Swing Vote (2008)

In Swing Vote (2008), Ernest “Bud” Johnson, a heavy-drinking slacker, resides in a trailer in Texico, New Mexico, after his wife Larissa abandoned him and their young daughter, Molly, to chase a failed singing career. While Bud shows little interest in politics and often arrives late to work, Molly is passionate about civic engagement and has registered him as an independent voter, encouraging him to participate in the presidential election.

Although Bud hesitantly agrees to vote, he loses his job and instead spends the day drinking at a bar, ultimately forgetting his commitment to Molly. When he sees her being interviewed about the election by journalist Kate Madison, he recalls his promise and tries to head to the polling station, but he passes out in his truck before he can make it.

Frustrated by her father’s inaction, Molly decides to cast a vote for him in secret. However, when the voting machine malfunctions and traps the ballot, she takes the stub and leaves to avoid detection, driving Bud back home. During the ride, she expresses her desire to live with Larissa, but Bud is unable to respond meaningfully.

The election remains undecided between the incumbent Republican Andrew Carington Boone and Democrat Donald Greenleaf, as both candidates are tied in popular and electoral votes. The outcome hinges on New Mexico’s five electoral votes, but a critical issue arises because Bud’s vote was improperly cast, preventing a clear decision. With the election’s significance and a prior recount, Bud is given a limited timeframe of ten days to cast a valid vote, which could break the tie in the popular vote.

In an effort to sway Bud, Greenleaf’s campaign manager, Art Crumb, instructs his team to gather insights into Bud’s preferences, while Boone’s manager, Martin Fox, arranges for Bud and Molly to meet President Boone aboard Air Force One. After this meeting, Bud encounters an advertisement from Willie Nelson, a friend of Greenleaf, inviting him to a party tailored to his interests, which includes a performance by an old bandmate. Meanwhile, Molly is disillusioned by the candidates’ manipulative tactics, and Kate is pushed by her boss, John Sweeney, to secure an exclusive interview with Bud. This interview leads to a misrepresentation of Bud’s views by the media, prompting the candidates to alter their positions.

Greenleaf’s compromise of his principles to gain votes results in personal fallout, including his wife’s departure, while Crumb remains indifferent to the situation. Despite their initial strategies, both candidates gradually shift away from the cynical approaches dictated by their advisers. Boone chooses not to follow Fox’s suggestion of offering Bud a lobbying position as a bribe, and Greenleaf ultimately reconciles with his wife.

Bud’s oversight of “Bring Your Dad to Work Day” only deepens Molly’s feelings of alienation, prompting her to seek refuge at Larissa’s house with a friend’s help. Unfortunately, Larissa’s struggle with prescription drug addiction leads her to lash out at Molly upon her arrival. Realizing the situation, Bud comes to Molly’s aid, and in a moment of connection, she refers to him as “dad” for the first time. He then takes her home, navigating through a swarm of journalists.

This incident acts as a pivotal moment for Bud, motivating him to quit drinking and engage with Kate and Molly to better grasp the election’s complexities and make informed decisions. He reviews letters from the public that encourage him to prioritize significant issues in his voting. During a debate where Bud moderates, he poses questions derived from the correspondence he received. In a heartfelt speech, he admits his lack of knowledge about politics and life in general. The following morning, Bud votes while Molly looks on, beaming with pride