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A federal lawsuit aimed at Pennsylvania’s voting system threatens to undermine the 2024 election long before a ballot has been cast.

The Missouri-based United Sovereign Americans, alongside a trio of Chester County and Delaware County voters, alleges Pennsylvania failed to meet federal elections standards in 2022 and that those mistakes could be repeated in the upcoming cycle.

Bruce Castor Jr., attorney for the petitioners, said Pennsylvania is surpassing the “error rates” allowed under federal law.

“The whole idea here is to ask the federal court to order the various people who are responsible for enforcing election laws to see that the 2024 and subsequent federal elections are followed out within congressionally mandated guidelines,” Castor said.

The petitioners in the lawsuit, which was first reported by LancasterOnline, used their own calculation to determine their conclusions — a calculation that legal experts have deemed unreliable.

“It relies on their own data analysis, which has been shown — the analysis of these particular plaintiffs — to be completely faulty and discredited,” said Marian Schneider, senior policy counsel for voting rights with the ACLU of Pennsylvania.

She said the complaint demonstrates a “complete lack of understanding” of the federal statute and that “it’s attempting to undermine the 2024 election before it happens.”

“People are setting up this characterization of Pennsylvania election administration that they can point to after they don’t get the result they want in November, and that really upends the tradition of democracy in our country,” Schneider said.

The Pennsylvania Department of State is one of nine defendants listed in the legal complaint. Matt Heckel, spokesperson for the Department of State, categorized the lawsuit as unmerited.

“A review shows it to be a frivolous action alleging, without any supporting facts or viable legal theories, a panoply of conspiracy claims advanced by litigants who have repeatedly filed baseless actions rejected by the courts,” Heckel said. “Undeterred, these litigants and their counsel continue to waste taxpayer money.”

An updated weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday at 7:44 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 8:15 p.m. for Union and Snyder counties.

Residents should prepare for wind gusts of up to 55 mph.

“At 7:43 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Snyder-Middleswarth State Park, moving east at 45 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Selinsgrove, Shamokin Dam, Hummels Wharf, Middleburg, McClure, Kreamer, Port Trevorton, Penns Creek, Beaver Springs, Richfield, Mount Pleasant Mills, Kratzerville, Paxtonville, Troxelville, Weikert, Meiserville, Snyder-Middleswart State Park, Fremont, Beavertown and Freeburg.

The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. for central Pennsylvania.”

Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:

1. Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
• Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.

2. Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

3. Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather

When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:

Beware of rapid water flow:

• During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

• Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

• If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

• Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Prioritize visibility

• Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

• The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

• Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

• Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
• If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

Democratic Party activist Chris Jackson shared a video of Trump’s Philadelphia rally on X, showing the upper seating tiers of the arena appearing empty.

“Look at all those empty seats in Philadelphia. Old man can’t even fill a high school gym anymore. Sad,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Peter Henlein posted the same clip as he captioned the video as: “Here is a video of Trump at his rally tonight in swing state PA at Temple University’s Liacouras Center, capacity 10,200. It’s half empty. Zero attendees in the upper bowl.”

Mocking Trump, he said, it is “odd for a guy that brags about pulling 100k ppl in NJ and 30k in the Bronx.”

One X user shared the video of the venue that was recorded before the rally started.

“They got the entire back of the arena covered up with flags. The capacity at the Philly Trump rally is 10,206 and they’re not getting anywhere near that.”

Trump faced similar criticism for a rally in the South Bronx, New York, in May. Following the event, the former president’s spokesperson stated that 25,000 people attended the rally, but several journalists independently refuted this claim.

Since assuming the Republican presidential nomination for 2024 in March, Trump has been trying to build support through his high-profile rallies across the country, ahead of his anticipated rematch with President Joe Biden in November. Pennsylvania is a pivotal swing state that voted for Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016 and that Biden won in 2020.

Also Read: Rachel Morin murder: Donald Trump blasts Biden after illegal immigrant’s arrest

Donald Trump blasts ‘crooked’ Joe Biden

Trump spoke extensively about crime during his speech, stating that Philadelphia has suffered more than any other community under the Biden administration.

“Under Crooked Joe, the City of Brotherly Love is being ravaged by bloodshed and crime.”

Compared to the same period last year, there was a reduction of fifteen percent in violent crime between January and March, according to FBI data. This included fall 26.4 percent fall in homicides, 25.7 percent in rapes, and 12.5 percent in violent assaults.

The first of two planned debates between Trump and Biden is expected to take place in Atlanta on June 27 in advance of the November 5 elections.

On Saturday, Jake Traylor of NBC News reported that Trump informed reporters that he had chosen his running mate. Trump reportedly stated that he would “most likely” attend the debate on Thursday with his vice presidential pick.