GOP lawsuit challenges 1937 law on poll watcher rules; Dems: 'Publicity stunt'

The Republican Party of Pennsylvania, along with eight voters from around the state, filed a federal court lawsuit on Friday challenging the 1937 state law that limits poll watchers to serving only in their county of residence.

The suit, said party spokeswoman Megan Sweeney, "is a commonsense remedy to ensure the fairest election possible." The suit, she added, "is not about election fraud" and "is not a partisan issue."

"It is an issue of fundamental fairness for all," Sweeney said.

She was asked why the suit was filed 18 days before the general election, challenging a law 79 years old. "I won't be commenting on the timetable," Sweeney said.

State Democratic Party Chairman Marcel L. Groen called the lawsuit "a publicity stunt" and predicted it would be found unconstitutional.

"Pennsylvanians must know that their sacred right to vote will be defended," he said.

"For the Pennsylvania Republicans to take their nominee's conspiracy theories and thinly veiled racism to heart by trying to change the law two weeks from Election Day shows just how unfit they are to lead," he said.

Legislation that would let poll watchers serve outside their home counties appears stalled in the Republican-controlled state House. The measure, House Bill 29 - introduced in January 2015 - has drawn little support from Republicans and opposition from Democrats, who contend it would result in voter intimidation and disruption of polling places with high numbers of African American and Latino voters. - Chris Brennan