Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts with Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor on 07 March 7, 2024. SHAWN THEW/Pool via REUTERS
Early Thursday afternoon, April 9, Newsweek reported that the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene in an election dispute in Ohio. The ruling, according to Newsweek reporters Jenna Sundel and Gabe Whisnant, will allow state officials to "keep a congressional candidate off the Republican primary ballot." And SCOTUS' ruling "effectively hands the GOP an advantage in a closely watched district," according to the journalists.
"The case centered on whether state election officials violated the First Amendment by removing Sam Ronan, who sought to run as a Republican despite past political activity, from the ballot," Sundel and Whisnan explain. "By refusing to grant emergency relief, the justices left in place lower‑court rulings that allowed Ohio officials to enforce state party‑affiliation rules, ensuring voters will choose among a narrower slate of candidates in the Republican primary."
The High Court's decision in Ronan, Samuel et al v. Ohio Secretary of State is generating some comments on X, formerly Twitter.
UCLA law professor Rick Hasen observed, "U.S. Supreme Court, with no noted dissents, declines to restore Samuel Ronan to Republican primary ballot for congressional seat in Ohio."
Chris Geidner, a West Virginia University law professor, noted a previous decision by an Ohio elections board.
Geidner tweeted, "NEW: SCOTUS refuses to get into an Ohio dispute over whether a person who was (is?) a Dem was properly removed from a GOP primary ballot by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) after the local board of elections split 2-2 on the question."
Ohio-based attorney Todd Fichtenberg commented, "In Ohio, oral rulings are technically not enforceable until journalized (signed and filed with the clerk). Here, if an email order wasn't journalized as part of the official court record, it's likely not a valid order. It's a fun exam question, though."
Courthouse News reporter Kelsey Reichmann posted, "Supreme Court keeps former DNC candidate off Ohio GOP primary ballot."
Business coach Raven Core observed, "Interesting move last year a similar court decision in Texas kept a challenger off the ballot, yet the primary saw a 12% surge in voter engagement. Hope voters stay informed and make their voices heard."
Election Law Blog pointed out that there were "no noted dissents" in the High Court's decision.
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