Indiana group weighs in on controversial U.S. Supreme Court case being heard Wednesday

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments Wednesday in a case that could upend federal elections across the country.

Moore v. Harper involves a fringe legal theory known as the Independent State Legislature Theory. And its potential consequences have dozens of groups weighing in – including one from Indiana.

The case boils down to this: North Carolina Republicans want the Supreme Court to decide that only state legislatures have the power to decide how congressional elections are run, with no oversight from state courts or constitutions.

Women4Change Indiana, a nonpartisan advocacy group, filed a brief with the Court, urging it not to rule that way. Executive Director Rima Shahid said the case is about ensuring the integrity of elections for generations.

“How the folks that we elect should have some checks and balances on ultimate authority of voting,” Shahid said.

READ MORE: A controversial election theory at the Supreme Court is tied to a disputed document

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text “Indiana” to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on statewide issues.

It’s not just advocacy groups getting involved. The Conference of Chief Justices represents state court heads around the country. It rarely files briefs with the Supreme Court. But current conference president – Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush – said the group was compelled to weigh in on this case.

“We thought Moore was a very important issue relating to the relationship between federal and state courts – with fundamental issues of federalism ­­– that we thought it was important that we, as a group, speak on,” Rush said.

Rush noted that her group’s brief did not advocate for either side in the case.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.