Opinion
RNC Chair Announces Trump Campaign’s Intent to Sue Bucks County, PA Over Mail Ballot Confusion
Dear Friends,
As we approach the final days of this heated, closely contested Presidential election campaign, reports of alleged misconduct continue to surface. In Pennsylvania, polls show Trump leading by only one point. Yet, according to the Trump campaign, county officials are attempting to undercut his lead. To address this, Trump intends to file a lawsuit against Bucks County.
Below is the latest story on the matter. Please read it, and as always, your comments are welcome and appreciated.
Pennsylvania remains a crucial battleground state, and every effort must be made to ensure a fair election.
Stay tuned for my final thoughts ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 5th.
Yours Truly,
Judson Bennett – Coastal Network
RNC Chair Announces Trump Campaign’s Plan to Sue Bucks County Over Mail Ballot Confusion
By: Christina Kristofic, Ian Karbal, and Tom Sofield – October 29, 2024, 11:18 PM
In a recent rally for former President Donald Trump in Allentown, the RNC Chairman, Michael Whatley, revealed that the Trump campaign plans to file a lawsuit against Bucks County. The suit alleges that county officials turned away voters seeking to apply for mail ballots.
“Democrat election officials see our turnout, they’re seeing us break early vote records across Pennsylvania, and they want to stop our momentum. We will fight to ensure every vote is counted,” stated Whatley.
On Tuesday, the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee filed a writ of summons in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, a preliminary step to the lawsuit. Named in the filing are the Bucks County Board of Elections, former Elections Director Deena Dean, and the three county commissioners.
Whatley’s message to voters at the rally was clear: “Donald Trump needs Pennsylvania, and America needs Pennsylvania.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Response
Governor Josh Shapiro criticized Trump’s accusations of “cheating” on social media, reiterating that election officials were working to ensure a fair voting process. Shapiro highlighted Trump’s previous unsuccessful legal challenges in Pennsylvania and assured voters of a “free and fair, safe and secure election.”
County election officials clarified that the recent confusion stemmed from a miscommunication regarding the process for on-demand mail ballots. While Pennsylvania does not allow early voting, voters can apply for mail ballots in person and receive them immediately if submitted before the state’s 5 p.m. deadline. Social media posts showing lines and voters allegedly being denied entrance quickly went viral, sparking widespread debate.
Long Lines and Legislative Action
Reports from Bucks County indicate lengthy wait times for on-demand mail ballot applications, with many voters incorrectly assuming they were in line to vote in person. These delays led State Senator Frank Farry (R-Bucks) to propose legislation requiring that all voters in line by closing time be served.
Efforts to address such election challenges have been hindered by a lack of bipartisan consensus. While House Democrats have advocated for early voting reforms, Senate Republicans have conditioned their support on stricter voter identification requirements.
As Election Day approaches, election officials urge voters to exercise patience, recognizing the efforts to meet demand in this busy cycle.
Peter Hall and Kim Lyons of the Capital-Star staff contributed
This story was updated on October 30, 2024, to reflect the Trump campaign’s legal filing and a statement from Gov. Josh Shapiro.
4o