The Republican National Committee, reconstituted under Trump, has engaged in nearly half the states with election-related lawsuits, marking a significant shift in its strategy with the added pressure from the former president. These lawsuits are seen as crucial for campaign messaging, fundraising, and raising doubts about the validity of the upcoming November elections. This increased legal maneuvering by the RNC has prompted concerns among Democrats and legal experts about its potential impact on election officials and the integrity of the election results. The Democratic National Committee has responded by investing tens of millions of dollars in building a robust voter protection operation to counteract the GOP’s efforts to restrict access to the polls.
Election litigation has been on the rise post the 2020 election, with Trump and his allies challenging his loss to Biden in numerous lawsuits that were ultimately unsuccessful. This surge in legal actions has become a recurring trend not only in this election cycle but also in the 2022 midterms. The legal battles have targeted various aspects of voting and election administration, including voter ID rules, mail ballots, and voter roll maintenance. Recent lawsuits in Michigan and Nevada have drawn attention due to their potential impact on voter registration and ballot counting procedures.
The RNC is actively deploying a team of lawyers to challenge election-related issues in different states. The lawsuits have targeted states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Mississippi with claims ranging from improper dated absentee ballots to absentee voting procedures and ballot drop boxes. The legal team has been involved in over 80 lawsuits in 23 states, with plans for more litigation underway. Concerns have been raised about the validity and impact of some of these lawsuits, with opponents arguing that they rely on flawed data and could potentially lead to the purging of legitimate voters from the rolls.
The increasing emphasis on election litigation by the RNC can be attributed to internal changes within the organization, with a renewed focus on election integrity following the leadership change and reshaping of the organization under Michael Whatley and Lara Trump. The creation of an election integrity department with dedicated resources and staff reflects the party’s commitment to challenging and prioritizing legal battles related to election laws and voting procedures. Despite criticisms and doubts about the outcomes of these lawsuits, the RNC remains committed to its legal strategy as a key component of its election campaign efforts.
The lawsuits filed by the RNC have sparked concerns about their potential impact on voter confidence, election results, and the integrity of the electoral process. Legal experts and democracy groups have warned that these lawsuits could pave the way for false narratives challenging the outcome of the 2024 elections while consuming time and resources of election offices across the country. The lawsuits are seen as a way to raise funds, maintain campaign issues, and keep the topic of election integrity at the forefront of political discourse. Critics worry that these legal actions may undermine the credibility of the election results and sow seeds of doubt among the electorate.
While most of the lawsuits filed by the RNC may not succeed in court, they serve as a fundraising tool and a strategic move to keep election integrity as a central campaign issue. The legal battles, while unlikely to alter the outcomes of the elections, could have a lasting impact on the public perception of the electoral process and the validity of the results. The ongoing legal actions by the RNC and other groups in different states highlight the contentious nature of election laws and voter registration procedures, with potential implications for future elections and public trust in the democratic process.
