Election Integrity in 2024: A Legal Battle for Voting Rights
The 2024 election cycle has emerged as a battleground for legal disputes aimed at safeguarding voting processes. Derek Lyons, president of the nonprofit organization Restoring Integrity & Trust in Elections (RITE), shared insights on these ongoing struggles in an interview with Fox News Digital. His organization has recorded a string of legal victories against what he describes as left-wing efforts to undermine election laws.
Debunking the Myths
Lyons expressed concerns over a narrative propagated by some activists, conveying that voting is an uncomplicated endeavor, stating, “They’ve been selling American people a lie.” He highlighted that recent elections, notably those of the last two cycles, have shown millions of Americans participating without major issues, countering claims made by critics of election integrity measures.
Mission of RITE
Founded in 2022 amid growing unease over the security of the 2020 elections, RITE tackles various challenges related to election laws. The organization includes notable figures like co-founder Karl Rove and former Attorney General Bill Barr. Their mission emphasizes protecting the rule of law concerning voting qualifications, administration, and tabulation.
Confronting Tactics of Detractors
Lyons detailed common tactics employed by left-wing activists during the election season, particularly focusing on efforts to discredit measures like voter ID laws. “Anytime there’s an integrity measure, they label it as disenfranchising,” he noted, referring to how activists invoke historical voting rights laws to rally against these essential safeguards.
Legal Challenges and Victories
In navigating these contentious waters, RITE has participated in multiple legal cases across various states. A notable victory occurred in Wisconsin, where RITE successfully challenged a procedure allowing absentee voters to change their votes mid-election. The organization maintained that once a ballot is mailed and received by election officials, it should no longer be reversible, a stance upheld by the court.
Battleground Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has emerged as a significant arena for electoral disputes, with RITE filing and engaging in numerous election cases since its inception. One such case involved ensuring checks against double voting in Philadelphia, a critical measure to maintain electoral integrity.
The Crown Jewel of Election Law
Lyons described a pivotal Wisconsin case concerning the counting of undated or incorrectly dated mail-in ballots as the “crown jewel” of their achievements in Pennsylvania. The state Supreme Court echoed their sentiments, ruling against counting such ballots. Despite resistance from Democratic-led election boards, the court stood firm, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stringent election law adherence.
Grassroots Coalition for Integrity
In Arizona, RITE spearheaded a coalition to block a ballot initiative that would have loosened voting protections, including provisions on ballot harvesting. Lyons highlighted their success in invalidating hundreds of thousands of signatures collected to support this initiative, emphasizing the coalition’s vital role in retaining the integrity of the electoral process in the state.
Ohio’s Voter ID Law
Lyons recalls a victory in Ohio, where the state passed a sensible voter photo ID law. When Democratic attorney Marc Elias initiated a lawsuit against this law, RITE along with state officials successfully defended it. The case was dismissed by a Democrat-appointed judge, confirming that the law would not disenfranchise voters, a significant win for electoral integrity advocates.
Public Perception of Election Integrity
Concerns over election integrity have been escalating, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 elections. A poll conducted in January revealed that a substantial percentage of registered Republicans lacked confidence in the accuracy of ballot counting, while a significant majority of Democrats expressed trust in the electoral process’s fairness. Moreover, proposals aimed at safeguarding elections, such as requiring a photo ID, have enjoyed broad public support.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Election Integrity
As the 2024 election approaches, Lyons emphasized RITE’s commitment to addressing left-wing efforts to normalize non-citizen votes in both blue and potentially red states. Their ongoing focus encompasses strengthening voter ID laws and signature verification processes, countering what he refers to as misleading narratives regarding voter disenfranchisement.
Conclusion: A Stronger Electoral Foundation
Lyons concluded with a conviction that RITE has successfully contributed to enhancing the security of elections in America, declaring, “I think today we can believe, and we can have confidence, and we can be proud of the fact that they’re a little more secure today than they were two years ago and four years ago.” By aligning with broader coalitions dedicated to preserving electoral integrity, RITE aims to ensure a transparent and trustworthy voting process for future elections.
