By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On Monday, former President Trump issued a Truth Social post filled with false claims about mail-in voting and announced plans for an illegal executive order to end it. This move, explicitly linked to the midterm elections, reveals an intent to utilize presidential power to manipulate the outcomes. This announcement follows a scheme to gerrymander in Texas. Election subversion analyst David Daley discusses Trump’s strategies for helping the GOP and analyzes the potential for success while outlining necessary Democratic responses.
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It appears we’re circling a truth that’s been hiding in plain sight: Trump’s apparent strategy for the midterms is about more than just winning. It’s about manipulating the very fabric of the election process. While the headline might suggest an accidental revelation, the reality is more chilling. The GOP’s intentions, often carried out through Trump’s pronouncements, have been laid bare, time and time again. He’s practically shouting his plans from the rooftops, yet consequences seem to be perpetually out of reach.
The strategies are diverse and multi-pronged, encompassing everything from dismantling established voting methods to exploiting the existing political landscape. One prominent tactic is the attack on mail-in voting, a move that might seem counterintuitive at first glance. After all, Republicans also utilize mail-in voting. But the aim isn’t necessarily to stop *all* voting; it’s about disrupting the process itself, creating doubt and confusion, and potentially disenfranchising voters. Gerrymandering, though often viewed as a legal practice, is criticized for its unethical implications, as it can severely distort the fairness of elections by diluting the votes of the minority party, edging closer to an authoritarian rule. It’s not a government of the people, but of a single party.
This isn’t about a single slip of the tongue; it’s a consistent pattern of behavior. We’ve seen it before, with Bush and Karl Rove openly discussing their goal of “ONE PARTY RULE”. The aim isn’t simply to win elections; it’s to solidify a hold on power, regardless of the will of the people. And those who attempt to oppose, are targeted. The playbook involves undermining democratic institutions, suppressing votes, and creating a climate of distrust in the electoral system.
The potential consequences of these actions are dire. The erosion of democratic norms, the rise of authoritarian tendencies, and the potential for political violence are all very real threats. We’ve seen them before, with the events of January 6th, which was just a continuation of the plan. The attacks on election integrity and the suppression of voters don’t require bombs or guns to inflict damage; the assault is insidious and systemic. This is the plan laid out in Project 2025, an effort to “destroy every democratic organization, democracy and democracy supporting people”.
One could argue that Trump is able to execute his plan because of the significant number of useful idiots, who vote for him. We see a situation where opposition to Trump should be enough to save us from gerrymandering, but, unfortunately, it is not. It’s easy to fall into a state of cynicism and apathy, thinking that our votes don’t matter, or that the system is irrevocably rigged. But that apathy is precisely what fuels the problem. If the system is perfect when Trump wins and corrupt when Trump loses, what is the conclusion? It’s an uphill battle, but it’s a battle worth fighting.
The Democrats need to be actively preparing a counteroffensive to protect the fairness of the elections. It’s not enough to play defense; a proactive strategy is crucial. This includes fighting against voter suppression tactics, challenging gerrymandering, and working to ensure every eligible voter can cast their ballot and that every vote is counted. We must have election monitors in every district. This is where it can come into play, in the hands of those who believe that democracy is worth fighting for.