Republished with full copyright permissions from The San Francisco Press.

In American politics, tradition and conventional tactics have always held sway. However, a recent move by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to offer $20 gift cards to individuals who donate $1 to his presidential campaign has sparked a thought-provoking discussion. It raises the question: Are there alternative approaches to political campaigns that challenge traditional norms while remaining ethical?

Political parties invest billions of dollars into presidential election cycles, spending vast amounts on polling, advertisements, rallies, and voter turnout initiatives. In a world where innovation is celebrated across industries, why haven’t political campaigns followed suit? Governor Burgum’s endeavor, though seemingly controversial, opens up a larger conversation about potential alternatives to traditional campaign strategies.

One idea that echoes Burgum’s boldness involves supporting third-party candidates who may divert votes from opponents, ultimately ensuring a preferred candidate’s victory. History offers examples, such as Ralph Nader’s impact on Al Gore’s chances in Florida in 2000 and Jill Stein’s potential influence on the outcome in Pennsylvania in 2016. Rather than perceiving such instances as obstacles, we could view them as opportunities to transform the dynamics of elections.

As the hypothetical scenario unfolds, it becomes evident that both parties can employ this approach. For instance, Democrats could entice notable Republicans like Ron DeSantis or Chris Christie to run as third-party candidates, providing substantial financial support for their campaigns. This approach, instead of inundating the airwaves with ads, presents a potentially more effective method of preventing a particular candidate’s success.

In another unconventional idea, parties could incentivize their own voters to permanently relocate to key swing states. For example, offering financial incentives to committed Democrats in solidly blue states like New York or California to move to swing states such as Arizona or Georgia. By tilting the balance in these challenging battlegrounds, parties could purchase election victories and potentially influence outcomes for several election cycles.

While initially raising eyebrows, these alternative strategies have the potential to reshape the political landscape. Instead of limited election cycles and singular campaign efforts, forward-thinking approaches align long-term campaign goals with fundraising efforts. This not only encourages contributors but highlights the significance of investing in multiple elections rather than focusing on just the immediate future.