Former President Trump Criticizes Supreme Court Over Pennsylvania Ballot Ruling

Why it matters locally: While this ruling directly affects Pennsylvania, the broader implications regarding mail-in ballot deadlines and state court authority in election matters could set precedents that influence future election law discussions and potential challenges in Nevada, where mail-in voting has become a significant component of elections.

Former President Donald Trump expressed criticism of Supreme Court justices after the court declined to expedite a case concerning Pennsylvania's mail-in ballot deadline. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Monday left in place an earlier ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which extended the deadline for the state to receive mail-in ballots by three days. Justice Samuel Alito issued an order stating that the ballots arriving after Election Day must be segregated and counted separately. He directed election officials to maintain these ballots separately until the court could issue further guidance. The Supreme Court's order specified that election officials should keep these ballots separate and that the court had not yet decided on the merits of the case. Several justices commented on the decision. Justice Amy Coney Barrett did not participate in the case. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch indicated that they would have granted the Republican Party's request to block the ballot extension. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor denied the request. The case originated when Pennsylvania Republicans sought to block the state's three-day extension for mail-in ballot receipt. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court had granted this extension due to concerns about postal service delays and the COVID-19 pandemic. Republicans argued that the state court overstepped its authority by altering election laws set by the legislature.