Election Lawsuits Intensify
Court Decisions Affecting the 2024 Election Cycle
As the election day draws nearer, a series of court decisions have been made that will influence how votes are counted in the 2024 election cycle.
The state of Virginia, a key battleground, appealed to the Supreme Court just eight days before the election after its attempt to remove non-citizens from its voter rolls was blocked by two lower courts. The Justice Department had previously sued the state and won an injunction for its alleged violation of the National Voter Registration Act's ban on systematic attempts to clean up voter rolls 90 days before an election. However, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Virginia, allowing the removal of non-citizens.
DOJ's Lawsuit in Alabama and RNC's Challenge in Michigan
The Justice Department also filed a similar lawsuit in Alabama, resulting in a separate injunction by a federal judge. The same law was invoked in the Republican National Committee's (RNC) challenge to Michigan's supposed failure to maintain its voter rolls, but a federal judge dismissed the party's lawsuit on October 22.
Controversy Surrounding Mail-in Ballots
Mail-in ballots have been a contentious issue, particularly in the wake of their widespread use during the 2020 presidential election, with questions about their reliability. There were reports of two ballot boxes being burned on October 28 in Washington and Oregon.
Rulings on Mail-in Ballots
Two rulings on mail-in ballots have been issued by the Nevada Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the weeks leading up to the election. The first ruling, made on October 28, stated that late-arriving ballots could be counted up to three days after the election. The second ruling, made on October 25, held that the Constitution required ballots to be counted on election day.
The RNC, which has been pushing for stricter limits on counting in Mississippi and Nevada, recently disclosed to The Epoch Times that it was involved in over 130 lawsuits across 26 states this election cycle.
RNC's Appeal to the Supreme Court
The party also requested the U.S. Supreme Court to halt a ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which voted 5-4 to allow provisional ballots from individuals who had incorrectly cast mail-in ballots.
Elon Musk's Controversy in Philadelphia
Elon Musk, who endorsed former President Donald Trump, faced criticism in Philadelphia, where the city's district attorney sued to stop what he termed as an "illegal lottery" promoted by the billionaire. Musk's America PAC is giving away $1 million every day to a person who has signed a petition supporting the Constitution.
Other Election-related Lawsuits
Other lawsuits have been filed over policies related to results certification, overseas voters, voting by convicted felons, mail-in ballots, and voter rolls. Georgia, another potential swing state, tried to implement seven new rules before the election, but each was overturned by a superior court judge earlier this month.
Bottom Line
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, the role of the courts in shaping the outcome is becoming increasingly apparent. With a flurry of lawsuits and court decisions, the landscape of the election is being continually reshaped. What are your thoughts on these developments? Do you think they will have a significant impact on the election results? Share this article with your friends and let them know about these crucial developments. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
