An overseas ballot process that has long been seen as sacrosanct by both parties, due to its connection to US military members serving in foreign countries, is facing multiple GOP-backed lawsuits. The legal assault on overseas ballots comes as they have become favorable for Democrats and could be crucial in the upcoming elections.
Republicans have filed new lawsuits in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan, with former President Donald Trump suggesting, without evidence, that overseas votes are a source of fraud. There are about 6.5 million eligible American voters living abroad, with approximately 1.6 million in battleground states.
Democrats view the GOP legal challenges as an attack on the franchise of service people serving abroad. The civilian expat community is also targeted by the Republican lawsuits. Election officials warn that last-minute changes to election procedures could disenfranchise voters and cast doubt on the results.
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) governs the process for uniformed and civilian citizens abroad to cast ballots. The law, in place for nearly four decades, has enjoyed bipartisan support.
Research shows that the civilian overseas vote has surpassed military voters abroad. Democrats Abroad, an organization of Americans living worldwide, has been actively encouraging members to request and submit their ballots.
Republicans have challenged state laws in North Carolina and Michigan that extend voting eligibility to US citizens abroad who have never lived in those states. Democrats and state officials argue that these laws comply with state constitutions.
In Pennsylvania, the dispute centers on how overseas ballots are vetted. Republican lawmakers are seeking further verification of these ballots, while Democrats warn of potential disenfranchisement.
Rep. Pat Ryan, a veteran, criticized the lawsuits, stating that military members deserve to have their votes protected and counted. He emphasized the importance of respecting the voting rights of those serving abroad.
