GOP Lawsuit in PA Threatens Inclusion of Military Absentee Ballots

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Mail-in ballot application with I Voted By Mail sticker.

Amid Pennsylvania’s crucial election period, a GOP-led lawsuit threatens to overhaul absentee voting protocols, risking military vote exclusion. Given the risks for potential voter fraud in this vital state, additional scrutiny is to be expected. Democrats oppose the examination however.

GOP Lawsuit Targets Absentee Voting Process

Six Republican congressmen filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania, aiming to reform the absentee voting process by questioning current verification methods. With elections nearing, their actions could affect U.S. military members’ ballots, risking exclusion of their vote counts. Despite these claims, state officials and experts argue that existing absentee procedures comply with federal mandates for elections, particularly with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) that safeguards military absentee votes.

Opposition against this move gains momentum, especially among veteran advocacy groups. Sarah Streyder, a vocal advocate, emphasized, “Advocates for overseas military families and expatriates are pushing back against lawsuits…” Tension escalates as amendments introduced so close to the elections are seen as possible detriments to fair military vote participation, potentially skewing tight races in essential electoral regions.

Concerns Over Disenfranchising Military Voters

The controversy primarily revolves around absentee voting procedures, with Republican claims of loopholes facilitating unlawful voting. However, officials argue these accusations are baseless, and such legislative changes risk disenfranchising military personnel.

Former Marine Capt. Janessa Goldbeck countered, “To think that it is a politically convenient thing to do to go after the ballots of people who have literal skin in the game…” These worries echo across multiple states with similar lawsuits filed by the Republican National Committee.

Concerns escalate as the lawsuit demands increased verification for overseas ballots, which state officials warn could induce confusion and stall vote counting. More than 25,000 absentee ballots were distributed to overseas voters in Pennsylvania, making this a pivotal issue in ensuring military votes are tallied properly without unwarranted interference.

Legal and Political Ramifications

Legal challenges in Pennsylvania are part of broader Republican strategies questioning election efficacy. Past instances like refusing to certify President Biden’s 2020 victory highlight potential political motives. The plaintiffs demand that overseas ballots be withheld until voter eligibility can be confirmed, an act seen as divisive ahead of impending elections.

With over 938,000 UOCAVA ballots counted during the 2020 election, the preservation of voting rights for military members remains crucial. Democrats and state officials argue that any harm inflicted by these legal disputes could undermine military votes’ integrity and alter pivotal state results, emphasizing, “Undercutting confidence in our free and fair elections…” The ongoing debates underline the delicate balance between improving election integrity and preserving democratic principles.

Sources:

  1. Absentee voter fraud worries.
  2. Military votes scrutinized in PA

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