PA Supreme Court Shuts Down Lawfare Aimed At Election Law

What's happening

PA Supreme Court Shuts Down Lawfare Aimed At Election Law — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is facing a lawsuit filed by the Michigan GOP and the Republican National Committee, alleging that her directive allowing individuals who have never resided in Michigan to vote violates the state’s constitution and election law. The lawsuit, obtained exclusively by The Federalist, challenges Benson's guidance regarding overseas voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move The complaint seeks to block Benson's directive and obtain a declaratory judgment stating that her guidance contradicts existing law. This lawsuit is a renewed effort following a similar case filed shortly before the 2024 presidential election, which was dismissed by Judge Sima Patel of the state’s Court of Claims. Patel, appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, cited the laches doctrine, arguing that the Republicans were attempting to disenfranchise voters too close to the election. The current lawsuit claims that Benson's guidance unlawfully waives residency requirements, allowing U.S. citizens who have never lived in the country to vote in Michigan elections. According to the complaint, Benson's directive states that a U.S. citizen with a parent or spouse last domiciled in Michigan is eligible to vote, provided they have not registered in another state. The plaintiffs argue that this interpretation is an illegal expansion of for overseas citizens. California Governor Gavin Newsom has faced criticism following the recent approval of a congressional map that some experts argue is racially motivated.

What's at stake

This comes in the wake of a federal court ruling that blocked Texas from implementing a mid-decade revision to its U.S. House map, a decision Newsom hailed as a victory for democracy. However, critics assert that Newsom's own actions contradict his claims of supporting fair elections. Explainer California Overview experts, including Hans von Spakovsky from the Heritage Foundation, have expressed concerns that California's new congressional map was designed to disadvantage Republicans by utilizing race as a factor in redistricting. This follows the passage of Proposition 50, which allows the Democrat-controlled state legislature to redraw congressional districts, effectively dismantling the independent redistricting commission previously in place. The swift push for , backed by significant funding from left-leaning groups, has raised alarms among California Republicans, who have since filed a lawsuit against the new map. Department of Justice has also joined the legal battle, labeling the redistricting effort as a "brazen power grab" that undermines civil rights and the democratic process. The DOJ's lawsuit argues that race should not be used to further political interests, a claim that resonates with critics who believe that the new map disproportionately favors Latino voters while neglecting the interests of other racial groups. Pennsylvania risks losing $75 million in federal road funding unless it complies with U.S.

Department of Transportation (DOT) licensing requirements for non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits (CLP) and commercial driver’s licenses (CDL). This warning was issued in a letter from the DOT to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll and Governor Josh Shapiro. Circuit Court Affirms Trump’s Authority Over USAID Funding The potential funding loss follows the arrest of Akhror Bozorov, an from Uzbekistan, who was wanted for ties to a terrorist organization. The review sampled 150 records and found several discrepancies, including instances where licenses were issued without proper documentation of lawful presence. For example, one individual received a non-domiciled CDL expiring July 31, 2026, despite having only 23 days left on his work authorization. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case regarding the counting of mail-in ballots, specifically whether states can accept ballots that arrive after Election Day. Bozorov was issued a non-domiciled CDL in Pennsylvania, raising concerns about the state's compliance with federal regulations. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), PennDOT has issued non-domiciled CDLs that extend beyond the expiration of the drivers' lawful presence in the U.S. The letter states, "This letter constitutes FMCSA’s preliminary determination that Pennsylvania has failed to meet the requirement for substantial compliance with the standards for issuing non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs." The FMCSA's review, which began in September, revealed that Pennsylvania issued 12,436 non-domiciled CLPs or CDLs that are currently unexpired. What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

The coverage highlights: Supreme Court Allows Texas to Implement New Congressional Map. The coverage highlights: Supreme Court Defers Decision on Trump's Firing of Library of Congress Official. The coverage highlights: Exclusive: Lawsuit Claims Leftist Benson Is Breaking Election Law. The coverage highlights: Why California's Race-Based House Maps Will Fail. The coverage highlights: Pro-Life Center Takes Its Fight Against Dem Lawfare To SCOTUS. The coverage highlights: Duffy Threatens To Pull $75M In Road Funds For Pennsylvania.

Key facts & context

2025-12-05: Supreme Court Allows Texas to Implement New Congressional Map. 2025-11-26: Supreme Court Defers Decision on Trump's Firing of Library of Congress Official. 2025-11-21: Exclusive: Lawsuit Claims Leftist Benson Is Breaking Election Law. 2025-11-21: Why California's Race-Based House Maps Will Fail. 2025-11-21: Pro-Life Center Takes Its Fight Against Dem Lawfare To SCOTUS. 2025-11-20: Duffy Threatens To Pull $75M In Road Funds For Pennsylvania. 2025-11-11: Supreme Court to Rule on Counting Mail Ballots Received After Election Day. 2025-11-05: Pennsylvania Voters Retain Three Supreme Court Justices for Another Decade. 2025-10-10: Plaintiffs 'Very Optimistic' About SCOTUS Elections Case. 2025-10-09: Pennsylvania Court to Decide on Use of Unverified Voter Registrations.

Timeline & key developments

2025-12-05: Supreme Court Allows Texas to Implement New Congressional Map. 2025-11-26: Supreme Court Defers Decision on Trump's Firing of Library of Congress Official. 2025-11-21: Exclusive: Lawsuit Claims Leftist Benson Is Breaking Election Law. 2025-11-21: Why California's Race-Based House Maps Will Fail. 2025-11-21: Pro-Life Center Takes Its Fight Against Dem Lawfare To SCOTUS. 2025-11-20: Duffy Threatens To Pull $75M In Road Funds For Pennsylvania. 2025-11-11: Supreme Court to Rule on Counting Mail Ballots Received After Election Day. 2025-11-05: Pennsylvania Voters Retain Three Supreme Court Justices for Another Decade. 2025-10-10: Plaintiffs 'Very Optimistic' About SCOTUS Elections Case.

Primary sources

• legis.state.pa.us PDF
• Www.courtlistener — courtlistener.com

Further reading & references

• (Additional background links will appear here as we cover this topic.)