What to know about Republican challenges to overseas and military voting

What to know about Republican challenges to overseas and military voting toggle caption Allison Joyce/Getty Images In the final weeks before Election Day, Republican groups have filed lawsuits in the swing states of Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania that challenge the validity of ballots cast by U.S. citizens living abroad, including members of the U.S. military. They argue that Pennsylvania’s election rules — which do not require eligible overseas voters to show identification when registering or, if voting for the first time in a federal election in the state, turn in a copy of their ID with their absentee ballot — skirt identity verification requirements for voters registered by mail under a federal law known as the Help America Vote Act. It seems like they’re trying to raise questions rather than answer them.” Sponsor Message During a hearing last week in the Michigan lawsuit, Judge Sima Patel of the state's Court of Claims said the RNC’s “biggest hurdle” is bringing this case weeks after election officials started sending out ballots to UOCAVA voters. And I certainly hope that’s not the case, but I fear that it may be.” Sponsor Message While the main federal law about overseas voting is usually associated with the military, a survey by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission shows that uniformed service members made up about 42% of registered UOCAVA voters in 2020. In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said Austin “believes that service members serving overseas, eligible family members and U.S. citizens overseas have the right to vote, and DOD will continue to work to help them do so.” In court filings for all three lawsuits, the Republican groups have asked the courts to at least order election officials to set aside the returned ballots of UOCAVA voters and not count them in the final election results until the voters’ eligibility can be confirmed.