US Supreme Court hears arguments in NC elections case that could change elections, voting forever

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments in the Moore v. Harper federal elections case – which originated in North Carolina – and depending on the ruling, could be the beginning of the end of democracy in the United States.

The issue at hand is whether or not the U.S. Constitution gives state legislatures full authority over elections, voting and redistricting. North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore and the NCGOP are arguing that it does.

This argument is known as the “Independent State Legislature” theory, which many judicial experts have called a “fringe legal theory” and “the death knell of democracy.”

According to CNN, Wednesday’s arguments lasted more than three hours, which is an unusually long time for Supreme Court oral arguments. The news outlet reported that the NCGOP “appears to be short of five votes it would need to get a…ruling that adopted the most aggressive version of their arguments.”

Chief Justice John Roberts reportedly told the NCGOP’s lawyer that a concession he made during questioning undermined the Republicans’ entire case.

According to CNN, a narrow ruling in the NCGOP’s favor is possible and would still be a danger to democracy, having a big impact on elections, redistricting and voting rights. CNN wrote that “Trying to read the tea leaves at oral arguments is always a hard game” and it’s not clear which way the justices are leaning at this point.

The Supreme Court’s ruling on the case is expected in 2023, likely in the summer.