Fox News Politics: Just one more sleep ’til Election Day
Happy Election Eve! Welcome to the Fox News’ Politics newsletter, with the latest political news from Washington, D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. HOW TO WATCH: Tune-in on Election Night for special Democracy ’24 election coverage. Here’s what’s happening… – Iowa poll shows Democrats in a position to flip 2 GOP House seats – On Election Eve, Harris and Trump hold dueling rallies in the biggest of the battlegrounds – Eight states will vote on measures that would explicitly ban noncitizens from voting Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has suggested that if Democrats sweep the 2024 elections, they will control the nation for a century. He predicted that if Democrats win both chambers of Congress and the White House, they will eliminate the filibuster in the Senate, add justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, grant Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico statehood, and establish federal control over elections, redistricting, and campaigns. “Day 1: Nuke the filibuster,” Lee wrote on X. “Day 2: Pack SCOTUS. Day 3: Make DC & PR states. Day 4: Enact federal takeover of elections/redistricting/campaigns. Days 5 – 36,500: Rule America uncontested for 100 years.”…Read more WHERE’S JOE?: First Lady stumps in key battleground state while Biden remains absent from the campaign trail…Read more ‘AMERICA, YOU OWE US’: Harris’ radical pastor could be key player in reparations push if she becomes president…Read more ‘ANOTHER FAILURE’: VP Harris ripped by sheriff for refusing to reveal her vote on anti-crime measure in home state…Read more GAFFE TRAIL: Biden absent from campaign trail in home state after viral ‘smack’ gaffe…Read more BATTLE FOR THE GAVEL: NRCC chair reveals the two most crucial states in the race for the House majority…Read more ‘WHAT A DISGRACE’: Trump taunts McConnell’s endorsement as GOP Senate leader race looms…Read more MIXED SIGNALS: Schumer suggests Nebraska independent candidate would caucus with Democrats…Read more ‘DECREPIT, CORRUPT’: Trump campaign blasts Pelosi as ‘corrupt’ and ‘decrepit’ after she claims Trump’s brain is ‘deteriorating’…Read more CRUZ ON OFFENSE: Texas senators slams Mitch McConnell as ‘one-man dictator’ after Super PAC abandons him in tight reelection race…Read more BEHIND-THE-SCENES BATTLES: Legal challenges that could impact the vote before Election Day begins…Read more ‘PAINSTAKING PROCESS’: Pa. county gives update on probe of suspicious batch of voter formsairs…Read more THE WORLD IS WATCHING: What do Latin Americans, Europeans think about Donald Trump, Kamala Harris?…Read more ‘DO NOT VOTE FOR ME’: RFK Jr., on eve of Election Day, tells voters ‘do NOT vote for me’…Read more CONSPICUOUS ABSENCE: Harris didn’t mention Trump’s name during rally for first time as candidate…Read more ‘EXPANDING THE MAP’: Trump campaign ‘expanding the map,’ Vance says in New Hampshire…Read more EARLY VOTING SURGE: Over 77M voters have cast ballots in 2024 election…Read more HOWARD KURTZ: Trump camp confident, while Black leaders say Harris is struggling…Read more THIRD TIME’S A CHARM: Trump to continue swing state tradition in final campaign event of 2024….Read more FREQUENT FLYERS: Trump, Harris have visited these states the most heading into Election Day…Read more CHANGING RACE: Harris’ late surge in betting odds fueled by outlier poll, but Trump still ‘slightly favored’…Read more WHERE THE RACE STANDS: Harris leads Trump by 4 nationally as both candidates narrow gender gap, poll finds…Read more DEMOCRACY ’24: Alaska, Iowa, Montana, 7 other states end early in-person voting on Monday…Read more ‘DOESN’T SEEM TO GET IT’: Missouri Republicans launch suit to ban feds from monitoring polling sites…Read more NORTH CAROLINA SHOWDOWN: Trump leads Harris by 2% in North Carolina heading into Election Day, poll finds…Read more ‘COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS’: Government, private businesses erect barricades in preparation for Election Day…Read more THROWING HANDS: Head of US Central Command being investigated for getting physical with an airman on plane to Israel…Read more LIBERTY BELLWETHERS: Five Pennsylvania counties to watch on election night…Read more ‘ONSLAUGHT OF CRIMINALS’: Trump threatens a 25% tariff on Mexico if illegal border crossings don’t stop…Read more There will be no Fox News Politics newsletter tomorrow due to our ongoing election coverage. Check in here for Election Night special coverage for the 2024 US Presidential election. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Biden-Harris EPA funding ‘radical, left-leaning’ environmental groups calling to end fossil fuels: report
