EXCLUSIVE — National Republicans are pouring millions of dollars into efforts to boost election integrity and fund possible litigation efforts ahead of November.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has transferred $3.75 million to the Republican National Committee so far this cycle to go directly toward its Election Integrity Department. The integrity project was launched last May to implement an aggressive litigation strategy that employs attorneys and poll watchers to avoid voter fraud.
“The NRCC is proud to partner with the RNC to keep Democrats honest from playing fast and loose with our election laws,” NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson told the Washington Examiner. “I want every Republican voter to have total confidence that their vote counts because we need to maximize every vote to achieve victory in November.”
Election integrity has become a major focus of the RNC’s campaign strategy in 2024, especially after Democrats were able to utilize mail-in voting and absentee ballots to boost turnout in the 2020 election. The department would allow the RNC to recruit thousands of workers to scrutinize voting locations for signs of fraud that can be used to challenge election results.
No evidence of widespread voter fraud was found in the 2020 election, but it has become a focus in large part due to former President Donald Trump’s claims of a stolen election.
The Election Integrity Department builds on efforts that Republicans tested out during the 2022 midterm elections, expanding the program into a full-year project.
The million-dollar transfer from the NRCC also gives a boost to the RNC as it faces a money crunch and questions about its leadership under Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
The RNC raised only $87.2 million in 2023 and ended with $1.8 million in debts and just $8 million in cash on hand, according to campaign finance filings reported to the Federal Election Commission. The report marked the committee’s worst fundraising haul since 2013.
In comparison, the Democratic National Committee raised $120 million in 2023, ending the year with $21 million in cash.
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The poor showing for the RNC prompted criticism from some conservatives, particularly those who have already called for McDaniel to resign after the party’s worse-than-expected performance in 2022.
McDaniel has since offered to step down from her position, according to the Washington Post. However, a spokesperson for the RNC told the Washington Examiner a decision would not be made until after the South Carolina primary on Saturday.
