Issa Sues California to Block Mail-in Ballot Counting After Election Day

Rep. Darrell Issa has filed a federal lawsuit against California to prevent the counting of mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day, arguing this practice violates federal law and provides an unfair advantage to Democratic candidates. The lawsuit, backed by Judicial Watch, claims that allowing ballots to be counted up to seven days after Election Day undermines the integrity of elections and has previously resulted in Republican losses. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber has stated her commitment to defending the state's election laws, emphasizing the importance of every voter’s right to have their ballot counted. The lawsuit seeks to revert to previous laws that required ballots to be received by Election Day, citing a federal statute that defines Election Day as a specific date. Judicial Watch argues that the counting of late-arriving ballots has altered electoral outcomes, a concern underscored by the losses of two Republican incumbents in the last election cycle. This legal action comes amid broader discussions about election integrity and mail-in voting practices in the state.