A U.S. judge in Pennsylvania has dismissed a lawsuit brought by House Republicans aimed at tightening the vetting process for overseas voters. The lawsuit, filed by six out of eight House Republicans from Pennsylvania, alleged that the state law allowed overseas residents to register and vote without proper identification.
The judge, Christopher Conner, deemed the lawsuit a 'nonstarter,' citing the plaintiffs' delay in filing the case and lack of evidence to support their claims. Conner emphasized that granting an injunction at this late stage would disrupt the state's election procedures and potentially disenfranchise thousands of voters.
Republicans in several swing states, including Michigan and North Carolina, have also sought to impose stricter restrictions on overseas voting. These efforts have faced opposition from House Democrats and former military members, who argue that such measures could prevent U.S. service members stationed abroad from casting their votes.
According to the Democratic National Committee, an estimated 1.6 million U.S. voters living overseas are eligible to vote in key swing states, including Pennsylvania. With 19 Electoral College votes, Pennsylvania is a crucial battleground state in the upcoming election.
Recent testimony revealed that over 26,000 overseas ballots have already been cast in Pennsylvania, raising concerns about the potential impact of legal challenges on these votes. The outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications for the presidential race, which is closely contested between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
