The Democratic National Committee asked a judge to block the Republican Party from supporting efforts to discourage minorities from voting based on Donald Trump's claims that the presidential election is "rigged."
In a pre-emptive strike against what it called a coordinated effort to intimidate voters, the Democratic Party's governing body alleged Wednesday that the Republican National Committee is violating a court order in a case that dates back 35 years.
The RNC's support of Trump's recruitment of so-called watchers at polling places who are intended to deter registered voters from casting ballots is a breach of a 1982 consent decree that forbids the RNC from engaging in ballot-security measures, according to a filing in federal court in Newark, N.J.
"The filing is completely meritless," said Lindsay Walters, a spokeswoman for the RNC. "Just as in all prior elections in which the consent decree was in effect, the RNC strictly abides by the consent decree and does not take part directly or indirectly in any efforts to prevent or remedy vote fraud. Nor do we coordinate with the Trump campaign or any other campaign or party organization in any efforts they may make in this area."
Trump has received direct and tacit support of the RNC in his endeavors to prevent alleged rigging and voter fraud, the Democrats alleged in the filing, citing statements by Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.
The case is Democratic National Committee v. Republican National Committee, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey.
