On Tie Vote, U.S. Supreme Court Allows Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Extend Deadline for Postal Ballots to Arrive

On October 19, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to stop the Pennsylvania Supreme Court order that allowed postal ballots to be received as late as three days after election day. The vote was 4-4. On a tie vote, the lower court opinion stands. Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the three Democratic appointees.

The Pennsylvania Republican Party had argued that the U.S. Constitution allows the state legislature to set the rules, which means that state courts and governors have no role in setting rules for presidential elections. There were two cases on the same issue. Republican Party of Pennsylvania v Boockvar, 20A54; and Scarnati v Boockvar. 20A53.

New Idaho Registration Data

As of September 3, 2020, the Idaho registration in each party is: Republican 515,310; Democratic 137,730; Libertarian 9,714; Constitution 3,480; independent and other 308,307.

The percentages are: Republican 52.88%; Democratic 14.13%; Libertarian 1.00%; Constitution .36%; independent and other 31.64%.

In June 2020, the percentages were: Republican 53.75; Democratic 14.05%; Libertarian .90%; Constitution .36; independent and other 30.94%.

This information is not yet on the Secretary of State’s website, because the office is revising the format of the website, but it will be posted in November, along with the October data.