More than 40 million Americans have already voted in the midterm elections. That reports the US Elections Project. According to the polls, it looks like the Democrats are losing their majority. Republican officials and candidates have filed lawsuits in at least three so-called “swing states” to challenge the validity of thousands of ballots.
It always concerns ballot papers that were completed in the days from 24 October, mainly submitted by post. The lawsuits coincide with Republican calls for their voters to vote only on Election Day itself, tomorrow.
In Pennsylvania The state Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Republican National Committee that election officials should not count ballots on which the voter has failed to put a date on the outer envelope, even in cases where the ballots arrive before Election Day. As a result, thousands of ballots have been set aside, enough to influence the outcome in a close race.
Also in Wisconsin Republicans won a case. Ballot papers submitted by post do not count if the voter’s address is not fully entered.
In Michigan, Kristina Karamo, the Republican nominee to become Secretary of State, took over the top election official in Detroit sued. Karamo wanted all votes cast without ID to be declared invalid. Detroit is a predominantly Democratic, black city, where residents often do not have ID, which is not required to vote. Karama’s lawsuit was therefore lost. However, critics say the case was only intended to get white voters to vote Republican.
President Joe Biden has been informed that the police, the judiciary and other government departments do not see any concrete threats. However, he has ordered that “all appropriate steps be taken to ensure secure voting,” a White House spokesman said.
Loss to Democrats?
Biden’s Democrats appear to be losing the majority in the House of Representatives according to the polls, and that could also happen in the Senate. The Republican Party of former President Donald Trump can then block laws and proposals from Biden. This concerns, for example, military and financial support to Ukraine. Biden’s spokesman assured Monday that it will be “unshakable” even if Republicans win.
Kevin McCarthy, who will become Speaker of the House of Representatives if Republicans take control of the House, recently warned that no “blank check” will be written for Ukraine if his party is in charge. The Ukrainian fight against the Russian invasion does enjoy the support of a large part of the Republican voters, although MPs around former President Donald Trump have been critical. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, wants to go further than Biden. According to his spokesperson, he will do everything he can to continue to support Ukraine.
Governors and Attorneys
The United States must renew the entire House of Representatives and a third of the Senate tomorrow. A slew of local mandates, including governors and attorneys, are also at stake.
In recent years, the vast majority of states offer the option of pre- or postal voting, a practice that became widespread in the 2020 presidential elections, which were held in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
This year, more than 18 million Americans voted early and in person, 22 million by mail.
Also read:
The American ‘midterms’ explained: what are they and why are they important?
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