The Republican Party is taking a proactive approach to ensure they are not outmatched in the courts when it comes to the 2024 elections. They have launched a new, litigation-focused effort aimed at improving the GOP ground game by recruiting and training poll observers and adding more transparency to the voting process. They have recruited over 230,000 volunteers, including 5,000 lawyers, primarily in battleground states. These lawyers play a crucial role in ensuring fair election practices and resolving legal disputes that may arise on Election Day.
The litigation-focused effort of the Republican Party involves filing lawsuits to enforce “poll worker parity” and access for Republican observers at election sites. They have also filed lawsuits aimed at tightening voter identification laws, citizenship verification standards, and adding new requirements for mail-in and provisional ballots. These pre-election lawsuits help establish the rules in key swing states and have proven to be successful in court, with the party winning victories as early as the summer.
One notable legal victory was the RNC’s successful lawsuit against the city of Detroit, where they argued for more Republican election inspectors to adhere to state law requiring an equal number of officials from both major parties. Another recent win in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, resulted in extending early voting deadlines. These legal challenges have led to more transparency in state elections, which the GOP sees as essential for instilling trust in the election process among all voters, regardless of party affiliation.
Despite the legal successes of the Republican Party in the lead-up to Election Day, the issue of establishing trust in U.S. elections remains a challenge. A recent poll found that Democrats are more confident in the outcome of the 2024 election than Republicans, highlighting the importance of ensuring election security and transparency. Legal experts caution that while some lawsuits could be used to challenge election outcomes, courts are typically reluctant to intervene in election results after Election Day, especially the Supreme Court, which aims to avoid overtly political fights.
Looking ahead, the Republican Party’s litigation efforts may play a role in contesting election results if certain states experience close races. However, legal experts stress the importance of having clear rules established well before Election Day to avoid disputes that could impact the outcome. While the party is focused on ensuring fair elections and transparency, the final results and the trust they earn from voters will ultimately determine the success of their efforts in the 2024 elections.