The Biden-Harris administration is being put on blast for giving billions of taxpayer dollars to fund “radical, left-leaning” environmental groups that seek to eradicate fossil fuels, according to a new House report. The House Energy and Commerce Committee dropped a report “exposing the green group giveaway” by the Biden administration on Monday, breaking down the Environmental Protection Agency’s funding for environmental and climate justice grants. The EPA received $41 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. The agency allocated $2.8 billion from the funds to be managed by the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR), which, according to the report, is “using taxpayer dollars to promote the Biden-Harris radical energy agenda.” “The Biden-Harris administration is seemingly using environmental justice grants to funnel public funds towards organizations that promote its policies and galvanize political support for its actions,” the report reads. “Enriching nonprofit organizations to spread radical, left-leaning ideology is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars. These programs demand rigorous scrutiny and meticulous oversight.” TRUCKING GROUPS, FARMERS FILE OPENING BRIEF IN LAWSUIT AGAINST EPA: ‘UNWORKABLE MANDATE’ The EPA reportedly funneled the money out to several different environmental groups actively advocating for a rapid transition to green energy. About $50 million was awarded to the Climate Justice Alliance, a group which has called for ending the use of fossil fuels. The group is “engaged in local, state and national work on a wide range of issues from racial justice, energy democracy, food sovereignty, and zero waste.” The CJA also focuses on the “social, racial, economic and environmental justice issues of climate change,” according to their website. Another funding recipient is the Delaware Valley Citizens Council for Clean Air, who want to “phase out fracking,” “make biking, walking, transit, and electric vehicles the primary” sources of transportation, and prioritize ending pollution in “environmental justice communities.” The Southern Poverty Law Center said they are “working with Congress and the Biden administration to ensure a permanent ban on offshore drilling.” SUPREME COURT TO ALLOW BIDEN ADMIN POWER PLANT CLIMATE STANDARDS TO REMAIN IN PLACE – FOR NOW Another group, BlocPower, works to “decarbonize buildings by replacing fossil fuel-burning appliances with modern, all-electric equipment.” About $10 million was also awarded to West Harlem Environmental Action, Incorporated (WE ACT), which is prioritizing “fighting liquified natural gas and false solution infrastructure.” “These policy priorities frequently mirror the radical rush-to-green energy policies that the Biden-Harris administration has pushed,” the report reads. “Some of these selectees promote clear political positions and ideologies, despite claiming to be nonpartisan. Some have embraced obstructionist tactics to undermine energy projects and industries they oppose.” The report also raised concerns over the agency’s ability to properly manage billions of dollars and prevent the misuse of funds. Additionally, concerns were raised over the “vague or open-ended description” of how the groups can use the funds. The taxpayer-funded grants given to these groups can be used for “public outreach” or “public education.” The report claims that this allows the groups to participate in something “akin to a taxpayer-funded lobbying operation” as they are given space to “influence public and elected officials to adopt their often-extreme views.” The EPA responded to the report in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. “All eligible applications submitted for EPA funding go through a rigorous competitive process,” the EPA said. “EPA takes program integrity very seriously and will continue delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s environmental justice goals in a robust and transparent manner. EPA has multiple safeguards in place to ensure grant activities are fully compliant with grant commitments and the laws Congress has directed EPA to implement.”
