Politics
JUST IN: Trump Campaign Wins Election Integrity Lawsuit In Critical County
The Trump campaign scored a legal victory in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, after filing a lawsuit over alleged voter suppression during early voting. The campaign alleged that officials shut down voter lines hours before the deadline, leaving many residents unable to apply for mail-in ballots in person. The Bucks County Court of Common Pleas ruled in favor of the Trump campaign, extending early voting hours to accommodate those affected.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday night against the Bucks County Board of Elections, claiming that voters were “turned away” while trying to apply for mail-in ballots at local election offices. According to the 21-page filing, security personnel reportedly forced voters to leave the premises, violating Pennsylvania’s election code. The Trump campaign demanded an extension to the original deadline, which was set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, to allow in-person mail-in ballot requests until the end of the day on Wednesday, according to ABC News.
On Tuesday, voters faced waits of up to three hours. According to the lawsuit, those still waiting in line at 5 p.m. were instructed to leave.
The legal action was supported by various Republican organizations and figures, including the Republican National Committee, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, and Senate candidate David McCormick. The lawsuit featured signed declarations from three voters who claimed they were removed from long lines by security officials, asserting that the sudden closures infringed upon their right to vote.
James Blair, political director of the Trump 2024 campaign, quickly shared the news of the victory on social media, declaring, “We just won our lawsuit in Bucks County for extended early voting through Friday at 5:00 PM. Thank you to the court for making the right decision and for finding that Bucks County violated the Pennsylvania election code and providing the requested relief.”
🚨Good News Alert 🚨
We just won our lawsuit in Bucks County for extended Early Voting through Friday at 5:00 PM.
Thank you to the court for making the right decision and for finding that Bucks County violated the Pennsylvania election code and providing the requested relief. https://t.co/zQ1xqnKkRz
— James Blair (@JamesBlairUSA) October 30, 2024
“This is a direct violation of Pennsylvanians’ rights to cast their ballot — and all voters have a right to STAY in line,” the Trump campaign said in a statement earlier. Unlike some states, Pennsylvania does not permit early voting on voting machines at polling locations.
Despite conflicting reports on social media, the county assured that anyone in line by 5 p.m. to apply for an on-demand mail-in ballot will be able to do so. “Contrary to what is being depicted on social media, if you are in line by 5 p.m. for an on-demand mail-in ballot application, you will have the opportunity to submit your application for a mail-in ballot,” confirmed the county in a statement. However, the county did recognize some “miscommunication” from officials on site.
Bucks County voters have often played a pivotal role in Pennsylvania’s election outcomes, making the county’s handling of voting procedures highly significant. With Pennsylvania widely regarded as a must-win state for both major party candidates, legal battles over voting access are expected to persist in the final days before the election.
According to Pittsburgh’s NPR news station, nearby Lehigh County also requested a judicial extension of the deadline by one day, through Wednesday, due to road closures around a Trump rally in downtown Allentown that blocked access to the elections office. The judge also approved the extension.
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