The RNC has filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, accusing the county of violating state election laws by issuing mail-in ballots without completing necessary pre-election testing. The lawsuit alleges that the county began distributing ballots on September 17, even though logic and accuracy (L&A) testing, which is required by Pennsylvania’s Election Code, had not been conducted.
L&A testing is designed to ensure that voting machines, ballots, and other election equipment are properly configured. The process helps identify and correct any errors in ballot layout, party identification, and tabulation before voters cast their ballots. The RNC argues that by distributing ballots without completing this testing, Montgomery County undermined the integrity of the election.
Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija defended the county’s actions, claiming that the voting system is secure and that the early distribution of ballots was necessary to ensure voters could cast their votes on time. Makhija dismissed the lawsuit as an attempt to create confusion and spread distrust in the election process.
The RNC has demanded that Montgomery County halt all mail-in ballot distribution until the required testing is completed. They also called for any ballots already distributed to be segregated and potentially hand-counted to ensure accuracy. The lawsuit highlights concerns about whether Montgomery County followed proper procedures.
As Election Day draws near, the legal challenge between the RNC and Montgomery County underscores the importance of election integrity in a key swing state. With Pennsylvania playing a critical role in the 2024 general election, the outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching consequences.