Here’s what you need to know when polls close in battleground states on Election Day
When the polls officially open across the country on Election Day, residents who have yet to cast their votes in the seven key swing states are allowed different times when they can visit a polling place. Each swing state also has a different process for when they are allowed to start counting votes, whether that be prior to or on Election Day, a major factor in the time it takes for results to be finalized. The polls will open at 6 a.m. MST on Tuesday in the Grand Canyon State. Voters will have until 7 p.m. to cast their ballots, according to the Arizona secretary of state. REPUBLICANS CUT INTO DEM VOTER REGISTRATION ADVANTAGE IN CRUCIAL SWING STATE AS EARLY VOTE WRAPS UP Ballots cast before Election Day can immediately be counted by election officials upon when they are received in an effort to help speed up the voting process. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. EST. However, those in line by 7 p.m. can still cast their ballots. Election officials can begin processing ballots during the state’s early voting period. Voters in Nevada will have from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to cast their ballots on Election Day. THE KEY TO VICTORY IN BATTLEGROUND STATES COULD LIE IN THE ‘MARGINS,’ NATIONAL REVIEW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SAYS Nevada election officials can start counting ballots 15 days before Election Day. However, ballots postmarked on Election Day can be counted four days after the election on Nov. 5, which could draw out the state’s voting process. Voters in the Old North State can visit polling places from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST on Election Day. Election officials cannot start officially tabulating ballots until Nov. 5. The State Board of Elections anticipates that about 98% of all ballots cast in the election will be counted by the end of election night. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. However, those in line at the time the polls close will still be allowed to cast their votes. Officials cannot begin counting ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day, which could result in several days of vote counting. In 2020, it took several days for Pennsylvania to call the state for President Biden. Voters in Michigan can hit the polls from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST on Election Day. Election officials can start tabulating mail ballots on Oct. 28. Election workers cannot start counting ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day. The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. CST. Election officials cannot start counting ballots until Election Day.
Pennsylvania judge allows Elon Musk’s PAC to continue $1M a day giveaway
A Pennsylvania judge is allowing Elon Musk’s America PAC to continue their $1 million a day contest through Nov. 5, according to a ruling on Monday. The ruling by Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta comes after it was revealed during court proceedings that the contest’s winners are not randomly selected. “The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance,” America PAC attorney Chris Gober said in court on Monday. “We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow.” NIKKI HALEY PENS SUPPORTIVE OP-ED IN FAVOR OF TRUMP AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY: ‘EASY CALL’ The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a breaking news situation. Check back with us for updates.
Trump, Harris focus on the future of America in closing ads of 2024 presidential campaigns
Vice President Harris and former President Trump dropped the last ads of their 2024 presidential campaigns — both focusing their final pitch to voters on the “people.” Harris’s ad focused on issues and a new generation of leadership, while Trump partnered with several of his most prominent teammates, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk, to make the closing statement. Trump’s final ad featured not only his own narration, but those of all the top political figures who were key players throughout his campaign. “What will we do with this moment? How will we be remembered? Look at the opportunities before us,” Trump said in the opening of his closing ad. TRUMP, HARRIS CAMPAIGNS MAKE FINAL PLAYS AS NATION SITS BARELY ONE DAY FROM ELECTION DAY The video then turns to Democrat-turned Republican Tulsi Gabbard, who says, “This election really isn’t about the left versus the right. It’s about we the people, choosing our government and the choice between freedom versus tyranny.” “Nobody has a chronic disease burden like we have. Why are we allowing this to happen to our children?” former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says. “Ultimately, the