The Republican National Committee has filed a federal lawsuit against Nevada to prevent the state from counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day. The law currently permits the tallying of ballots received up to four days after Election Day, as long as the envelopes are postmarked before the deadline. Republicans argue that this violates the U.S. Constitution’s requirement for a single Election Day and undermines election integrity.
This lawsuit is part of a larger trend of Republicans challenging laws that allow the counting of ballots received after Election Day. The party has filed a total of 83 election-related suits six months before Election Day, reflecting their increased focus on fighting over election rules. This comes after former President Donald Trump installed loyalists who have echoed his false claims about the 2020 election being stolen.
Nineteen states, including Nevada, currently allow ballots to be counted if they are received after Election Day. Supporters of these rules argue that they make voting easier and give those who vote by mail the same amount of time as those who vote in person. However, opponents claim that these rules slow down election results, erode trust in the system, and could potentially be exploited for fraudulent purposes. Nevada’s Democratic secretary of state, Francisco Aguilar, criticized the RNC’s lawsuit, expressing hope that they would focus on educating voters instead of suing the state.
The RNC’s lawsuit is part of a broader effort to challenge election rules across the country. They have also sued to overturn similar laws in Mississippi and North Dakota. The party’s actions reflect a growing trend of election-related litigation, with a particular emphasis on contesting rules that were implemented after the 2020 election. The RNC’s chairman, Michael Whatley, emphasized the importance of ensuring that ballots received after Election Day are not counted, in order to uphold election integrity and comply with federal law.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the upcoming election in Nevada, as well as for similar laws in other states. The legal battle over the counting of mail-in ballots received after Election Day highlights the ongoing debate over election rules and procedures in the United States. With both parties actively engaged in litigation over these issues, the results of these legal challenges could shape the future of elections and voting practices in the country. It remains to be seen how the courts will rule on this contentious issue and what impact it will have on the democratic process.
