Supreme Court Set to Weigh in on Thousands of ballots: A Potential Threat to Democracy?
In a case that could potentially upend election outcomes across the US, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear Watson v. Republican National Committee, which claims that states have been counting ballots that should have been disqualified entirely for over 150 years.
At its core, the Republican National Committee's argument hinges on an obscure 1872 law that supposedly requires late-arriving ballots to be tossed out. However, this claim relies on a dubious interpretation of the law and lacks concrete evidence to support it. The GOP has chosen Mississippi as the focal point for their case, primarily targeting states with lax mail-in ballot laws.
President Donald Trump's efforts to restrict mail voting have led to Democrats mailing in more ballots than Republicans. This development raises questions about whether the Supreme Court's decision will disproportionately affect Democratic voters or if the ruling will have a broader impact on election integrity.
A recent court opinion by Judge J. Michael Oldham concluded that "receipt of the last ballot constitutes consummation of the election, and it must occur on Election Day." However, this stance lacks robust legal backing, casting doubt on its validity.
It is essential to note that the Supreme Court has a history of overturning lower courts' decisions when they deem them poorly reasoned. In this instance, it remains uncertain whether the justices will side with the Republican National Committee's flimsy arguments or uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Ultimately, while the prospect of the Supreme Court rigging future elections is unsettling, it appears unlikely that the conservative majority would adopt such a position. The weak legal foundation behind the GOP's claims reduces the likelihood of an outcome favorable to their party interests.
In a case that could potentially upend election outcomes across the US, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear Watson v. Republican National Committee, which claims that states have been counting ballots that should have been disqualified entirely for over 150 years.
At its core, the Republican National Committee's argument hinges on an obscure 1872 law that supposedly requires late-arriving ballots to be tossed out. However, this claim relies on a dubious interpretation of the law and lacks concrete evidence to support it. The GOP has chosen Mississippi as the focal point for their case, primarily targeting states with lax mail-in ballot laws.
President Donald Trump's efforts to restrict mail voting have led to Democrats mailing in more ballots than Republicans. This development raises questions about whether the Supreme Court's decision will disproportionately affect Democratic voters or if the ruling will have a broader impact on election integrity.
A recent court opinion by Judge J. Michael Oldham concluded that "receipt of the last ballot constitutes consummation of the election, and it must occur on Election Day." However, this stance lacks robust legal backing, casting doubt on its validity.
It is essential to note that the Supreme Court has a history of overturning lower courts' decisions when they deem them poorly reasoned. In this instance, it remains uncertain whether the justices will side with the Republican National Committee's flimsy arguments or uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Ultimately, while the prospect of the Supreme Court rigging future elections is unsettling, it appears unlikely that the conservative majority would adopt such a position. The weak legal foundation behind the GOP's claims reduces the likelihood of an outcome favorable to their party interests.