Republicans are focusing their efforts on mobilizing Amish voters in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state in the 2024 election. With both President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris targeting the state, conservative activist Scott Presler is spearheading efforts to engage the typically apolitical Amish community.
Presler sees the Amish as a conservative voting bloc with untapped potential, stating, “The Amish, if they are mobilized, could literally save Western civilization.” His strategy involves emphasizing the ease of mail-in voting, which has resonated well with the Amish. “When I tell them they can vote from home without facing the stigma of going to the polls, they love the idea of mail-in ballots,” he added.
Presler’s efforts are part of a larger Republican strategy to appeal to rural and religious voters in Pennsylvania. The state is home to approximately 87,000 Amish, primarily in Lancaster County. In the 2020 election, Amish voter turnout tripled to about 3,000, a significant increase from previous elections.
The GOP is also highlighting issues like government overreach that resonate with the Amish. Earlier this year, an Amish farmer in Lancaster County had his farm raided for selling raw milk products without the necessary permits, a case that caught the attention of Donald Trump Jr. and RFK Jr., both of whom have voiced support for the farmer.
With Pennsylvania voter registration numbers tightening, the Republican focus on Amish voters could prove decisive. Presler’s PAC, Early Vote Action, has already made strides in the state, flipping Luzerne County to a Republican majority. With the election looming, mobilizing the Amish could make a difference in this pivotal state.
