2024 Is Already The Most Litigated Election On Record

As of Nov. 5, 217 voting-related lawsuits have been filed in 2024, according to Democracy Docket’s litigation database. This number has already surpassed the 157 voting-related lawsuits filed in 2020, during the general election, and the 175 filed in 2022 during the midterm election — both of which were two of the most litigated elections in recent memory. In total, 295 voting-related lawsuits have been filed in the 2023-2024 election cycle.

With this many lawsuits filed in the election cycle so far, 2024 is the most litigated election according to Democracy Docket’s case database. 

Of the 295 lawsuits filed this election cycle, the GOP and its affiliates — meaning Republican committees like the RNC, state and local parties and GOP officials and candidates — are involved in 123 of them, which is a steep rise from the 2022 election cycle. Of that 123 number, the GOP filed 83 lawsuits — with the Republican National Committee (RNC) as the plaintiff behind 25 of those filed lawsuits. In total, 158 anti-voting lawsuits have been filed so far this election cycle. A number of those lawsuits, that didn’t come from the GOP, were from various right-wing groups — like America First Legal, United Sovereign Americans, Judicial Watch and others — challenging all aspects of voting and the elections process. 

Right-Wing Voting Rights Lawsuits, ‘23-’24 Election Cycle

It’s not surprising to see such an increased election litigation effort from the GOP and other right-wing entities. The RNC and other GOP officials have repeatedly boasted that they plan to ramp up their election integrity litigation effort this election cycle — especially as it gets closer to the election. 

Meanwhile, Democrats are involved in far less lawsuits this election cycle than their right-wing counterparts. According to Democracy Docket’s litigation tracker, Democrats — meaning the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), state and local parties and Democratic officials and candidates — are involved in 41 lawsuits this election cycle. Of that 41 number, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is involved in 21 lawsuits. Democrats are also far less aggressive in filing lawsuits than Republicans. Democrats have only filed 17 lawsuits this election cycle — with five filed directly by the DNC. Historically, non-profit groups have filed the bulk of pro-voting lawsuits. 

Democratic Voting Rights Lawsuits, ‘23-’24 Election Cycle

Despite the record-setting litigation effort this election cycle, voters are, for the most part, winning in the courts. There have been 399 consequential court orders — including orders from lawsuits filed before the ‘23-’24 election cycle. Of that 394 number, there have been 264 pro-voting victories in the courts, with only 95 losses and 40 rulings with neutral outcomes. Cumulatively, this data proves one thing: The courts are largely siding with voters, and issuing rulings that ensure the least amount of voters are disenfranchised this election cycle. 

Voting Rights Litigation Victories vs. Losses, ‘23-’24 Election Cycle

Like in 2022 and 2020, Democracy Docket is expecting a deluge of post-election lawsuits challenging various election results. Election Day is next week and experts anticipate even more lawsuits to come out quickly, making this the most litigated — and potentially consequential — election in history.