The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to expedite review of a high-profile dispute over Pennsylvania’s deadline for mail-in absentee ballots, but left open the possibility of revisiting the matter after the election.
The Pennsylvania Republican Party had asked the court to review a ruling by the state supreme court that extended the deadline for returning mail-in ballots by three days to November 6.
Justice Samuel Alito, writing for himself and Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, said there was “simply not enough time at this late date to decide the question before the election,” but added that “does not mean … that the state court decision must escape our review.” Pennsylvania officials said Wednesday that county election boards would segregate ballots received after Election Day, should the court choose to review the case in the future.
Meanwhile, President Trump was out West to drum up support in the battleground state of Nevada, holding a rally Wednesday afternoon across the border in neighboring Arizona due to the Silver State’s coronavirus restrictions. A senior Trump campaign official told CBS News the president plans to visit 10 states during the last week of the campaign, and hold 11 rallies in the 48 hours before Election Day.
Joe Biden is continuing to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, holding a briefing with public health experts and making remarks in Wilmington, Delaware. The U.S. is experiencing a surge in new infections, with more than 83,000 cases reported on both Monday and Tuesday, a new record.
Early voting totals continue to show high turnout across the country, just six days before the election. More than 71 million Americans have already cast their ballots, accounting for roughly 51% of the overall total from 2016.
