The Republican Party and its conservative allies have launched an unprecedented legal campaign targeting the American voting system. This methodical effort aims to contest an election that they falsely claim is being rigged against former President Donald J. Trump.
Key Players and Strategy
This campaign involves a powerful network of Republican lawyers and activist groups, working in collaboration with the Republican National Committee. Many of these key players were actively involved in Mr. Trump’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Unlike the chaotic challenges of the past, the current drive includes a systematic search for vulnerabilities in the nation’s election system. The strategy comprises two main approaches: restricting voting for partisan advantage before Election Day and challenging the process of ratifying the winner after the election, particularly if Mr. Trump loses.
Challenging Settled Law
The strategy includes an ambitious and legally contentious attempt to reinterpret established laws that dictate how election results are certified in the period leading up to the transfer of power. This new approach aims to sow doubt among voters about the integrity of the election, even in the absence of evidence.
Republicans argue that Democrats use tactics such as mail voting, drop boxes, and voter registration drives to sway election outcomes. Additionally, they claim that Mr. Trump’s indictments and criminal conviction are part of a Biden administration ploy to interfere with the election process.
“As things stand right now, there’s zero chance of a free and fair election,” stated Mike Howell, a project director at the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation. “I’m formally accusing the Biden administration of creating conditions that make it impossible for most officials to certify an election in good conscience.”
