Republicans are making a significant push to mobilize the Amish vote in Pennsylvania, a battleground state where the outcome could decide the 2024 election. Donald Trump’s campaign sees the traditionally conservative Amish community as an untapped resource that could swing the state in their favor.

Although the Amish typically avoid political participation, when they do vote, they register overwhelmingly as Republicans. Conservative activist Scott Presler has been leading an aggressive effort to engage Amish voters this election cycle. “The Amish, if they are mobilized, could literally save Western civilization,” Presler told attendees at a political conference, emphasizing the potential impact of this group.

One of the key strategies Presler is using to engage the Amish is promoting mail-in voting. Amish voters, who often face cultural stigma when participating in mainstream politics, are reportedly receptive to the privacy and convenience of mail-in ballots. “They love the idea of mail-in ballots,” Presler said, noting that this approach could be instrumental in increasing Amish voter turnout for Trump.

The Amish are also being drawn into the political conversation over government overreach, particularly in relation to farming. Earlier this year, an Amish farm in Lancaster County was raided for selling raw milk products without proper permits. The incident drew attention from conservative figures, including Donald Trump Jr., who framed it as an attack on traditional values.

With Pennsylvania home to 87,000 Amish, the GOP sees a real opportunity. In 2020, only 3,000 of the 15,000 eligible Amish voters in Lancaster County turned out to vote, but Presler’s team, through his Early Vote Action PAC, hopes to change that. He and his team have committed 40 days to registering voters in the state.

The GOP’s efforts in Pennsylvania are already showing results. Luzerne County, once a Democratic stronghold, now has a slim Republican lead in voter registration, a sign that these grassroots efforts may be paying off.