Staff Reports
In a surprising twist, a judge in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, just handed the Trump campaign a significant win by extending early on-demand voting until Friday. Clearly, the judge must have found the antics of local election officials—turning away eager voters—more problematic than an overcooked steak at a Sunday barbecue. The ruling from Judge Jeffrey Trauger, who was appointed by none other than former Democratic Governor Tom Wolf, has folks scratching their heads at how a Democratic appointee managed to see the light in a situation where voters were seemingly being sent home for wanting to exercise their rights.
The Trump campaign, along with the Republican National Committee (RNC) and David McCormick’s Senate campaign, wasted no time filing a lawsuit when certain voters found themselves turned away from election offices due to long lines and earlier-than-advertised closing times. The picture of Pennsylvania voters standing in line while being told to pack it in can’t be satirical enough—it’s like inviting someone to a potluck and then hiding all the food!
BREAKING🚨: The Trump Campaign/RNC lawsuit was just WON against Bucks County, PA.
You will now have extended early in-person mail-voting through November 1st — three extra days. pic.twitter.com/vCC2YlfJ8R
— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) October 30, 2024
In a swift move, Trauger issued his ruling just hours after the lawsuit was filed, confirming what most reasonable people already knew: shutting down polling places early is not a proper way to run an election. His one-page order made it clear that turning away folks simply because they want to cast their ballot is a clear violation of Pennsylvania’s election code. It turns out that keeping the voting process open is still a bright idea, and the judge’s quick action might just save more than a few Pennsylvanian souls from electoral disappointment.
Bucks County is not just a random patch of land; it’s an area where the political stakes are sky-high. In the past two elections, Trump lost by razor-thin margins—4 points in 2020 and less than 1 point in 2016. It seems that every ballot, every decision made, and every last-minute ruling can sway the outcome. The RNC Chairman even suggested, much to the confusion of everyone involved, that this legal skirmish wasn’t designed to favor Democrats over Republicans. Apparently, when it comes to fair voting access, the RNC is as enthusiastic about equality as they are about grand slams in baseball.
The situation in Bucks County is a microcosm of a larger battle affecting elections nationwide. Election integrity, despite what some folks like to say, is a bipartisan issue. But the very fact that voters were turned away should keep all Americans on high alert. When voters arrive at polling places and are told they can’t vote, it’s a clear sign the system may not be functioning as it should. In a country where countless brave men and women fought for the right to vote, having anyone turned away from the polls is, quite simply, a disgrace.
As Bucks County moves toward the extended early on-demand voting deadline, it’ll be interesting to see if other areas take note of this ruling. After all, the only thing that should be left till Friday are weekend plans, not the right to vote. The outrage of voters who want their voices heard shows that American democracy is still very much alive, and even if it takes a Democratic judge to point it out, ensuring everyone has a fair chance to participate is a victory for all—if only election officials could finally get with the program!
