Blue Star Families, Association of Americans Resident Overseas, U.S. Vote Foundation react
A federal judge today told Pennsylvania election officials they could process ballots cast in the 2024 election by members of the military stationed overseas and other voters living abroad. The judge dismissed the claims of six Republican members of Congress from Pennsylvania in Reschenthaler v. Schmidt, who challenged the state’s procedures for determining eligibility of overseas voters and asked for their ballots to be set aside for additional scrutiny before being counted. Lawsuits attempting to disenfranchise overseas voters were also recently dismissed in Michigan and halted in North Carolina.
The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law and co-counsel filed an amicus brief in the case on behalf of the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Blue Star Families, U.S. Vote Foundation, and others. They and co-counsel responded to the ruling as follows:
“The claims in this lawsuit were ludicrous. For decades, federal law has allowed those of us who live overseas to vote, and we have exercised that right without incident. Notably, no evidence of wrongdoing was brought forward. The judge properly dismissed it.” — Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat, president and CEO, U.S. Vote Foundation
“I served in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army, and I can’t tell you how important it was to me to vote in the elections going on back home. It showed that our country remembered us and honored our rights as citizens. Taking that away from any soldier serving abroad would be deeply wrong. Thankfully, the decision today supports Pennsylvanians deployed abroad.” —Timothy Gates, counsel, Myers, Brier & Kelly, LLP
“The judge made the right decision today. But these meritless lawsuits do damage even when they’re not successful in court. Election deniers are using litigation as a tactic to stoke conspiracy theories, undermine confidence in democracy, and create unfounded confusion and doubt on the 2024 election results.” — Lawrence Norden, vice president of the Elections and Government Program, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law
“It’s hard to believe anyone would interfere with our troops and their families living overseas and their right to vote. But that’s what this lawsuit was about. We’re grateful the judge rejected it, ensuring those defending our democracy abroad can take part.” — Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO and Board President of Blue Star Families
“This decision is a great relief for Pennsylvanians living abroad. They can have confidence again that their voices will be heard when they cast their ballots.” — Doris Speer, president of the Association of Americans Resident Overseas
Amici on the brief included American Citizens Abroad, the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Blue Star Families, Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, U.S. Vote Foundation, and seven individual overseas voters. The law firms O’Melveny & Myers LLP and Myers Brier & Kelley LLP are co-counsel on the brief along with the Brennan Center for Justice.
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