Swing Vote

Bud Johnson is a heavy-drinking slacker living in a trailer in Texico, New Mexico. His wife Larissa has left him with their young daughter Molly to pursue a singing career, while Molly cares about politics and urges him to vote. She even registers him as an independent, hoping he will participate in the presidential election.

Bud reluctantly promises to vote, but loses his job and ends up at the bar, drinking away the day. His lapse means he forgets his promise to Molly. The scene sets up the central conflict of responsibility versus apathy.

Bud sees Molly being interviewed by a television journalist about the election and is reminded of his obligation to vote. He tries to drive to the polling station but passes out drunk in his truck in the parking lot. The moment highlights the consequences of his neglect.

Frustrated by the system, Molly decides to vote on Bud's behalf, hoping to influence the outcome. Before she can select a candidate, the voting machine malfunctions, leaving the ballot inside. Molly takes the stub and leaves to avoid getting caught.

Back home, Molly tells Bud she wants to live with Larissa, but Bud is unable to change the arrangement. The family tension deepens as the personal lives of the trio intersect with the political drama. Molly's desire for stability clashes with Bud's careless routines.

The election ends in a near-tie with both candidates and their electoral votes in limbo. New Mexico's five electoral votes become the hinge, but Bud's miscast vote prevents the state from being clear. A tight ten-day window is set for Bud to cast a proper ballot.

Art Crumb and Martin Fox order their teams to learn everything about Bud, hoping to tailor messages to win him over. They begin micro-targeting him based on his interests and past life. The strategy marks a shift toward personalized persuasion.

Richard Petty drives Bud and Molly to an orchestrated personal meeting with President Boone aboard Air Force One. The encounter is designed to sway Bud with access and spectacle. Molly watches the process with growing discomfort as her father becomes part of the campaign theater.

Bud sees a personal invitation from Willie Nelson to a party organized by Crumb and Greenleaf, tapping into his admiration for the celebrity. Greenleaf’s team even arranges to parole one of Bud's old bandmates for a triumphant musical performance. The spectacle intensifies the political theater around Bud.

Kate Sweeney secures an exclusive interview with Bud, but the interview’s framing misinterprets his actual opinions. The misread narrative causes the candidates to flip-flop on several positions. The media circus grows as public perception shifts.

Bud’s neglect shows when Molly is hurt by his absence during Bring Your Dad to Work Day at her school. She visits Larissa’s home seeking stability, but Larissa lashes out due to prescription drug addiction. Bud deduces what happened, returns, and comforts Molly as journalists swarm.

Bud experiences a wake-up call, stops drinking, and begins working with Kate and Molly to understand the issues. He becomes moderator of a debate, asking questions drawn from letters from the public and expressing his regrets in a written speech. The next morning, Bud casts his vote—an act Molly watches with a smile.