In a crucial ruling, the US Supreme Court denied expanding the power of state legislatures to control federal election regulations. Moore v. Harper, decided 6-3, affirms that state courts can indeed override legislative actions within constitutional limits.
The case hinged on the independent state legislature theory, centered on two constitutional clauses: Article I’s elections clause and Article II’s electors clause. Initiated by GOP lawmakers in North Carolina, the case emerged after the state Supreme Court invalidated their drawn congressional maps.
While the high court underscored state courts’ authority to review legislative actions, it stressed they must remain within the Constitution’s “ordinary bounds.” Yet, the court abstained from deciding on the need to redraw North Carolina’s lines. With this judgment, a fresh round of redistricting is expected in the state before the 2024 elections.
