Judges in Michigan and North Carolina have recently dismissed lawsuits brought by the Republican National Committee and others challenging overseas ballots cast by voters who never resided in the states. These rulings mark a setback for Republican efforts to target overseas votes, which have traditionally been considered sacrosanct due to their connection to the military. However, the pool of civilian expats now exceeds military voters outside the country, making these votes potentially crucial for Democrats.
In Michigan, Judge Sima Patel of the Court of Claims deemed the Republican lawsuit as an '11th hour attempt to disenfranchise' spouses and children of former Michigan residents living abroad. The judge ruled that the Republicans had filed their lawsuit too late.
