Supreme Court's Rejection of Independent State Legislature Theory Sets Precedent for Future Election Challenges

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the extreme version of the "independent state legislature theory," which argued that state legislatures have absolute power in setting the rules of federal elections. However, the court left open the possibility for more limited challenges, potentially increasing its role in deciding voting disputes during the 2024 presidential election. While voting rights groups celebrated the ruling, critics argue that the court's decision still allows for ideological and partisan judging. The issue of when state courts need to stay out of federal elections remains unresolved, and it may only be settled in a last-minute challenge during the 2024 election. The ruling has implications for future challenges to state court decisions and the boundaries of state court decision-making in elections.