Judges reject GOP efforts to disenfranchise overseas voters

 

STARTING SOON: Join us tonight at 7 p.m. ET for a free, live panel discussion featuring Secretaries of State Adrian Fontes, Jena Griswold, Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Steve Hobbs, moderated by Marc Elias and Norman Eisen. Don't miss this opportunity to hear how chief election officers are preparing for the election and certification — you can register for the event here if you haven’t already. Michigan and North Carolina judges deliver victories for overseas voters A Michigan judge rejected the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) lawsuit trying to disqualify the votes of certain overseas and military voters in the battleground state. The judge called the GOP lawsuit an "11th hour attempt to disenfranchise" voters. A judge denied the RNC's request to disenfranchise certain U.S. citizens and military members living abroad from voting in North Carolina. Georgia Supreme Court will weigh in on State Election Board rules The Georgia Supreme Court agreed to review seven controversial rules recently passed by the State Election Board. The RNC and the state GOP appealed a decision from a state judge that struck down the rules last week for violating state and federal law. This lawsuit was originally filed by a non-profit organization, Eternal Vigilance Action, and two Georgia Republicans on Sept. 11, who argued that the unelected board members passing these rules usurped the legislature's authority to change election processes. Read here to learn more about the rules being challenged and the other lawsuits the board is currently facing. THE SCOREBOARD Since Jan. 1, 2023 Arizona official pleads guilty to 2022 election subversion scheme A Republican election official in Cochise County, Arizona pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for refusing to certify the 2022 midterm election. Right-wing group appeals pro-voting decision in Minnesota A right-wing group appealed a decision rejecting its attempt to block a Minnesota law that establishes criminal penalties for knowingly spreading election disinformation or engaging in voter intimidation. The law is currently in effect for the election. Resources to read before you vote in the 2024 election Check out our guide to the 2024 democracy-related ballot initiatives in numerous states. There are a few themes many of the measures share, including noncitizen voting, ranked choice voting and primary election reforms. Explore our written and video interviews with pro-democracy candidates running for a variety of positions in numerous states and get concise, insightful answers on their visions and policies. Court hearing coming up tomorrow The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear a lawsuit challenging North Dakota's legislative map for diluting Native American voting power. The secretary of state appealed a ruling that struck down the map for violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. In 2023, the 8th Circuit ruled that private parties can't sue under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, but Native American voters argue that Section 2 is privately enforceable under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act. Read here to learn about Section 1983.