--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think all nonpresidential elections are…" description: "\"I think all nonpresidential elections are won or lost by motivating your own voters.\" — Kris Kobach" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/621/kris-kobach-12194_democracy_i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-ar_1170236.jpg" --- # I think all nonpresidential elections are won or lost by… ![“I think all nonpresidential elections are won or lost by motivating your own voters.” quote by Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/621/kris-kobach-12194_democracy_i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-ar_1170236.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/621/kris-kobach-12194_democracy_i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-ar_1170236.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/621/kris-kobach-12194_democracy_i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-ar_1170236.jpg) > “I think all nonpresidential elections are won or lost by motivating your own voters.” [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success in elections hinges on energizing your base rather than persuading opponents. **In simple terms:** Winning depends on motivating your own voters. Key Takeaway Focus on voter enthusiasm. Themes politics election strategy voter engagement Mood determined strategic Type motivational political When to use this quote - local elections - primary races - campaign rallies - door‑to‑door canvassing Key Concepts grassroots mobilization political psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you boost turnout among supporters? - What tactics best energize a base? A Different Perspective May overlook persu to win swing voters or undecided. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Elections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elections/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) ## Related quotes > [I will die. The person who succeeds me will also have to die. But elections, you won't have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusto-pinochet/i-will-die-the-person-who-succeeds-me-will-also-have-to-die-but/) [Augusto Pinochet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusto-pinochet/) > [The way elections are won in Minnesota is by talking to people and sharing what's on their minds. It sounds so simple, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-smith/the-way-elections-are-won-in-minnesota-is-by-talking-to-people-and/) [Tina Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-smith/) > [Issues are won based upon whether or not you can keep this economy strong; elections are won based upon economic issues and national security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/issues-are-won-based-upon-whether-or-not-you-can-keep-this-economy/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/elections-are-won-by-men-and-women-chiefly-because-most-people-vote-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody.” FRANKLIN P. ADAMS”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-werleman/elections-are-won-by-men-and-women-chiefly-because-most-people-vote/) [C.J. Werleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-werleman/) > [Elections won't change anything in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jair-bolsonaro/elections-won-t-change-anything-in-this-country/) [Jair Bolsonaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jair-bolsonaro/) > [If people think that local elections are won or lost on local education matters, that isn't happening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-morgan/if-people-think-that-local-elections-are-won-or-lost-on-local/) [Nicky Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-morgan/) > [These elections won't be about the manifesto of parties, but about manifesto of the people and their dreams who want peace and prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/these-elections-won-t-be-about-the-manifesto-of-parties-but-about/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [If you look back through history in the United States, there have been very few landslide elections. Half the country always voted for someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/if-you-look-back-through-history-in-the-united-states-there-have-been/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [Congress needs to toughen the laws protecting elections and make clear that anyone interfering with democracy will pay a stiff price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-cohen/congress-needs-to-toughen-the-laws-protecting-elections-and-make/) [Adam Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-cohen/) > [In India, elections happen every year in at least a few states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-sitharaman/in-india-elections-happen-every-year-in-at-least-a-few-states/) [Nirmala Sitharaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-sitharaman/) > [Midterms behave very differently than presidential elections. Midterms, for a federal candidate, often times are a referendum on the president, where in presidential years,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/midterms-behave-very-differently-than-presidential-elections-midterms/) [Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/) > [Elections are not a beauty contest. It is all about tolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-franz/elections-are-not-a-beauty-contest-it-is-all-about-tolerance/) Vladimir Franz > [“Patriotism is a fierce love for the nation’s soul - its land, its people, its core, coupled with a burning contempt for a government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/njau-kihia/patriotism-is-a-fierce-love-for-the-nation-s-soul-its-land-its-people/) Njau Kihia > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More by Kris Kobach > [If Republicans vote in big numbers, we win a statewide election. It's just that simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/if-republicans-vote-in-big-numbers-we-win-a-statewide-election-it-s/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [It's not rocket science. It's not super high technology to construct border barriers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/it-s-not-rocket-science-it-s-not-super-high-technology-to-construct/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [Drones don't stop people from coming across the border, they merely tell you that someone is coming across the border.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/drones-don-t-stop-people-from-coming-across-the-border-they-merely/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [Without question, Alabama's House Bill 56 is the most comprehensive anti-illegal-immigration state law ever drafted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/without-question-alabama-s-house-bill-56-is-the-most-comprehensive/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [No one doubts that Donald Trump is willing to walk away from a deal if it's a bad one. No one doubts that he's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/no-one-doubts-that-donald-trump-is-willing-to-walk-away-from-a-deal/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [A commission presenting evidence doesn't do a Jedi mind trick and make state legislators in some state suddenly pass a bill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/a-commission-presenting-evidence-doesn-t-do-a-jedi-mind-trick-and/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [Quite often the federal government purchases things at prices higher than individuals in the private marketplace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/quite-often-the-federal-government-purchases-things-at-prices-higher/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [Voter fraud happens on both sides of the aisle. And if nothing else, I'm glad Democrats are acknowledging that it exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/voter-fraud-happens-on-both-sides-of-the-aisle-and-if-nothing-else-i/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [Instead of turning loose these bogus asylum applicants onto the American streets never to be seen again, let's put them into mobile homes. Let's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/instead-of-turning-loose-these-bogus-asylum-applicants-onto-the/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [The numbers of terrorists that we have caught coming - we actually don't catch them coming across the border. We usually catch them in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/the-numbers-of-terrorists-that-we-have-caught-coming-we-actually-don/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [One of the things about New York City is obviously it's a very liberal place but there are plenty of conservatives that don't feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/one-of-the-things-about-new-york-city-is-obviously-it-s-a-very/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [We have the ability to shut down the flow of remittances to Mexico from illegal aliens working in the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/we-have-the-ability-to-shut-down-the-flow-of-remittances-to-mexico/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [Because, when it comes to restoring the rule of law, I can't change my mind and I won't change the subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/because-when-it-comes-to-restoring-the-rule-of-law-i-can-t-change-my/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [I have been very aggressively campaigning on Kansas needs to cut its taxes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/i-have-been-very-aggressively-campaigning-on-kansas-needs-to-cut-its/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) > [It's always enjoyable talking with someone who has a very well-functioning, reasoning mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/it-s-always-enjoyable-talking-with-someone-who-has-a-very-well/) [Kris Kobach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) [Explore all 56 Kris Kobach quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 11,220 Democracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think all nonpresidential elections are won or lost by motivating your own voters.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kris Kobach" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-are-won-or-lost-by-motivating/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Democracy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-are-won-or-lost-by-motivating/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/621/kris-kobach-12194_democracy_i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-ar_1170236.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/621/kris-kobach-12194_democracy_i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-ar_1170236.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/621/kris-kobach-12194_democracy_i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-ar_1170236.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think all nonpresidential elections are won or lost by motivating your own voters.” — Kris Kobach", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kris Kobach", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kobach/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think all nonpresidential elections are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-are-won-or-lost-by-motivating/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kobach/i-think-all-nonpresidential-elections-are-won-or-lost-by-motivating/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```