See video👉Click here
A group aligned with former President Donald Trump, which has previously filed lawsuits challenging voter registration lists in key states, is now preparing to challenge the results of this year’s elections, a founder of the group told USA TODAY. "We feel compelled to file in defense of this beautiful country," said Marly Hornik, co-founder of United Sovereign Americans, founded in 2023. "We’re already seeing signs and numbers suggesting errors in the process."
The organization, which identifies as nonpartisan, often works with Bruce Castor, a former Trump lawyer in his impeachment trial following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Through lawsuits from both United Sovereign Americans and various Republican groups, allegations of widespread voter fraud are implied, although no evidence has been provided.
These claims echo former President Trump’s unfounded assertion that he did not lose the 2020 election, which critics worry could foreshadow similar allegations if he loses again. Several recounts and audits confirmed President Joe Biden’s win in 2020, and nearly all of more than 60 lawsuits challenging that election failed in court.
"The people seeking to disrupt the election want to spread a false narrative that the process is deeply flawed. It isn’t," said Justin Levitt, a law professor at Loyola Marymount University who specializes in election law, in an interview with USA TODAY.
Hornik stated the group intends to request independent audits of the 2024 election and might file lawsuits before certification but likely after initial results are reported by states or the media. She said they are still considering if filing prior to results being called would be considered premature by courts.
United Sovereign Americans has filed lawsuits this year in nine states, alleging widespread errors in voter registration data that could suggest fraud. In Pennsylvania, for example, the group claims there are about 3.2 million errors in the state’s 8.8 million registered voters, questioning the credibility of the state’s 2022 midterm results. The organization argues that such errors violate federal laws, including the National Voter Registration Act and the Help America Vote Act.
Pennsylvania officials countered that the group’s complaints about paperwork dates are unfounded and irrelevant to the laws they cite, explaining that these laws are meant to protect voting rights rather than restrict them.
These lawsuits form part of a larger pattern of legal challenges aimed at state voter rolls, many of which have been dismissed for lack of evidence of actual fraud. An Associated Press review of 2020 election fraud cases in disputed states found fewer than 475 cases out of 25.5 million ballots cast for president, which did not impact the outcome in any state. Additionally, former Attorney General Bill Barr stated in December 2020 that the Justice Department found no evidence of fraud affecting the results.
Some believe these legal challenges are attempts to undermine public confidence in election integrity, especially as they are often filed close to election dates. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, suggested that this pattern could pave the way for unfounded claims of election theft in the future.
Hornik, however, argues that any doubt cast by her organization’s lawsuits stems from flaws in the election system itself, noting that most of the group’s lawsuits were filed in August and September.
Looking ahead, Hornik expressed interest in pushing for audits independent of state officials, saying previous concerns were ignored. She hinted that their legal challenges in 2024 may go beyond voter registration issues, citing an example from Texas where she alleged that early voting machines failed certification tests—a claim the Texas Secretary of State’s office refuted, stating that all machines meet certification standards.
While Hornik claimed the lawsuits are not about any particular candidate and would be filed regardless of whether Trump wins, she admitted that the group’s capacity to pursue cases depends on available resources.
Since its founding, United Sovereign Americans has filed lawsuits challenging voter rolls in various states, including Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Michigan, Colorado, North Carolina, Florida, and Ohio.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the 2020 election in Maricopa County, Arizona, where Trump’s claims of fraud led to a chaotic recount that confirmed Biden’s win, Hornik stressed her group’s aim is not to create such turmoil again. Instead, she suggested that voters could be asked to verify their identities or address any clerical errors before their votes are counted.
"People can come in, show ID, and verify their information if flagged," she said.
No comments: