GOP challenges to overseas balloting rules stymied in two key battleground states

The two separate court rulings come just weeks after Republicans in Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina filed lawsuits aimed at restricting both the registration and vetting process for overseas voters. 

Judges in U.S. battleground states appear to back this line of thinking, following two separate decisions filed Monday. 

"Consistent with federal law, the Michigan Legislature made a policy choice to allow a small pool of individuals who accompany family members abroad to qualify as Michigan residents for the purpose of voting in Michigan because they are connected to Michigan through their spouse, parent, or someone serving a parental role," Patel said, adding that "It is hard to imagine a more prejudicial situation arising from plaintiffs' delay."

Patel further noted that the law for overseas voters has been in place for 12 years and had gone unchallenged until now. 

Further, he said, plaintiffs "have failed to show any likelihood of irreparable harm" as a result of the voters in question.

In Pennsylvania, judges are expected to rule on three separate lawsuits Republicans have filed in recent weeks seeking to restrict overseas voters and their registration under the 1986 Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), which oversees the voting process for U.S. residents living abroad.

And in a dead-heat sprint to Election Day, these voters could play a pivotal role in the race's final outcome. All three states are considered "toss-up" states in the 2024 election, and could prove pivotal in picking the next president.