The Trump campaign achieved a legal victory in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, after filing a lawsuit regarding alleged voter suppression during early voting. The campaign claimed that officials closed voter lines hours before the deadline, preventing many residents from applying for mail-in ballots in person. The Bucks County Court of Common Pleas ruled in favor of the Trump campaign, extending early voting hours to accommodate those affected.
The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday night against the Bucks County Board of Elections, asserting that voters were “turned away” while attempting to apply for mail-in ballots at local election offices. According to the 21-page filing, security personnel reportedly forced voters to leave the premises, violating Pennsylvania’s election code. The Trump campaign sought an extension of the original deadline, set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, to allow in-person mail-in ballot requests until the end of the day on Wednesday, as reported by ABC News. On Tuesday, voters experienced wait times of up to three hours, and according to the lawsuit, those still in line at 5 p.m. were instructed to leave.
The legal action received support from various Republican organizations and figures, including the Republican National Committee, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, and Senate candidate David McCormick. The lawsuit included signed declarations from three voters who claimed they were removed from long lines by security officials, asserting that the abrupt closures violated their right to vote.
James Blair, political director of the Trump 2024 campaign, promptly shared the news of the victory on social media. “We just won our lawsuit in Bucks County for extended early voting through Friday at 5:00 PM. Thank you to the court for making the right decision and for finding that Bucks County violated the Pennsylvania election code and providing the requested relief,” he wrote. “This is a direct violation of Pennsylvanians’ rights to cast their ballot — and all voters have a right to STAY in line,” the Trump campaign said in a statement earlier. Unlike some states, Pennsylvania does not permit early voting on voting machines at polling locations.
Despite varying reports on social media, the county affirmed that anyone in line by 5 p.m. to request an on-demand mail-in ballot will be allowed to do so.“Contrary to what is being depicted on social media, if you are in line by 5 p.m. for an on-demand mail-in ballot application, you will have the opportunity to submit your application for a mail-in ballot,” confirmed the county in a statement. However, the county did recognize some “miscommunication” from officials on site.
Bucks County voters have historically played a crucial role in Pennsylvania’s election outcomes, making the county’s handling of voting procedures particularly significant. As Pennsylvania is widely viewed as a must-win state for both major party candidates, legal disputes over voting access are expected to continue in the final days leading up to the election.
