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Lawyers for President Donald Trump’s campaign and other Republican entities backed off a legal challenge Tuesday to new Minnesota absentee ballot rules. 

In a filing with the state Supreme Court, the attorneys agreed to dismiss their appeal. They had sought to overturn a lower court ruling that suspended a witness requirement for registered voters who cast an absentee ballot. The same order allowed seven days after Election Day for authorities to receive and count absentee ballots postmarked by Nov. 3.

Both changes were granted through a consent decree because of the COVID-19 pandemic that is expected to cause a surge in remote voting. 

The Republican appeal had been scheduled for a hearing early next month because the first absentee ballots go out on Sept. 18.

The decision effectively ends litigation over the changes because the Republican entities waived their right to challenge them in any other court.

Here’s how to vote by mail in Minnesota

Election 2020 

Politics and Government News

Election 2020

Brian Bakst

Author

Republicans moved to dismiss their appeal to the state Supreme Court over eased requirements for absentee ballots during the pandemic.

Republicans end court fight over absentee ballot rules

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