Court Rejects GOP Lawsuits on Overseas Voting

Judges in North Carolina and Michigan rejected lawsuits from the Republican National Committee (RNC) aimed at disqualifying the ballots of overseas voters who have never lived in those states. In North Carolina, the court found no evidence of fraud, allowing U.S. citizens born overseas to parents who were North Carolina residents to vote in the upcoming election. Similarly, the Michigan Court of Claims dismissed the RNC's challenge, emphasizing that the lawsuits were poorly timed and risked disenfranchising voters, particularly military families. Both rulings are seen as significant setbacks for the RNC's efforts to limit overseas voting rights, which have become increasingly important in presidential elections. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson described the ruling as a victory for democracy, while the North Carolina court stressed the importance of not treating citizens differently based on unsubstantiated claims. These decisions affirm existing laws that permit military and overseas voters to participate in elections.