As the 2024 election draws near, legal battles over election rules are already heating up, with former President Donald Trump’s campaign receiving support from red-state attorneys general. Led by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Republican-led states are pushing arguments in court to potentially shape the outcome of a contested presidential vote or support Trump and the GOP. These arguments include efforts to dismiss mail ballots, weaken protections against racial discrimination, approve gerrymandered district maps, and give state legislatures, not courts, authority over election rules. Experts warn that these efforts could threaten fair elections. The involvement of Republican AGs in electoral cases is part of a growing trend of state attorneys general taking on more politicized roles, especially in the Trump era. AGs were previously seen as apolitical prosecutors, but now play a crucial role in shaping the legal landscape of elections. This politicization has intensified in recent years, with AGs like Marshall venturing into high-stakes national cases and aligning with Trump’s interests. While the danger of outright election subversion has decreased, the likelihood of a contested election settled in the courts remains high. Republican AGs are positioning themselves to provide conservative legal arguments that could impact court decisions and shape public debate. However, democracy advocates warn that these tactics could undermine the integrity of elections. Despite pushback from some AGs like Lawrence Wasden of Idaho, who saw efforts to overturn election results as improper interference, the influence of Republican AGs in shaping election rules is expected to remain a key factor in the 2024 election.
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