A federal judge in Pennsylvania recently presided over a hearing where he posed challenging questions to the attorney representing several Republican members of Congress who have filed a lawsuit regarding the vetting process for overseas ballots in the state. While a decision was not reached during the hearing, the judge's inquiries indicated a level of skepticism towards the lawsuit's validity.
The judge specifically questioned why the House GOP lawmakers waited until so close to the 2024 election to seek a court order that would segregate overseas ballots for additional verification, especially considering that the existing procedures have been in place for years. The lawsuit, brought by representatives Mike Kelly and Scott Perry, alleges that the current processing methods for applications from overseas citizens in Pennsylvania pose a risk of unverified votes being counted.
This legal dispute is part of a series of lawsuits centered around overseas ballots, which hold significance for both political parties due to their association with US military personnel stationed abroad. Overseas ballots have traditionally been viewed as crucial and have recently been favoring Democrats, potentially playing a pivotal role in Vice President Kamala Harris's electoral prospects.
On the other side of the argument, attorneys representing Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt criticized the lawsuit, asserting that there is no substantiated evidence to suggest that the ballots are not being adequately verified.
