The Republican National Committee, under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, has filed election-related lawsuits in nearly half of the states as part of a broader strategy targeting various aspects of voting and election administration. Recent lawsuits in Michigan and Nevada are seen as crucial as Election Day approaches in November. These legal actions are not new but have gained more importance due to internal changes within the RNC and pressure from Trump. The lawsuits are being used for campaign messaging, fundraising, and raising doubts about the validity of the election.
On the other side, the Democratic National Committee has a legal strategy of its own, investing heavily in a robust voter protection operation to counter the GOP’s efforts to restrict access to the polls. Democrats and legal experts have expressed concerns that the lawsuits filed by the RNC may overwhelm election officials and undermine voter confidence in the election results. The increase in election-related litigation is seen as a growing trend in both parties’ political and electoral strategies, with the 2022 midterms projected to generate a high number of lawsuits as well.
The RNC’s litigation targets various aspects of election processes, including voter ID rules, mail ballots, and voter roll maintenance. A recent lawsuit in Michigan alleges that the state has failed to keep its voter rolls updated, with opponents criticizing the lawsuit for relying on unsubstantiated data. Groups like the League of Women Voters have expressed concerns about the RNC’s efforts to purge voters from the rolls, noting that similar unsuccessful lawsuits have targeted Michigan in the past. The RNC has also filed lawsuits in other states like Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Mississippi, challenging different election procedures.
The RNC and affiliated groups are involved in dozens of cases across multiple states, with plans for more lawsuits in the pipeline. The party’s legal team has been active in over 80 lawsuits in 23 states during this election cycle, focusing on election-related litigation as a top priority. Changes within the RNC, including the establishment of an election integrity department and the recruitment of poll observers and lawyers, reflect a renewed focus on election integrity under the leadership of RNC chairman Michael Whatley and Lara Trump. While most of the lawsuits are unlikely to succeed in court, they serve as a basis for fundraising and keeping election integrity as a campaign issue.
However, democracy groups and legal experts warn that these lawsuits could pave the way for false narratives challenging the validity of the 2024 election while consuming valuable time and resources at election offices. Post-election lawsuits could potentially delay or obstruct the certification of election results, leading to further disputes and undermining trust in the electoral process. The Center for Election Innovation & Research has expressed concerns about the planting of seeds of doubt in the minds of the electorate through these lawsuits and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the integrity of elections. The ongoing legal battles between the RNC and DNC highlight the growing significance of election-related litigation in shaping the outcomes of future elections.
