The Republican National Committee (RNC) achieved a major victory for election integrity after a dispute over poll watcher access was resolved in a crucial swing state on Election Day. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley celebrated the outcome, emphasizing its importance for ensuring transparency and fairness in elections. The controversy arose when Republican poll watchers were denied entry to polling sites in eight Pennsylvania counties, including Philadelphia—a critical area in the 2024 election where both parties are actively campaigning to secure Black and Latino voters.
In a post on X, Whatley explained the situation: “Early this morning, we learned that Republican poll watchers in Philadelphia, York, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Lehigh, Cambria, Wyoming, and Lackawanna Counties were being turned away.” The RNC swiftly mobilized its “roving attorneys” to engage with local election officials. By the end of the day, they had successfully negotiated entry for all Republican poll watchers, allowing them to monitor the voting process firsthand.
Pennsylvania has strict guidelines for poll watchers to ensure that only qualified individuals are present at polling sites. Poll watchers must be registered voters within the county where they’re observing, obtain credentials in advance, and carry a certificate proving their eligibility on Election Day. Once inside, they can inspect voter lists and make challenges if they believe there has been an error, such as issuing a ballot to an ineligible voter. However, some voters—like newly registered individuals or those who recently moved—are required to present identification, adding another layer of scrutiny that poll watchers may observe.
Whatley reiterated the RNC’s dedication to protecting the rights of Republican poll watchers in a state that could be decisive in the upcoming presidential election. “We will keep fighting, keep winning, and keep sharing updates,” he vowed, underscoring the RNC’s commitment to election integrity.
Meanwhile, preliminary numbers from Pennsylvania’s mail-in voting showed unexpected results, with Democrats falling short of their anticipated advantage. While they had hoped to secure a lead of over 50,000 ballots by Monday, the actual margin was just over 2,400. This shift suggests that Republican enthusiasm for mail-in voting could be playing a crucial role in balancing early voting figures. However, the GOP also needs to ensure it doesn’t overshadow its traditional Election Day turnout. The Trump campaign, in particular, is focusing on mobilizing nontraditional voter bases, including low-propensity and minority voters, to further close the gap.
Elsewhere, the RNC also filed a lawsuit against Milwaukee election officials after a late rule change threatened to restrict poll watchers in the area. Over the weekend, the Milwaukee Election Commission imposed a new rule limiting each political party to one observer per polling site. The RNC argues this change violates Wisconsin state law, which mandates that observation areas should be arranged to allow poll watchers to “readily observe all aspects of the voting process.”
The complaint, filed Monday, accuses the Milwaukee Election Commission of limiting public oversight of the election. “The Defendant Milwaukee Elections Commission has been arbitrarily limiting and prohibiting members of the public from observing all aspects of the voting process,” stated RNC attorneys in their filing, citing Wis. Stat. § 7.41, which guarantees adequate visibility of polling sites for observers.
With these legal moves, the RNC aims to ensure that poll watchers can perform their role of ensuring transparency and accuracy in voting. From Pennsylvania to Wisconsin, the RNC’s efforts reflect its commitment to fair elections and the protection of voters’ rights across critical battleground states.