With just over 70 days until Election Day on Nov. 5, major political events and dates are rapidly approaching. The first mail ballots will be sent to voters on Sept. 6, marking the start of the election season. Early in-person voting will begin as soon as Sept. 20 in some states, with voter registration deadlines varying by state. In the battleground state of Georgia, the deadline is Oct. 7 for voter registration. In Pennsylvania, voters can request, complete, and return mail ballots starting on Sept. 16. The fast-approaching election calendar is filled with important dates and deadlines for voters to keep in mind.
The presidential debates are a key moment in the election season, with the first set to take place on Sept. 10 in Philadelphia between former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. There are also plans for a vice-presidential debate on Oct. 1 between Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance. Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 18 in his hush money criminal case, but his lawyers have requested a delay until after the election, citing concerns about election interference. Trump’s legal challenges and appeals in various cases, including a civil fraud judgment in New York and a ruling on his immunity in a presidential case, are ongoing.
The fight over voting rules and election integrity has already begun, with both Democrats and Republicans preparing for potential legal battles. Trump has installed his own leadership team at the Republican National Committee, including a director of election integrity, to challenge voting rules. Democrats are also mobilizing and assembling a legal team to address GOP efforts to remove inactive voters or noncitizens from voter rolls. The rhetoric over noncitizen voting and efforts to refuse to certify election results are escalating, setting the stage for potential challenges and disputes over the election outcome.
Trump’s legal battles and challenges, including appeals in various cases and ongoing litigation in Georgia, are expected to shape the election landscape. Federal prosecutors have brought criminal cases against Trump, but with one already dismissed and another likely to be reshaped due to a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, the legal battles are far from over. Decisions on which allegations in the prosecution case against Trump can proceed and which may be discarded will be key in determining the outcome of these legal battles.
As the election date draws near, the preparations for potential challenges, disputes, and legal battles are intensifying on both sides. Trump’s legal challenges and appeals, as well as ongoing litigation in various cases, are expected to play a significant role in shaping the election season. The fight over voting rules and election integrity is expected to reach new heights, with both Democrats and Republicans gearing up for potential disputes and conflicts as the election approaches. The fast-approaching election calendar and the significant dates and events ahead highlight the importance of staying informed and engaged in the electoral process.
