A small town lawyer's read of the SCOTUS Order. [View all]

[TomSlick]

I will allow that I am not a constitutional law expert but here's what I read.

First, the SCOTUS Order is a miscellaneous order - not a signed opinion. This is the original jurisdiction (cases between states) equivalent of a denial of certiorari. The Court simply found that Texas did not have standing to challenge the election process in other states. This decision is obviously correct and the correct reason for the Court to summarily terminate the case. This disposition is a serious slap-down.

Second, the dissent by Alito and Thomas is far from clear. They would allow the case to be filed - in fact it already had - but would deny further relief. The dissent expresses no opinion on the merits of the case. I think the other relief referenced are the various motions to file amici briefs which, of course, are moot. I am unconvinced Scalia and Thomas expressed an opinion concerning the merits of the Texas pleading.

It would have been nice if Alito and Thomas had put on their big-justice robes and stood up for democracy but that is really too much to hope.