With the 2024 elections drawing nearer, political tensions are running high, especially among Republicans who are embroiled in legal battles over various election rules and practices. Recent developments have showcased how the GOP is leveraging legal strategies to instill doubt about the electoral process and potentially justify claims of electoral fraud should the elections not go their way.
One notable case is happening in Georgia, where Fulton County Judge Thomas Cox ruled on October 16, 2024, against seven election rules set forth by the State Election Board (SEB) dominated by Republican members. This ruling came as part of litigation initiated by two Republicans and the organization Eternal Vigilance Action, which contested four rules impacting absentee ballot processes and election certification. The plaintiffs claimed these rules encroached on state constitutional authority and risked undermining public confidence leading up to the November elections.
Judge Cox asserted the SEB's actions were unconstitutional, stating they lacked the authority to impose rules governing federal elections. Among the contested provisions was the so-called Hand Count Rule, which required election officials to manually count ballots on Election Day, something courts have blocked before for logistical reasons.
These rules, pushed by state Republicans and even endorsed by former President Donald Trump, highlight the GOP's current approach: tightly regulating election processes under the guise of integrity. The reaction from state courts indicates skepticism about whether such measures genuinely uphold electoral integrity or instead serve partisan interests.
The controversy doesn't stop there. An analysis by Democracy Docket, reflecting on the number of cases initiated by the GOP from 2023 to September 2024, revealed alarming trends. The Republican National Committee (RNC) and its affiliates have filed or engaged with at least 72 lawsuits, which is significantly more than the 41 filed during the previous midterm elections. Election experts argue these cases are less about securing honest elections and more about sowing doubt and misinformation surrounding the electoral process.
Many of these lawsuits claim inadequacies within states’ voter registration systems, alleging numerous non-citizens are illegally voting. Critics quickly point out the dubious nature of these assertions, labeling them as based on unreliable data and fundamentally flawed methodologies. Notably, comments from Ben Berwick from Protect Democracy labeled these claims as “garbage.”
For example, Republicans recently raised alarms about nearly 4,000 alleged non-citizens voting in Nevada, claims starkly contradicted by the state’s former Republican secretary of state, who clarified these individuals were likely naturalized citizens. Such tactics appear aimed at energizing the GOP base by invoking fears about fraudulent voting practices, reminiscent of the dubious narrative used during the tumultuous 2020 election.
A similar pattern is evident beyond Nevada; North Carolina has also seen the RNC engage in questionable legal maneuvers. This included accusations against state election officials for not properly verifying citizen status based on outdated or misinterpreted laws. The backdrop of these accusations aims not only to confront specific election practices but to create the illusion of widespread irregularities, as seen on platforms echoing Trump’s assertions of rampant illegitimacy.
Republicans claim these legal battles are necessary for ensuring fair elections, yet instances of non-citizen voting remain rare, undermining the core of their legal arguments. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign's national press secretary, defended the party's position by expressing concerns of invading influences over elections, leading to assertions of false voter behaviors happening under Democrats’ watch.
This multi-front legal warfare appears aimed at reinforcing the narrative of election fraud, impacting not just the potential outcomes of the elections but also the integrity of the electoral processes across the states involved. With claims of misconduct dominating headlines, many predict this period leading up to the elections will only intensify these narratives.
Leadership from notable Republicans like Liz Cheney, who has vocalized her opposition to Trump's influence on the party, showcases the ideological divides within the GOP. Cheney’s admission on national platforms about dissociative beliefs on what it means to be part of today’s Republican Party reflects concerns of conservatives like her recognizing the mounting challenge to reclaim their identity from the clutches of Trumpism.
Cheney’s perspective highlights a growing frustration among moderates and traditional conservatives. The constant battles over election integrity and loyalty to Trump signal uncertainty about what path the party will take moving forward, especially if the tides of public opinion shift dramatically following the 2024 elections.
The election year is setting the stage for what could be the most contested struggle for legitimacy we’ve seen, but the ramifications reach beyond just legal battles. They are reshaping how both parties conceptually engage with the electorate and what it means to uphold democratic principles. If the trends continue, many are left wondering how the Republican Party might emerge from the 2024 elections and what role—if any—traditional conservative values will have left to play.
