The Trump campaign secured a legal win in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, following a lawsuit over alleged voter suppression during the state’s early voting period. The campaign claimed that local election officials had prematurely shut down voter lines, blocking many residents from applying for mail-in ballots in person before the official 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline. This court victory led to an extension of early voting hours to accommodate those affected.
The Trump campaign’s lawsuit, filed late Tuesday night against the Bucks County Board of Elections, alleged that election offices violated Pennsylvania’s election code by instructing voters to leave the premises, even those who had already waited in line for hours. According to a 21-page court filing, security personnel were reportedly involved in directing voters away, a move that the campaign argued infringed upon residents’ right to vote. The lawsuit demanded an extended deadline, ultimately granting in-person mail-in ballot requests through Wednesday to make up for the disruptions.
Support for the lawsuit came from key Republican entities, including the Republican National Committee and Pennsylvania’s Republican Party, alongside Senate candidate David McCormick. Declarations from three voters were included in the suit, each stating that they were forced out of line by security, unable to submit their ballot applications despite following the correct procedures.
James Blair, the Trump 2024 campaign’s political director, celebrated the ruling on social media, writing, “We just won our lawsuit in Bucks County for extended early voting through Friday at 5:00 PM. Thank you to the court for making the right decision and for finding that Bucks County violated the Pennsylvania election code and providing the requested relief.” The Trump campaign emphasized that Pennsylvanians have the right to remain in line if present by the designated time, noting that “this is a direct violation of Pennsylvanians’ rights to cast their ballot.”
https://twitter.com/JamesBlairUSA/status/1851690917633105997
Despite conflicting statements circulating online, Bucks County assured the public that anyone in line by the original 5 p.m. deadline would be able to complete their application. In a statement, the county acknowledged some “miscommunication” among officials but reiterated its commitment to honoring in-line voters’ rights.
This win in Bucks County is particularly significant as the area has historically been a swing region capable of influencing Pennsylvania’s election outcomes. With Pennsylvania viewed as a critical battleground, disputes over voting access are expected to intensify in the run-up to Election Day. Notably, nearby Lehigh County also secured an extension after a Trump rally caused road closures near its election office, blocking access to voting locations and prompting similar legal action.
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