A Flurry of Election Lawsuits Could Determine the 2024 Presidential Race
The 2024 U.S. Presidential election is heating up not only at the polls but in the courts. A wave of lawsuits, primarily led by the Republican National Committee (RNC), could significantly impact voter eligibility, absentee ballot rules, and ultimately the outcome of the race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
RNC and Election Lawsuits: Aiming for Election Integrity or Restricting Voting?
The RNC has filed over 100 lawsuits across the country, targeting issues like absentee ballot deadlines, ensuring mail-in ballots meet specific requirements, and preventing noncitizens from voting in federal elections. Republicans argue these lawsuits are crucial to maintaining election integrity, claiming that current mail-in ballot procedures in several states, such as Pennsylvania, are unlawful.
On the other hand, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and civil rights groups worry that these lawsuits, if successful, could lead to voter disenfranchisement. Their counter-lawsuits aim to block what they see as restrictive measures, particularly concerning last-minute changes to election rules.
Key Election Cases: Mississippi’s Absentee Ballot Deadline
A lawsuit in Mississippi over absentee ballot deadlines could have far-reaching consequences. Mississippi, like 12 other states, allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to arrive within a grace period of up to five days. However, the RNC is challenging this rule, arguing that federal law requires all voting to end on Election Day itself.
The case has the potential to make its way to the Supreme Court. If the justices side with the RNC, it could lead to the invalidation of tens of thousands of late-arriving ballots nationwide. Legal experts have noted that such a decision would be “radical” and could create widespread implications for absentee voting in future elections.
Georgia Lawsuits and Delays in Certifying the Vote
Georgia, a key battleground state, is also dealing with multiple lawsuits that could delay the certification of its election results. One rule passed by the Georgia State Election Board requires three people in each precinct to hand-count ballots and match them with machine totals. The DNC argues that this last-minute change could lead to significant delays and confusion in reporting results.
Other lawsuits are targeting August rules requiring officials to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” before certifying results, which could also lead to delays. Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold, is particularly affected by these legal challenges, with one board member, Julie Adams, filing a lawsuit over her right to access election-related documents and vote ‘no’ on certification.
Pennsylvania’s Absentee Ballot Errors: A Case to Watch
Pennsylvania is once again a focal point in the election litigation landscape. The state’s Supreme Court recently ruled that absentee ballots missing dates on their outer envelopes should not be counted, a decision that could potentially disenfranchise many voters. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is challenging this decision, arguing that such errors are “immaterial” and shouldn’t invalidate a voter’s ballot.
A second lawsuit is challenging guidance issued by Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt on how to handle absentee ballot errors. Republicans argue that allowing voters to correct errors on their mail-in ballots could lead to election chaos, while Democrats argue that rejecting these ballots would disenfranchise voters.
North Carolina’s Voter Registration ID Controversy
In North Carolina, the legal battle is centered on voter identification requirements. The RNC sued the State Board of Elections, claiming that it failed to verify voter registration IDs, potentially allowing noncitizens to register. With 225,000 voters potentially at risk of being removed from the rolls, this case could be a deciding factor in North Carolina’s election results.
A federal judge is set to hear the case on October 17, and legal experts suggest that it could reach the Supreme Court before Election Day, setting a precedent for how voter registration will be handled in the future.
The Potential Impact on the 2024 Presidential Election
With a high volume of litigation surrounding key voting issues, the courts will play a critical role in determining not just who can vote but how votes are counted. As these cases make their way through the legal system, the outcome could significantly influence the presidential contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Whether in Mississippi, Georgia, Pennsylvania, or North Carolina, the decisions made in these lawsuits will shape the future of U.S. elections.