Election officials in critical swing states are facing mounting pressure as they prepare for last-minute court rulings that could disrupt voting processes ahead of the November 5 election. One recent example comes from North Carolina, where the state Supreme Court ruled that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name should be removed from the ballot after he ended his US presidential campaign. This sudden decision forced election workers to reprint over 145,000 absentee ballots at an extra cost of $50,000. Across the state, counties faced an estimated $1 million in additional expenses due to the delays caused by the litigation.
Derek Bowens, elections director for Durham County, North Carolina, had to act quickly to implement the court’s ruling. With absentee voting already underway, the disruption put immense strain on local election offices, highlighting the broader challenges election officials face as lawsuits surge in the run-up to Election Day.
Similar situations are unfolding in other battleground states, including Michigan and Georgia, where election directors are closely monitoring legal battles that could impact voting rules. In Michigan, City Clerk Joel Hondorp from Grand Rapids is keeping a close watch on various lawsuits filed by the Republican Party. These suits target absentee ballot handling, voter registration procedures, and poll watcher regulations. While the secretary of state’s office takes the lead in guiding local officials through legal developments, Hondorp notes the need to stay vigilant on his own, even registering for court docket access to track the cases personally.
The situation is equally complex in Georgia, where recent state election board rule changes are being challenged in court. Zach Manifold, elections director for Gwinnett County, Georgia, highlighted the challenges posed by new rules requiring a hand count of ballots in addition to machine tabulations and stricter standards for certifying vote counts. These changes, enacted just weeks before the election, are now the subject of multiple lawsuits.
One lawsuit, brought by the Democratic Party and other challengers, argues that the changes are inconsistent with state law and could result in extended delays or confusion during the post-election period. A judge in Fulton County recently heard arguments on these cases, though it’s unclear when a final ruling will be made or how appeals might unfold in the critical days leading up to the election.
Manifold is preparing his staff for any potential outcomes, ensuring they are ready to adjust procedures as needed. While the late rule changes complicate the situation, Manifold remains focused on keeping his team prepared for whatever comes next. “It’s not an ideal situation,” he admitted, “but we’re ready to make it happen, whatever we’ve got to do.”
Across these swing states, local election officials are grappling with the uncertainty of last-minute legal challenges while also working to ensure a smooth voting process. These court battles underscore the broader tensions around voting rules in key battlegrounds that could have a decisive impact on the outcome of the election.
