Republicans need to stop fighting early voting. It's how we can win on Election Day.

Glenn Youngkin
Updated ·3 min read
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Elections are competitions, and the principles for victory are straightforward – which candidate has the most compelling vision, communicates that vision the best and builds trust to turn promises made into promises kept.

Yes, like any team sport in a tough game, the team that fields the best players, executes the better strategy and competes the hardest, wins.

In Virginia this fall, where every seat in the General Assembly is on the ballot, the stakes could not be more consequential for the future of our state. Republicans have an opportunity to cement our majority in the House, flip the Senate and take Virginia to the next level.

Following primaries, Republicans are fielding strong candidates who can win competitive races for the House and Senate. Our commonsense agenda includes delivering excellence in education that puts parents at the head of the table, public safety that supports our law enforcement heroes and punishes criminals, a strong economy that fosters job growth with lower taxes and fewer regulations, and transforming our behavioral health system to deliver the right help, right now for Virginians in need.

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Early voting is key to winning elections

One of the most important plays in Republicans' game plan in Virginia is not new or groundbreaking – it involves an aggressive absentee and early voting program. We turned out early voters in our 2021 win, and we’re doubling down in 2023. The rules are the rules. Let’s compete to win.

In Virginia, you do not need a reason or an excuse to vote early or by absentee ballot. Democrats put these rules in place while in control of Virginia’s government and have used these rules to their advantage by vastly outpacing Republicans in early and absentee voting.

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Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin

We can either continue complaining, or we can recognize reality, beat the left at their own game and win elections. I chose to win – to make Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family – which is why I launched Secure Your Vote Virginia.

Educating public about early voting options is important

Secure Your Vote Virginia modernizes the way we turn out our voters through absentee and early voting. The portal − secureyourvotevirginia.com − provides step-by-step instructions for requesting an absentee ballot or voting early by mail or in person. This campaign educates voters on the options available to cast their ballot early and to ensure their voice will be heard in November.

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We cannot afford to go into Election Day down thousands of votes – that will all but guarantee a loss. Losing is not an option when the future of the state is on the line.

Simply put, I want Virginia to be the best and to secure a pathway to prosperity for the people of our state. But that will not be possible without commonsense allies in Virginia’s General Assembly – leaders who will put the needs of Virginia’s families first in their work as policymakers. I am confident the vast majority of Virginians want the same from their elected officials.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin writes that Republicans cannot afford to go into Election Day down thousands of votes — that will all but guarantee a loss.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin writes that Republicans cannot afford to go into Election Day down thousands of votes — that will all but guarantee a loss.

We must use every tool at our disposal to win. That’s what we did in Virginia in 2021. It's also what many governors, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, did in 2022. We can beat the far left by turning out our voters and winning elections. Secure Your Vote Virginia is our answer to competing and winning in Virginia.

We have an unprecedented opportunity in 2023 to prove, once again, that Virginia can be a beacon of success, overcoming the deep challenges faced by our country mired in the Biden administration’s failed policies. Let’s get to work.

Glenn Youngkin is the governor of Virginia.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: GOP must embrace voting early to win. Ga., Va. elections show how