Voters in Wrong Boxes

Voters that do not sit snugly in traditional voting boxes like race, gender, labour, religion, middle class etc. are seldom included in campaign strategy.

Why? Messages. It’s easy to craft messages presidential candidates can drop in various boxes. It’s also about resources. Boxes determine how a politician running for office will allocate limited resources. Some candidates attract donors. Other candidates are like small pox that ravaged England in the 1800’s. Avoid them. Don’t give them a dime.

You know what? Maybe we should say the limited, not forgotten voter. Limited in the sense that campaign managers don’t know how to design messages to lure him into their camp. How about citizenship? He’s an American and that should count for something. If he’s eligible to vote in November 2024, there must be a message he can relate to. Remember, voters are multi-dimensional.

This preoccupation with voting boxes sometimes backfires. Messages are dropped in wrong boxes. Black voters for example. Except for black political analysts on T.V., social media posts that say 6 January 2021 is on the ballot, are in short supply. Instead, Trump’s disinformation campaign about black voters’ exodus to his bosom, is in full throttle. This implies they don’t care about how his supporters violated their country, debased it, made democracy a mockery. What is being peddled online gives the impression that black voters are empty vessels, that Trump will fill to capacity, with all his ‘virtues.’

“Democrats take black voters for granted. That’s why I’m going to vote for Trump.”

“Does this mean you support what he did on 6 January and also trying to steal Georgia’s election?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Sounds familiar? Reminds me of congressman Byron Donalds, the GOP gentleman from Florida. Campaign managers beware. Wrong messages in wrong voting boxes will cost you. Big time.

Nonqaba waka Msimang

Blogger Without Borders