Texas Sues Four States Over Election Results

The Supreme Court finally got involved in the elections as Texas sues four states over their election results. Led by state Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texas filed a lawsuit directly with the SC last Monday. The case sought to invalidate election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. It contends that they violated the Constitution by changing rules on absentee voting.

 RELATED: Arizona and Georgia GOP Raise New Election Concerns

As a result of these unconstitutional changes, the presidential election results became skewed. As such, Texas now asks that the SC order these states to not base their selection for electors on vote results. Instead, their legislatures should appoint the electors. In addition, the state also asked for an extension for the electors' certification. This event is due on December 14. 

Violation of the Constitution

Texas filed suit directly at the Supreme Court as the body holds jurisdiction over disputes between states. It argued that the four defendant states violated the Constitution’s Electors Clause by changing rules through court and/or executive orders. These states should have ratified changes and amendments through their local legislatures. In addition, different voting rules in different counties violated the equal protection clause. As its final argument, Texas contended that voting irregularities also took place. 

The suit contends the defendants “tainted the integrity” of their own elections. Also, they “debased the votes” of Texas voters and other states that abided by the Constitution.

‘Tens of Millions of Ballot Applications’

The suit also said that the states used the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to change voting laws. Specifically, they changed the rules on absentee and mail-in voting. This resulted in a flood of “tens of millions” of ballot applications and ballots. But, these ballots did not observe proper rules and procedures. Officials did not follow rules on how to receive, evaluate, and count them. 

Whether the intent is well-meaning or not, Texas argued that the effect is the same. These states made elections less secure in their homestead. By effect, these acts cast doubt on the veracity of local votes. Which in turn cast doubts on the results at the national level.

Defendant States

All four states named as defendants previously certified their presidential elections. All proclaimed Democrat candidate Joe Biden as the winner. As expected, the states criticized Paxton's lawsuit as either frivolous or downright embarrassing. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel gave a statement that dismisses the charges. “The motion filed by the Texas Attorney General is a publicity stunt, not a serious legal pleading.” She went on to say that “The erosion of confidence in our democratic system isn't attributable to the good people of Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia or Pennsylvania but rather to partisan officials, like Mr. Paxton, who place loyalty to a person over loyalty to their country.” Nessel summarized Paxton’s actions as “beneath the dignity of the office of Attorney General and the people of the great state of Texas.” 

Wisconsin Attorney Josh Kaul said Wisconsin will defend themselves “against this attack on our democracy.” He added that he feels “sorry for Texans that their tax dollars are being wasted on such a genuinely embarrassing lawsuit.” Attorney General Chris Carr of Georgia issued a statement that said Paxton is “constitutionally, legally and factually wrong about Georgia.” Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro called the claims “uniquely unserious.”

For Courage And Brilliance

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump tweeted his reaction to Paxton’s efforts. He replied to a tweet made by Christina Bobb, a Department of Homeland Security employee. She is also a correspondent for the One America News network. Bobb tweeted “God bless Texas” as she forwarded a link to the Breitbart article on the Texas lawsuit. Trump replied to the tweet with the words: “FOR COURAGE & BRILLIANCE!” 

Similarly, Trump supporters took to Twitter to hail the lawsuit. They referred to Paxton’s charges as “the one.” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany called the case “HUGE.” Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach emphasized the value of the lawsuit. It's “far more important than all of the others surrounding the presidential election.”

Watch the CBS News breaking report on Texas filing a lawsuit against four other states concerning the elections:

Do you support Texas' lawsuit seeking to overturn election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin? Or, do you find this as an infringement of one state over others? Let us know what you think by leaving your opinions in the comment sections below.