The nation's highest court declined to hear a case that could have impacted voter accessibility just weeks before a crucial election.
Fox News reported that the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a Republican-backed challenge to President Biden's executive order on voting access and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's automatic voter registration initiative.
The decision, made as the court reconvened for its 2024-2025 term, comes approximately one month before Election Day, effectively maintaining the status quo for voter registration and access policies.
The case, brought forward by 27 Republican lawmakers from Pennsylvania, contested the constitutionality of Biden's 2021 executive order on Promoting Access to Voting. The plaintiffs argued that the order overstepped presidential authority by attempting to influence election processes without congressional approval. Additionally, they challenged Governor Shapiro's implementation of automatic voter registration in Pennsylvania.
Governor Shapiro's office celebrated the Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case. Manuel Bonder, a spokesman for Shapiro, characterized the Republican petition as a "bad faith attempt" to disenfranchise Pennsylvania voters. He praised the Supreme Court's rejection of the case, framing it as a victory for democracy and voter rights.
President Biden's executive order, signed in March 2021, directs federal agencies to expand voter registration access and improve the government's Vote.gov website. The order emphasizes the federal government's role in simplifying the voting process for eligible citizens.
Critics of the executive order, including the Republican lawmakers who filed the lawsuit, contend that it essentially creates an executive branch-led get-out-the-vote campaign. They argue that such an initiative could disproportionately benefit the Democratic Party and lacks the necessary congressional authorization.
Erick Kaardal, an attorney representing the lawmakers, expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case. He emphasized the importance of holding President Biden accountable for what the plaintiffs view as a violation of constitutional principles.
Governor Shapiro's office viewed the Supreme Court's rejection of the case as a significant win for voting rights in Pennsylvania. Bonder highlighted Shapiro's consistent efforts to protect democracy, including his successful legal battles against former President Donald Trump and his allies in defense of Pennsylvania voters.
The spokesman stated:
Governor Shapiro has consistently fought to protect our democracy – including defeating Donald Trump and his allies in court dozens of times to defend Pennsylvanians' votes and protect access to the ballot box. Yesterday, election deniers went 0-2 at the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case effectively leaves in place both Biden's executive order and Shapiro's automatic voter registration initiative. This outcome maintains the current landscape of voting access policies as the nation approaches the 2024 election.
While the Republican lawmakers sought to have the Supreme Court determine their standing to bring the case before the 2024 election, the court's rejection means that the lower court's dismissal of the lawsuit stands. The initial dismissal was based on the plaintiffs' lack of legal standing to challenge the executive actions.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court's rejection of the Republican challenge to Biden's voting access order and Shapiro's automatic registration initiative maintains current election policies. This decision comes just weeks before Election Day, upholding measures aimed at expanding voter access. The case highlights ongoing debates about federal involvement in election procedures and sets the stage for continued discussions on voting rights and accessibility.
