With the SAVE America Act blocked in the U.S. Senate, the Republican National Committee has shifted focus to the courts to ensure only American citizens participate in federal elections.
Facing significant hurdles in overcoming the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold, the RNC has initiated an aggressive legal strategy aimed at reshaping election rules nationwide, case by case.
The effort aligns with the goals of the SAVE America Act—which would mandate voter identification and proof of citizenship for registration but would bypass Congress entirely.
Currently, the RNC is engaged in more than 100 legal cases spanning 30 states, targeting issues such as voter ID laws, mail-in ballot procedures, voter roll accuracy, and noncitizen voting.
“RNC Election Integrity Communications Director Ally Triolo said, ‘We’re fighting to uphold common-sense measures backed by over 80% of Americans.’”
“This is about protecting the ballot box and restoring trust in our elections,” she added.
At the heart of the legal strategy is a high-stakes Supreme Court case, Watson v. RNC, which could have nationwide implications for mail-in voting.
The RNC is challenging laws in states such as Mississippi that permit ballots to be counted if they arrive after Election Day, provided they are postmarked on time.
The Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in the case involving Mississippi’s mail-in ballot law and appears poised to reject the state’s approach.
Republicans contend that federal law clearly establishes Election Day as the deadline for casting ballots, and extended counting periods undermine election integrity and public confidence.
If the court rules against such laws, voting regulations in at least a dozen states could be tightened, potentially limiting the acceptance of late-arriving ballots.
The RNC is also urging the Supreme Court to address other critical issues, including Pennsylvania’s handling of undated mail ballots and Arizona’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration—a law initially approved by voters but later challenged in court.
Republican officials state these cases are designed to enforce basic safeguards and ensure only eligible voters participate in U.S. elections.
“Federal law is clear: Only U.S. citizens have the right to vote,” said RNC Chair Joe Gruters, emphasizing the importance of election integrity measures.
Democrats have countered by accusing Republicans of attempting to restrict access to the ballot box.
Critics warn that eliminating grace periods for mail ballots could disenfranchise voters, especially in states where mail voting has become increasingly common.
However, conservatives maintain that clear rules and firm deadlines are essential to restoring confidence after years of controversy surrounding election procedures.
This legal strategy represents a broader post-2020 effort by Republicans to address concerns about election security through the courts, particularly as legislative pathways remain limited.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has continued to advocate for stricter mail-in voting controls and tied the passage of the SAVE America Act to broader Republican legislative priorities.
With Congress gridlocked, the outcome of these court battles could ultimately determine the future of U.S. election rules and whether key Republican-backed reforms become reality.