only thing that will save our country is if we choose to love our kids more than we hate each other.” The ad also heard from Nicole Shanahan, RFK Jr.’s former running mate and a former Democrat voter. Vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Tesla CEO Elon Musk were also featured in Trump’s final pitch to voters. MAJOR POLLSTER DROPS FINAL BATTLEGROUND POLL NUMBERS “The people dreamed this country,” Trump said. “And it’s the people who are making america great again.” Harris’ ad, titled “Brighter Future,” opened with clips of her talking with voters on the campaign trail before she begins speaking about different issues frequently highlighted throughout her campaign. “Throughout this campaign, I’ve seen the best of America, and I’ve seen what is holding you back and weighing you down,” Harris said. “High costs, fundamental rights taken away, and politics that have driven fear and division. You deserve better. As president, I’ll bring a new generation of leadership.” The advertisement played a segment from her closing argument speech in front of the White House. “The vast majority of people in our country have so much more in common than what separates them. Good people, hardworking people. We see in our fellow Americans, neighbors, not enemies,” she continued. “Together, we’ll build a brighter future for our nation.” Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Georgia absentee ballot ruling provides legal victory for RNC on eve of election
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled Monday that absentee ballots that were mailed late to voters in Cobb County will only be counted if they arrive back to election officials by Election Day, sparking GOP leadership to take a victory lap. “HUGE election integrity victory in Georgia. Democrat-run Cobb County wanted to accept 3,000 absentee ballots AFTER the Election Day deadline. We took this case to the Georgia Supreme Court,” RNC chair Michael Whatley posted to X on Monday. “We just got word that we WON the case. Election Day is Election Day – not the week after. We will keep fighting, keep winning, and keep sharing updates,” he added. Last week, it was revealed that about 3,000 absentee ballots were mailed late to voters in Cobb County, with just days to spare ahead of Election Day. A county judge ruled on Nov. 1 that the Cobb County Board of Elections could count the ballots if they arrived by 5 p.m. Nov. 8, and were postmarked by 7 p.m. Nov. 5. BEHIND-THE-SCENES BATTLES: LEGAL CHALLENGES THAT COULD IMPACT THE VOTE BEFORE ELECTION DAY BEGINS On Monday, the state’s Supreme Court granted an emergency motion ruling that ballots will only be counted if they are received by 7 p.m. Tuesday. “Consistent with OCGA § 21-2-386, the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration (the ‘Board’) may count only those absentee ballots received by the statutory deadline of 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 5, 2024.” the order reads. ARIZONA HIGH COURT RULES SECRETARY OF STATE MUST TURN OVER LIST OF NONCITIZENS ON VOTER ROLL REPUBLICANS SCORE VICTORY IN GEORGIA FIGHT OVER ELECTION OBSERVERS, RNC CHAIRMAN SAYS The ruling comes after the ACLU, ACLU of Georgia, and Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit last week regarding roughly 3,000 voters in Cobb County who did not receive absentee ballots. A Superior Court judge subsequently ordered election officials to overnight mail the delayed absentee ballots, and ruled that the ballots should be counted if they are received by Nov. 8. The ACLU lamented the state Supreme Court ruling on Monday, and urged “all affected voters to prioritize voting in person on Election Day, November 5, 2024, if at all possible.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “This afternoon, the Georgia Supreme Court denied relief for Cobb County voters who requested absentee ballots on time but did not receive them on time due to the county’s failure to mail them promptly. The lower court had ruled that an extension of the absentee receipt deadline was necessary in order to protect these voters’ constitutional right to vote, but the Georgia Supreme Court stayed that ruling, removing the relief that the lower court had ordered. The November 8 extension deadline that the earlier order had issued is no longer in effect,” the ACLU said in a statement. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Ohio Secretary of State says Biden admin, leftist groups are pushing back on voter roll audits
