election Day, a shift motivated by Trump’s direct appeal. One voter, a lifelong Republican, expressed their reasoning simply: “Honestly, because Donald Trump told me to.”
Another voter, who admitted to not casting a ballot in the 2020 election, was inspired to vote this time around due to concerns about the country’s direction under the current administration. “I sat out the last election,” they said, “but this year, I felt like I had to get out and vote early. The country can’t keep going the way it’s going.”
The surge in early voting turnout is also being noted in other parts of the state, where Republican voters seem to be answering Trump’s call to action in large numbers. Maricopa County, the state’s largest county and a critical one in determining Arizona’s electoral outcome, has also seen high early voting activity. Arizona Central reports that polling data shows Trump with an edge over Harris, further indicating the strength of his base in the state.
However, early voting doesn’t just reflect enthusiasm among Republican voters. Political analysts point out that early voting data can be complex and that turnout trends can shift in the days leading up to Election Day. The Harris campaign, which is heavily focused on appealing to young voters and minority communities, may see a surge in support as these groups tend to vote later in the early voting period or on Election Day itself.
Nonetheless, the initial signs from Mojave County are concerning for Harris’s campaign. Arizona is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested states in the election, with both parties making significant efforts to win over its voters. The lack of visible support for Harris among early voters in key conservative regions like Mojave County highlights the challenges her campaign faces in energizing voters in such areas.
As early voting continues and Election Day approaches, all eyes will be on Arizona to see whether the trends observed in these early days hold or whether Harris can close the gap and gain the support she needs to secure victory in the Grand Canyon State.
WATCH:
Arizona voters at the polls just shocked MSNBC when not a single one said they were voting for Kamala. They were all for Trump 🔥
"We did NOT find a single person who would audibly tell us they voted for Kamala Harris."
"We met three other voters, one that moved from… pic.twitter.com/6JsBwdKdjq
— George (@BehizyTweets) October 16, 2024
