Michigan judge rebuffs GOP bid to block ballots of some overseas, military family voters

A Michigan judge on Monday rejected a Republican effort to set aside ballots from some overseas voters who cast their votes in the key Midwestern battleground.

Judge Sima Patel wrote that the Republican effort came too close to Election Day, calling it an "11th hour attempt to disenfranchise" voters who include the families of those "serving our country in the armed forces and diplomatic corps."

"The federal government requires states to permit absent uniformed services and overseas voters, as well as their spouses and dependents, to apply for and vote," Patel wrote.