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose detailed efforts by the Biden-Harris administration and liberal groups to push back on audits of voter rolls across the country ahead of Election Day. LaRose highlighted his own lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aimed at forcing the administration to share data he says would help identify non-citizens who are registered to vote. The ACLU and other left-leaning groups have also challenged efforts to clean up voter rolls in Ohio and other states. “It should come as no surprise that the irresponsible Biden-Harris administration, who has thrown open the doors on the southern border; who has allowed our nation to be invaded in many ways… are also not allowing me as an election official to access data to prove that only American citizens are able to vote,” LaRose said. “It’s shocking, and they left me no choice but to sue them,” he added. NONPARTISAN WATCHDOG RELEASES REPORT OUTLINING TOP ELECTION SECURITY THREATS FOR 2024: ‘A LOT CAN GO SIDEWAYS’ The lawsuit claims there were four instances in which Ohio’s requests for access to federal Person Centric Query Service (PCQS) and Central Index System 2 (CIS2) records were ignored or denied. “On October 10, 2024, nearly three months after first requesting assistance, Secretary LaRose received a response from DHS. The letter claimed that Ohio’s access to the SAVE program was sufficient—despite Ohio’s previous letters explaining why SAVE is largely useless here because Ohio lacks the identifiers needed to find specific individuals in SAVE,” the lawsuit reads. Ohio’s ongoing search for wrongful voter registrations relies on analysis and cross-checks against records provided by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the DHS Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, the Social Security Administration, federal jury pool data and other resources. HARRIS REPEATS DEBUNKED CLAIM TRUMP WANTS TO ‘BAN’ ABORTION While LaRose’s office can access the SAVE database, states using it have to pay $1.50 for each query for records, and finding the information required to properly search the data is cumbersome, LaRose says. The PCQS data the Biden administration has declined to share would provide a more comprehensive picture of whether any non-citizens remain registered to vote in Ohio, LaRose says. When reached for comment by Fox News Digital, a DHS spokesperson said they are “engaged with Ohio and will continue to correspond with them directly through official channels.” The DHS also pushed back on LaRose claim that the additional federal data would be helpful. “A manual review of hundreds of thousands of records by the PCQS only allows users to submit one query at a time and would still not lead to a definitive result. Moreover, it would not be an efficient or accurate way to verify U.S. citizenship,” the DHS said. CNN COMMENTATOR SCORCHES DEMS BLAMING TRUMP AT DNC: ‘SHE’S IN THE WHITE HOUSE RIGHT NOW’ “PCQS returns aggregated results across many different immigration systems for a single query at a time. Use of PCQS would require manual review of the results in each case to determine immigration status, as the systems may return disparate or conflicting results. As such, PCQS is not an option for state and local agencies to use for voter verification purpose,” it added. LaRose went on to detail efforts by liberal groups to block the removal of registrations. “Just yesterday we won a major lawsuit in federal court where the ACLU sued me – this sounds like something that’s in the Babylon Bee – they sued me to say that we should accept non-citizen ID cards and then just allow people to vote without any citizenship verification.” “Thankfully, common sense prevailed and the ACLU lost that. Of course, if your state-issued driver’s license says ‘non-citizen’ on it, we’re not going to simply hand you a ballot. We’re gonna ask for you to verify your citizenship,” he added. The ACLU’s lawsuit pertained to naturalized citizens attempting to vote with an ID that labeled them a non-citizen due to it being obtained prior to their naturalization. The ACLU argued such citizens should be able to affirm their naturalization on a government document at the polling site, while LaRose argued such an individual must provide their naturalization documents before casting a ballot. “Requiring naturalized citizens to bring additional documentation to verify their eligibility to vote is not only burdensome and discriminatory, it’s unlawful,” Freda Levenson, legal director of the ACLU of Ohio, said of the suit. A federal judge sided with LaRose on the issue last week. LaRose added that the Justice Department has also sued states for attempting to remove bad registrations. Such DOJ lawsuits accuse state officials of violating the federally mandated “quiet period” that prohibits the systematic removal of registered voters within 90 days of Election Day. The DOJ sued Virginia earlier in October in exactly this fashion, though the Supreme Court sided with state officials in a ruling last week.
