The Trump campaign is facing significant challenges in executing its ground game operation in rural battleground states due to internet issues affecting their canvassing app, Campaign Sidekick. This app, used to track canvassers and ensure they are reaching target voters, requires high-speed internet for proper functionality, a necessity that is often unavailable in the rural areas being targeted. These so-called “low-propensity Trump voters” are central to Trump’s strategy, as the campaign believes that mobilizing individuals who typically don’t vote but support Trump could sway a close election.

However, the slow internet speeds in these areas force canvassers to rely on the app’s offline features, which present multiple problems. Without the necessary 40mbps internet speed (typically required to stream 4K video), the canvassers have to use offline walkbooks. These walkbooks lack geo-tracking, meaning the campaign cannot verify if canvassers are completing their assigned routes, or whether they are engaging in dishonest practices like “speed-running” routes, where canvassers simply toss campaign material at doors without knocking.

To deter cheating, America Pac, a group heavily involved in the Trump campaign’s ground game, has sent teams of auditors to follow canvassers. Yet, they cannot audit every offline walkbook, and the number of offline routes is particularly high due to the campaign’s focus on rural voters. Even when canvassers complete routes legitimately, there are sometimes issues with the app failing to upload their data once they return online, meaning canvassers may have to redo their work, frustrating both them and voters who may feel harassed by multiple visits.

One political operative joked that Elon Musk, who backs America Pac, might consider providing Starlink satellite internet to canvassers, given the challenges posed by slow internet in these areas.

The Trump campaign has been fielding complaints about the Campaign Sidekick app for some time, and at least two other super PACs working on behalf of Trump’s ground game have abandoned the app for their own operations. Among the grievances are the app’s tendency to crash during peak usage times, as well as tech glitches like the Google Maps preview feature, which helps canvassers navigate their routes, often breaking down.

Campaign Sidekick has defended itself against these criticisms, stating that it has been transparent with clients about the limitations of offline walkbooks and suggesting they monitor factors that could indicate fraudulent behavior, such as canvassers claiming they spoke to voters at more than 25% of the doors they visited.

Despite the issues, some groups working with Trump’s campaign have expressed satisfaction with Campaign Sidekick. For example, the September Group LLC, a major canvassing vendor that worked with America Pac in Arizona and Nevada, noted that they were content with the app’s performance, even though they avoided using the offline features due to its shortcomings.

Chris LaCivita, Trump’s co-campaign chief

Chris LaCivita, dismissed the concerns as part of a “hit job” by a “failed vendor,” claiming the campaign’s canvassing apps were functioning well and that they had invested in new, unmatched technology to supplement their efforts. However, LaCivita’s statement didn’t directly address the widespread issues raised by their ground game partners or explain why the campaign has been aware of these problems for some time without addressing them fully.

The dissatisfaction with Campaign Sidekick isn’t limited to Trump’s camp. Turning Point Action, led by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, informed Trump’s campaign that they encountered so many difficulties with the app that they opted to use their own software in Arizona, Wisconsin, and parts of Michigan. Their primary frustration was the app’s manual process, which made it difficult to reassign unfinished door-knocking routes to other canvassers, leading to some voters being missed entirely.

It remains unclear why the Trump campaign has continued using Campaign Sidekick despite its problems. Part of the decision appears to be tied to continuity, as the Trump campaign took control of the RNC in March and directed America Pac to use the app, which the Trump team was already utilizing. This strategy was aimed at streamlining data analysis by using a single system.

However, there are also political factors at play. The campaign opted not to use the i360 Walk platform, partly due to distrust of its owners, the Koch brothers, who have previously opposed Trump. Another option, Advantage Inc., was rejected in part because it was associated with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump’s primary challenger during the Republican primaries. Numinar, a platform currently used by America First Works, another Trump-aligned PAC, was also considered as an alternative to Campaign Sidekick but failed to gain traction with the RNC for unclear reasons.

the Trump campaign’s effort to mobilize rural voters is being hampered by technical challenges with its canvassing software, specifically in areas with poor internet connectivity. Despite the issues, the campaign has stuck with the app for reasons ranging from continuity to political considerations. As the election approaches, these technological difficulties could impact Trump’s ability to reach key voters in battleground states.