Summary
Legal challenges and legislative actions affecting mail-in and early voting access in battleground states have significantly evolved in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. These changes have been driven by a mix of state laws, court rulings, and political dynamics, which collectively influence voter access and election integrity in key regions.
In recent years, several battleground states have enacted laws that both expand and restrict mail-in and early voting. For instance, Michigan has seen substantial improvements in voting access, such as adding nine days of early voting and allowing online requests for mail-in ballots, largely in response to voter demand for increased access. Conversely, states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona have introduced measures that some argue make voting more difficult, including stricter identification requirements and reduced access to mail-in ballots. Notably, the legal landscape remains contentious, with ongoing litigation affecting how these laws are implemented. For example, in North Carolina, a recent court ruling mandated the reprinting of ballots to exclude Robert F. Kennedy Jr., complicating the election process and incurring significant costs. These developments reflect a broader trend where election laws are rapidly changing, often in reaction to political pressures and claims surrounding election integrity, which continue to shape the voting experience in pivotal states.
Despite setbacks, election denial continues to thrive in Republican Party
Nov. 6 / Al Jazeera / Highlights the persistent influence of election denialism within the Republican Party, offering a nuanced view of its impact on voter perceptions and election integrity in battleground states. “ Despite facing a wave of defeats in the 2022 midterm elections, election deniers have continued to push false claims. Phoenix, Arizona – For nearly three...
Early in-person voting has begun in some states amid historic changes in the voting process
Oct. 16 / Abc 15 / Delivers a comprehensive analysis of new voting laws in battleground states, detailing how these changes are likely to affect voter turnout and access in the upcoming election. “ While some voter registration dates have passed in parts of the U.S., as the 2024 presidential election approaches early in-person voting has begun already...
What the Long History of Mail-In Voting in the U.S. Reveals About the Election Process
Oct. 4 / Smithsonian Magazine / Sheds light on the complex interplay of legal challenges and legislative actions, emphasizing how these dynamics shape the voting experience in critical battleground states ahead of the election. “ During the Civil War, soldiers who would normally need to take a few days to return home to cast a vote were allowed to do so at the battlefield, and those...
Where RFK Jr.’s quest to get off the ballot has complicated voting rollouts
Sep. 28 / Gazette / Investigates the historical significance of mail-in voting, linking past practices to current controversies and providing a nuanced perspective on the ongoing debate over election integrity. “ Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ’s quest to remove himself from the ballot has complicated ballot rollouts in some swing...
How new voting laws could tip the outcome in November in the closest states
Sep. 25 / Raw Story / Explores the implications of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s ballot removal efforts, showcasing the logistical challenges faced by election officials and how this impacts voting processes in key states. “ GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Some voters are already casting early ballots in the first presidential election since the global pandemic ended and former President...
VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: October September surprises!
Sep. 29 / Las-vegas Review Journal / Provides a critical perspective on perceived election interference, linking recent political maneuvers to historical patterns while raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process. “ An October surprise is usually defined as the well-known (and more often left-wing) tactic of manufacturing or unloading a news story right before voting to...
Map Shows When Early Voting Starts in Each State
Sep. 23 / Newsweek / Examines the historical context of early voting, providing a rich narrative that connects past practices with contemporary issues, enhancing understanding of current voting debates. “ Millions of Americans will head to the polls on November 5 to make their choices in the 2024 elections. But many others will vote in the days and weeks...
VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: October/September Surprises!
Sep. 27 / Dailycaller / Calls attention to the evolving legal landscape surrounding voting rights, emphasizing how recent legislative changes impact mail-in and early voting access in battleground states. “ An October surprise is usually defined as the well-known (and more often left-wing) tactic of manufacturing or unloading a news story right before voting to...
Sep. 20 / The New Yorker / Offers a snapshot of the ongoing battle for election integrity, blending insights from the Harris campaign's strategy with the broader implications for voting access in key states like North Carolina. “ In today’s newsletter, Arizona’s ballot battle, and then: The Harris campaign’s plan for North Carolina Montana’s outsized effect on the Senate The...
'It’s my obligation': Clerk punts retirement to mount write-in bid against election denier
Sep. 12 / Raw Story / Highlights a local election official's courageous stand against election denialism, illustrating the personal stakes involved in maintaining election integrity amidst rising political tensions. “ In the latest development in the unfolding drama in a small Michigan community, an ex-GOP elections clerk who was planning to retire from office is now...
RFK Jr. wins fight to withdraw from N.C. ballot, but Michigan is keeping him on
Sep. 11 / Marketwatch / Presents a clear overview of the early voting landscape, detailing which states have begun their processes and how these changes reflect broader trends in voter access and election participation. “