In the run-up to the 2024 election, Democrats and Republicans have embarked on a fierce legal feud, with a series of court disputes that could potentially extend past November 5th if the election results are closely contested.

The Republicans have been quick to file more than 100 lawsuits, challenging various aspects of the vote-casting process. Their actions come in the wake of repeated admonishments from judges in 2020 for bringing complaints about the election only after votes had been tallied. Following his false claims of widespread voter fraud, former President Donald Trump made "election integrity" a pivotal point in the GOP's platform. In response, the Republican National Committee has assembled over 165,000 volunteers to monitor the polls.

On the other side, Democrats are responding with their own counteroffensive called "voter protection". They are rushing to court to combat the GOP cases and have put together a formidable team, including over 100 staff members, several hundred lawyers, and thousands of volunteers. Despite the flurry of litigation, these cases have mostly focused on smaller issues, with minimal impact on most voters.

However, the stakes could dramatically increase if Trump were to lose and attempt to overturn the election results, a strategy he pursued in 2020 to no avail. Trump and his allies lost more than 60 lawsuits attempting to reverse President Joe Biden's victory. Experts suggest that the likelihood of successfully overturning the results this year would depend on the margin of victory. A gap of 10,000 votes, similar to the difference between Biden and Trump in Arizona and Georgia in 2020, would be nearly impossible to reverse through litigation. But a closer margin, such as the 547-vote difference in Florida between George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000, could place greater emphasis on court rulings regarding the legitimacy of certain ballots.

Amid concerns over Trump's response to a potential loss, legal experts predict that he will claim victory regardless of the outcome. Trump has consistently stated that he will only accept the election results if he deems them "free and fair". This raises doubts as to whether he would contest the election, perpetuating his unfounded claims of fraud. However, it is important to note that there was no widespread fraud in the 2020 election or any subsequent elections, as both reviews and audits have reaffirmed Biden's victory.

The involvement of key figures in the Republican National Committee further underscores the gravity of the legal battle. Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, has been named co-chair of the RNC, with attorney Christina Bobb leading the election integrity division. However, Bobb faces indictment by Arizona's attorney general for her alleged involvement in promoting a slate of Trump electors in the state, despite Biden's victory.

The Democratic response has been unwavering, with Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign manager, Jen O'Malley Dillon, stating that they have been prepared for such a moment for the past four years. As litigation unfolds, the state of Georgia has emerged as the epicenter of the legal battle, as new rules instituted by a Republican-appointed majority on the State Board of Elections have mirrored Trump's conspiracy theories. Lawsuits have been filed on both sides, with Republicans pushing to grant election board members the power to refuse certification, and Democrats fighting to overturn these new rules. The Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, has expressed reservations about the board changing procedures so close to the election, as the rules conflict with existing state laws that state certification is mandatory.

While concerns have been raised about potential delays or refusals to certify results, experts argue that such fears are overstated, given that most state laws require boards to certify the official results provided by election offices. Nonetheless, the courtroom remains the primary venue for candidates seeking to challenge results.

Beyond the immediate impact, several ongoing lawsuits could have ramifications for future elections if Trump were to lose narrowly. The RNC has filed lawsuits in Michigan, Nevada, and North Carolina, alleging the removal of inactive or ineligible voters from their rolls. These claims have not been successful thus far, but in the event of a close margin, such pre-election litigation could pave the way for Trump to challenge the validity of the vote in court.

Additionally, another issue that could significantly impact the November election and beyond is the question of whether mail-in ballots received after Election Day can be counted. While 19 states allow this provision as long as the ballots are sent before polls close, the RNC has sought to overturn these rules in Nevada and Mississippi. However, both cases have been dismissed by judges. The RNC has appealed these decisions, and the first case is scheduled to be heard by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Experts speculate that this issue could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, reminiscent of the late-arriving mail ballot litigation in the 2020 election.

It is important to note that despite the mounting legal battles, the presumption of widespread voter fraud remains unfounded. As we approach the 2024 election, both parties are intensifying their efforts to secure their positions, signaling a contentious and potentially protracted legal struggle that could shape the outcome of the election and have lasting implications for the future of American democracy.