The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Democrats in fear over new judge choice
Fears have heightened among Democrats about the Supreme Court being asked to rule on a post-election dispute – and with it, the winner of the White House – ahead of Amy Coney Barr et t’ s impending confirmation.
Justices were split 4-4 on Monday over a Republican plea to undo a state court order in a Pennsylvania voting case and force officials to ignore absentee ballots received after election day on November 3. The tied vote left the Pennsylvania court order in effect and allows mailed ballots to be counted if they are received by November 6.
Chief Justice Jo h n Rober ts and his three liberal colleagues voted to leave the court order in place.
The four conservative members of the court who would have granted the GOP’s request are likely to be joined soon by Ms Barrett.
That means a potential majority, even without Mr Roberts, in any electionrelated dispute, whether from Pennsylvania or any other battleground state where mailed-in ballots or a recount fight could decide the winner.
“One more vote, provided by a hard- right, Trump-nominated justice could be the difference between voting rights and voting suppression ,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said.
President Donald Trump already has signalled one reason for Ms Barrett’s speedy nomination, just eight days after justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, was to have her confirmed and installed on the court in time for any election case that might reach the justices.