The Republican Party has launched a new election integrity effort focused on litigation in preparation for the 2024 elections in order to avoid the pitfalls experienced in 2020. The GOP has recruited 230,000 volunteers, including 5,000 lawyers, to improve the ground game and ensure transparency in the voting process. The lawyers are expected to play a crucial role in the days and weeks following Election Day. The litigation strategy includes lawsuits aimed at ensuring poll worker parity, access for Republican observers, and cracking down on voter identification laws, citizenship verification standards, and mail-in ballot requirements.
The Republican Party has been aggressive in filing pre-election lawsuits in key swing states to set the rules of the road for the 2024 election. With over 130 lawsuits filed as of now, the GOP has been successful in achieving victories in court as early as the summer. For example, they won a lawsuit against the city of Detroit in August, resulting in more Republican election inspectors being added to voting precincts. Another recent win occurred in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where early voting deadlines were extended with the GOP’s request. Republican officials have touted these successes as achieving more transparency in state elections.
Despite the efforts of the GOP to establish more trust in U.S. elections, the outcome remains uncertain. The concept of election security not only involves safeguards around the voting process but also the voters’ trust in the legitimacy of the results. A recent poll found that Democrats are more likely to express confidence in the outcome of the 2024 presidential election compared to Republicans. While Republicans have made progress in improving election transparency, the overall trust in the election results may still be lacking among some voters.
Looking ahead to Election Day, it is unclear what impact the GOP’s legal challenges could have in contesting the results, even in close states. Courts are reluctant to take up cases after Election Day, making it difficult to change the outcome of the election through legal challenges. The Supreme Court, in particular, is wary of being involved in overtly political fights. Legal experts caution that it is important to establish clear rules and guidelines well before Election Day to ensure fairness and avoid uncertainty in the aftermath of the election.
Overall, the Republican Party’s litigation-focused election integrity effort for the 2024 elections aims to prevent the issues faced in 2020 and improve transparency in voting processes. By recruiting volunteers and lawyers, filing lawsuits, and seeking courtroom victories, the GOP hopes to set the rules of the road in key swing states. However, the success of these efforts in establishing trust in U.S. elections remains to be seen, especially as voters’ confidence in the election outcome varies between Democrats and Republicans.
