Overview
#VoteThemOut became a rallying cry for voter mobilization, particularly targeting incumbents over specific policies or conduct. The hashtag surged during the 2018 midterms (targeting Trump-era Republicans), 2020 election (Trump himself), and repeatedly during contentious Supreme Court nominations and legislative battles.
2018 Midterms: Anti-Trump Wave
#VoteThemOut gained traction in summer 2018 as Trump’s approval ratings cratered and controversies mounted (family separation, Charlottesville, Mueller investigation). Activists mobilized to flip the House, portraying the midterms as a referendum on Trump.
Key moments:
- Brett Kavanaugh hearings (September 2018): After Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony, protesters chanted “Vote them out!” at Republican Senators in Capitol elevators and hallways. The phrase went viral.
- Record turnout: The 2018 midterms saw the highest turnout for a midterm in over 100 years. Democrats flipped 41 House seats, regaining the majority.
2020 Election: “Vote Him Out”
At Trump rallies and Biden campaign events, crowds chanted “Vote him out!” referring to Trump. The phrase epitomized Democrats’ strategy: make the election a referendum on Trump’s presidency. Biden won with 81 million votes, the most in U.S. history.
2022 Midterms: Post-Roe Mobilization
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, #VoteThemOut targeted anti-abortion lawmakers. Democrats overperformed expectations, retaining the Senate and losing only nine House seats (historically modest losses). Abortion access drove youth and women voters.
Tactics & Strategies
Voter registration drives: Groups like HeadCount, When We All Vote, and Rock the Vote mobilized millions of young and first-time voters.
Messaging campaigns: Social media influencers, celebrities, and activists amplified #VoteThemOut, emphasizing specific issues (climate, gun violence, healthcare, abortion).
Micro-targeting: Campaigns identified swing districts, mobilizing volunteers for door-knocking, phone banking, and text campaigns.
Criticism & Backlash
Both sides use it: Republicans adopted #VoteThemOut against Democrats, particularly targeting progressives (“Squad” members) and Biden-era incumbents over inflation and crime.
Polarization concerns: Critics argued “Vote them out” rhetoric fuels tribalism, treating politics as war rather than governance. Defenders said accountability requires removing bad actors.
Turnout inequality: Despite mobilization efforts, voter suppression laws (ID requirements, purged rolls, limited early voting) disproportionately affected marginalized voters, undermining “Vote them out” campaigns.
Youth Mobilization
Gen Z became a political force, with TikTok and Instagram driving voter registration. Young voters favored Democrats by wide margins in 2018, 2020, and 2022, citing climate change, gun violence, student debt, and abortion as top issues.