Harris makes last-ditch appeal to Michigan’s Muslim voters
Vice President Kamala Harris made a last-minute appeal to Muslim voters in the swing state of Michigan, a group that continues to express anger over the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict in Gaza. “I want to say this year has been difficult given the scale of death and destruction in Gaza and given the civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon, it is devastating,” Harris said Sunday at a rally in Michigan. “And as president, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza, to bring home the hostages, end the suffering in Gaza, ensure Israel is secure, and ensure the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, security and self-determination.” The remarks came just over a week after multiple Muslim leaders from Michigan joined former President Trump on stage during a rally in Novi, Michigan, to express their support for him, with Trump boasting that he was “thrilled to accept the endorsement of these highly respected leaders.” TRUMP EARNS ENDORSEMENT FROM ‘HIGHLY RESPECTED’ MUSLIM LEADERS IN BATTLEGROUND STATE Imam Belal Alzuhairi and Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi were among the group of four Muslim leaders to officially endorse Trump on stage, boasting about the former president’s ability to avoid international conflicts. “We, as Muslims, stand with President Trump because he promises peace, not war!” Alzuhairi said during his remarks. “The bloodshed has to stop all over the world, and I think this man can make that happen. I personally believe that God saved his life twice for a reason.” During her rally Sunday, Harris said she was “joined today by leaders of the Arab American community,” though the leaders did not join her on stage and it is unclear which leaders she was referring to. ‘KIND OF DISGUSTING’: HARRIS MAKES MOVE THAT COULD BACKFIRE IN CRITICAL SWING STATE The rally also took place on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, which is located nearly 90 miles northwest of Dearborn, a city with the nation’s highest per capita Muslim population, which has been at the center of resistance to her campaign. The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment. A large percentage of Michigan’s Muslim population, which in recent years has been a dependable Democratic voting bloc, has spent much of 2024 resisting the party’s presidential candidates. During the state’s primary campaign, a movement to “Abandon Biden” over the president’s handling of the conflict in Gaza led to over 100,000 Michigan residents voting “uncommitted” in place of supporting his bid for re-election. That movement has since bled over to Harris’ campaign, a reality Trump has tried to capitalize on while pushing a message of ending ongoing wars overseas and bringing peace and stability to the world. That message has seemingly appealed to some Michigan Muslim leaders. “We’re going to stop the wars, we’re going to make the United States safe again, and we’re going to make the world safe,” Bazzi said during his remarks in Novi. “What a nice endorsement,” Trump said after Bazzi’s speech. “These are great people.” Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Arizona county defends restoring 98,000 with unconfirmed citizenship to voter rolls
The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office is standing by its choice to restore voter registration status of individuals affected by a glitch that impacted 218,000 voters. “Maricopa County did not receive a complete list from the Secretary of State’s Office regarding who may have been impacted by the MVD data oversight,” the Recorder’s Office said in a statement to Fox News in part. “However, if impacted voters submitted a new voter registration form after the oversight was found, they appeared in our system as needing to provide DPOC upon their new registration form being processed. These voters were contacted individually to let them know their registration was incomplete. However, after further consideration, the decision was made to fully restore those voters from the not registered status, only if they were previously an existing, registered voter,” the statement read. ARIZONA HIGH COURT RULES SECRETARY OF STATE MUST TURN OVER LIST OF NONCITIZENS ON VOTER ROLL Now, these voters can participate in the upcoming election as they did before, the recorder’s office said. “Additionally, we know roughly 2,000 voters who were impacted in the MVD data oversight submitted voter registration updates and some of those may have been contacted about providing DPOC,” the statement read. The county recorder added, “but since then, regardless of if they have provided that additional information, they have since been restored their original status for this election.” Arizona’s high court ruled last Thursday the county must provide a conservative watchdog group with a list of noncitizens currently registered to vote after a lawsuit was lobbed against the county last year. During an evidentiary hearing, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes testified that a system error had affected approximately 218,000 registered voters, the court document states. