GOP's aggressive legal election strategy has more than 130 cases

This election cycle, featuring a former president leading the Republican ticket who previously attempted to overturn his 2020 loss, has been marked by an unprecedented volume of pre-election litigation. The GOP, involved in 130 cases, has aggressively used the courts to preemptively cast doubt on the 2024 results. Republicans assert they aim to ensure clarity in election rules and hold officials accountable, while Democrats are defending against GOP challenges aimed at disqualifying eligible voters.

Despite this legal onslaught, experts suggest that the Republican-led lawsuits have yet to significantly alter voting regulations or election administration. The GOP’s court efforts have been largely unsuccessful in achieving favorable outcomes thus far. Meanwhile, the GOP maintains that their efforts are aimed at sustaining election integrity by thwarting alleged Democratic attempts to undermine voting safeguards.

Litigation surrounding voting by mail, a critical issue, continues in various battleground states. Key court decisions in Pennsylvania and Michigan have impacted mail voting practices, while ongoing disputes in Nevada are yet to be resolved before Election Day. A significant legal victory for Republicans came with a federal appeals court ruling related to mail ballots in Mississippi.

Georgia has seen significant legal battles regarding the certification of election results, vital for both Trump and Vice President Harris, with recent court rulings blocking certification changes proposed by Trump allies. A notable case in Arizona temporarily restricts state officials from disregarding county election results if not finalized locally.

Republicans have concentrated efforts on purging alleged noncitizens from voter rolls, but most legal actions on voter purges have not made substantial headway. Faced with federal law restrictions, several states have been challenged for attempting to clean up voter lists close to elections.

Legal skirmishes over poll worker and watcher regulations reflect ongoing partisan fears about election monitoring and access, amid concerns of intimidation and harassment. Recent rulings in Arizona and Michigan have settled disputes about voter identification and overseas ballot eligibility, crucial for civilian voters abroad.

Overall, litigation this cycle reflects both parties' fervent efforts to shape the electoral process ahead of the upcoming election. Notable legal interventions continue to influence mail voting practices, result certification processes, and maintain checks on voter eligibility across the United States.