Republicans are escalating their $10 million war on Democratic efforts to challenge voting ballot laws in several states that could lead to election rigging for Democrats in states key to President Trump’s reelection.
Late Tuesday, the Republican National Committee and Minnesota Republican Party moved to “intervene as defendants” in a Minnesota case to help fend off a suit brought by the ACLU, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
It came after the RNC and Michigan Republican Party went to bat for two Michigan laws challenged by Democrats in a bid to ease voting in ways that Republicans believe will open the door to ballot manipulation.
“The RNC is aggressively fighting back against the Democrats’ attempts to sue their way to victory in 2020,” Ronna McDaniel, chairman of the Republican National Committee, told Secrets.
“Democrats know they can’t beat President Trump at the ballot box, so they are trying to use our courts for partisan political gain,” she added.
Democrats are trying to rig the game with frivolous lawsuits that create electoral chaos, waste money, and distract election officials.
It’s an attempt to advance the Democrats’ voter suppression myth because they know they can’t beat @realDonaldTrump.https://t.co/mlOfhNJ5hW
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) February 20, 2020
The RNC, backed by the Trump campaign, is also involved in similar efforts in California, Arizona, and Florida.
Both have set aside $10 million to fight the Democratic ballot law challenges leading up to the 2020 elections and to build an “Election Day” team to protect Republican voters and ballots.
McDaniel said, “These Democrat lawsuits aren’t about making it easier to vote, but rather are an attempt to score cheap political points while watering down common sense laws that bring order to our elections process. As Chair, I vow to protect the sanctity of the ballot against these frivolous efforts.”
In Minnesota, the Republicans have moved to intervene in court to protect two laws, Minnesota’s ballot harvesting ban and the state’s voter protection law.
Ballot harvesting laws generally forbid anyone from collecting absentee ballots. Concerns have been raised that those who do could direct who those filling them out should vote for.
Democrats have claimed that easing the laws will make it easier for people to vote and boost voter turnout.
In addition to fighting in the courts, Republicans are also building a huge legal and volunteer team to watch over Election Day voting to catch any voter intimidation efforts. The RNC provided these highlights of that program:
Our efforts will ensure that no legally eligible voters are disenfranchised, that all votes are accurately and legally tabulated, and that voters are not confused about laws and procedures.
- Thousands of lawyers and tens of thousands of other volunteers will be trained to participate in EDO programs in all battleground states during early voting, on Election Day, post-election canvassing, and during any potential recount.
- Activities of state and local election officials will be monitored to ensure they follow the law.
- Work closely with other GOP party committees, including the NRSC, NRCC, and state parties on Election Day Operations and voting litigation matters.
