The lawsuit against Montgomery County officials was filed by Kathy Barnette, who is seeking a House seat in Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional district, and Clay Breece, chairman of the Republican Committee in neighboring Berks County. Pennsylvania state law forbids votes from being tabulated before 7 a.m. on Election Day. The lawsuit in Philadelphia federal court also accuses Montgomery County officials of making it harder for the plaintiffs' representatives to monitor vote counting, and leaving ballots in a public hallway where anyone can access them.