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ON VOTER ROLLS SPURS WATCHDOG GROUP TO SUE MARICOPA COUNTY The order notes that Fontes acknowledged having a partial list of about 98,000 voters who have not confirmed their proof of citizenship but stated that no complete list of all 218,000 affected voters exists. Fontes attributed a government press release’s mention of a complete list to “hasty drafting” and unclear language. He also claimed that the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) had not provided him with any list containing personal information for the additional voters potentially lacking sufficient documentation. However, the court concluded his testimony was inconsistent; Fontes initially denied possessing the list of 98,000 voters before amending his statement. “His testimony suggested that he lacked detailed familiarity with the AZSOS’s [Arizona Secretary of State] efforts with regard to the issue and with regard to the records in the possession of the AZSOS related to the 218,000 individuals,” the court document states. The decision comes after AFL filed suit on behalf of the nonprofit group Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona and Yvonne Cahill, a registered voter and naturalized citizen in Maricopa County. IN ARIZONA SPEECH, VANCE SAYS NEXT PRESIDENT MUST PUT AMERICANS FIRST, SLAMS FEMA MONEY FOR MIGRANTS AFL had previously given Maricopa County one week to address the alleged noncitizens on its voter rolls. The lawsuit claims that, as of April 2024, more than 35,000 registered voters in Arizona had not provided proof of citizenship, limiting them to voting only in federal races, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, through his attorney, stated that he would not take any action, “citing, among other things, concerns for the safety of voters, and concerns about the accuracy of the list,” and claimed his office is already complying with the law, the Arizona high court document read. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Republicans sue Milwaukee over late-game limits on poll watchers
The Republican National Committee announced Monday that it filed a lawsuit against the Milwaukee Election Commission over a city plan to cap the number of poll watchers allowed on Election Day in certain precincts. The RNC stated that the plan, announced over the weekend, could limit poll observers to just one Democrat and one Republican in certain precincts, which the lawsuit claims violates state law. “Defendant Milwaukee Elections Commission has been arbitrarily limiting and prohibiting members of the public from observing all aspects of the voting process at polling locations in the City of Milwaukee,” the complaint states, accusing the commission of violating Wis. Stat. § 7.41, which says that “observation areas shall be so positioned” in polling sites “to permit any election observer to readily observe all aspects of the voting process.” “Wisconsin voters deserve to know that there are poll watchers from both parties in the room as votes are being cast and counted on Election Day,” RNC Chairman Michael Whatley and Co-Chair Lara Trump said in a joint statement. “The RNC has not recruited and trained thousands of volunteers in the Badger State simply to back down from misguided officials who want to prevent a full measure of poll-watching transparency. This lawsuit will compel officials in Milwaukee to ensure robust poll watcher access for the Republican Party.” MILLIONS OF VOTERS HAVE ALREADY CAST BALLOTS FOR NOV. 5 ELECTION The RNC noted in a press release that Milwaukee has yet to state which precincts will face limits on poll watchers, but the complaint points to certain specific sites where “the number of observers allowed was arbitrarily limited during in-person early voting[.]” One location, the complaint notes, was Serb Hall, a venue that they claim is “designed to serve up to 2,000 patrons at one time,” but only had two poll watchers permitted. ON ELECTION EVE, HARRIS AND TRUMP HOLD DUELING RALLIES IN THE BIGGEST OF THE BATTLEGROUNDS “Interest in this election is at unprecedented levels in American history, as that has generated corresponding interest in observing the voting process in the City of Milwaukee,” the lawsuit states, noting that the restrictions do not just affect them and their opponents, but outside groups, which they say would be barred from watching. “[S]everal large nonprofit organizations interested in suffrage issues such as the ACLU and the League of Women Voters have all expressed interest in observing election processes in Milwaukee,” the complaint continues, further asserting that according to social media, there are “unprecedented levels of excitement and interest in observing the voting process in the City of Milwaukee by independent groups and individual citizens.” The commission, however, took issue with the lawsuit and its allegations, denying that they are “arbitrarily” limiting poll watchers. “The City of Milwaukee favors the greatest possible transparency during elections. That includes accommodating all observers at election locations,” the commission said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “The Milwaukee Election Commission (MEC) refutes the claims made by the RNC,” the statement continued. “Despite the MEC maintaining open communications with the RNC, including meeting as recently as last night, it seems that filing a lawsuit was their goal all along. The MEC denies the allegation that observers will be arbitrarily limited. However, observers may be subject to reasonable limitations, a power given to chief inspectors under Wisconsin law. At no point was the Republican Party denied the presence of an observer during the in-person absentee voting period, nor will they be denied that presence on Election Day.” The lawsuit seeks a restraining order and an injunction against the commission that keeps them from “precluding or restricting observers representing the Plaintiff and other members of the public” from poll watching, and a declaration that the commission violated state law.