As the 2024 presidential election looms, Democratic lawyer Marc Elias is spearheading an aggressive legal strategy aimed at preventing a potential victory for Donald Trump. Elias, who served as Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign attorney, is known for his hard-hitting legal tactics.
With more than 60 pre-election lawsuits already filed, Elias has become a central figure in what many are calling “lawfare” — the increasing reliance on legal battles to influence election outcomes.
Elias’ lawsuits primarily target what he describes as Republican “voter suppression” measures. Among these are laws that require voters to show identification at polling stations, which Elias and other Democrats claim disproportionately affect minority communities. His lawsuits seek to block the enforcement of these laws, arguing that they are part of a broader strategy by Republicans to disenfranchise voters of color.
Elias has also been sending letters to election officials in key swing states like Georgia, warning them against purging voter rolls. His letters specifically challenge efforts to remove noncitizens and other ineligible voters from the rolls, claiming that such actions would unfairly limit voter participation. According to some Georgia officials, these legal threats are hampering their ability to verify voter eligibility.
Should Trump be declared the winner in November 2024, Elias is prepared to escalate his legal fight. Reports suggest that he has assembled a team of more than 75 lawyers ready to challenge the election results in key swing states. These lawsuits would likely focus on demanding ballot recounts and scrutinizing election procedures to contest a Trump victory. Elias’ aggressive legal approach mirrors the one he used during the 2020 election, where numerous lawsuits were filed to secure favorable outcomes for Democratic candidates.
On the other side, Trump has not remained silent about these efforts. During a recent presidential debate with Kamala Harris, Trump suggested that Elias should be prosecuted for “election interference.” His campaign has also been preparing for an intense legal battle, having filed or joined over 120 election-related lawsuits across 26 states.
The majority of these cases focus on claims of voter fraud, which Trump continues to assert influenced the 2020 election. His legal team has also enlisted thousands of attorneys to counter any challenges brought by the Harris campaign.
Election experts argue that the GOP’s legal maneuvers are an attempt to catch up to Democrats, who have long used the courts to gain an edge in elections. Elias, in particular, has been a pivotal figure in this strategy. He has been involved in numerous high-profile election cases, and his reputation as a Democratic legal powerhouse is well-established. A 2022 New Yorker profile dubbed him “The First Defense Against Trump’s Assault on Democracy,” a title that highlights his role in defending Democratic interests.
While many Democrats view Elias as a hero who is defending the integrity of the electoral process, conservatives have a different perspective. Critics argue that his efforts undermine election integrity by making it easier for fraudulent votes to be cast.
Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, described Elias’ work as part of a “well-funded leftist operation” aimed at manipulating elections. According to Fitton, the legal strategies pursued by Elias are designed to erode voter confidence and open the door to election tampering.
Meanwhile, Republicans have been gearing up for a legal showdown. Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), recently discussed her party’s preparations for the 2024 election in an interview. She emphasized the importance of having a strong legal presence at polling centers to prevent any potential voter fraud. According to Lara Trump, the RNC has been training 100,000 poll workers to monitor election activities closely and ensure that every ballot is counted accurately.
Additionally, the RNC has already secured legal victories in key battleground states, including Pennsylvania, where they won a significant case related to election integrity. These efforts, according to the Trump campaign, are essential to counter the wave of litigation expected from the Harris camp.
As the 2024 election approaches, both parties are increasingly relying on the courts to shape the outcome. Elias’ legal strategy represents a broader trend of using “lawfare” to secure electoral victories. The question now is whether the courts will ultimately decide the election, and if so, how far each side is willing to go to protect their interests. With tensions running high and legal battles looming, the 2024 election is shaping up to be one of the most contentious in recent history.
