The U.S. Supreme Court is considering the blockbuster case of Moore v. Harper. At the center of this democracy-related case is a lawless theory, which, if adopted, could hand partisan state legislators potentially limitless power to manipulate rules for federal elections and draw unfair congressional maps. This independent state legislature (ISL) theory, which even many conservative experts deem meritless, could undermine free and fair elections and threaten a giant step backward for a truly representative democracy.
The U.S. Supreme Court is pictured at sunset on January 27, 2022, in Washington, D.C.
(Getty/The Washington Post/Jabin Botsford)
Supreme Court Oral Arguments in Moore v. Harper Discredit Election Theory That Could Undermine Democracy
Litigants’ oral arguments, along with questions from Supreme Court justices, revealed that the independent state legislature theory is meritless and should be rejected.
Supreme Court Decision in Moore v. Harper Could Harm Free and Fair Elections
This video explainer details the facts behind the Moore v. Harper case, its underlying arguments, and the harmful consequences for democracy if the Supreme Court's conservative majority overlooks history and precedent.
9 Ways the Supreme Court’s Decision in Moore v. Harper Could Harm Democracy
If the Supreme Court’s extreme conservative majority adopts the discredited independent state legislature theory, it could pose a huge setback for free and fair elections.
Supreme Court May Adopt Extreme MAGA Election Theory That Threatens Democracy
In its upcoming term, the Supreme Court will decide Moore v. Harper, a case involving the extreme “independent state legislature” theory that endangers free and fair elections.
