On May 6, the New Jersey Supreme Court refused to hear Layton v Lewis, the case involving whether former Olympic track star Carl Lewis really was a resident of New Jersey during the preceding four years. Lewis is trying to run for the Democratic nomination for State Senate in the June 7, 2011 primary. See this story.

Now, Lewis’ only hope is that the U.S. District Court rules that the New Jersey Constitution violates the U.S. Constitution. The New Jersey Constitution does not let people run for State Senate unless they have lived in New Jersey for the preceding four years. The U.S. District Court already turned Lewis down, but then the 3rd circuit had ordered the U.S. District Court to reconsider the case. The 3rd circuit order told election officials not to print any ballots that omit Lewis, so the next precedings in the U.S. District Court will be quick.