The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case from Montana Republicans attempting to use the “independent state legislature” theory to revive two state election laws.
The Court reaffirmed that state courts can review election laws but don’t have unlimited power. Montana’s GOP wanted to reinstate laws banning same-day voter registration and paid ballot collection, previously struck down by the state Supreme Court.
Separately, the Court also declined to hear challenges to gun laws in Delaware and Maryland. Delaware’s ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and Maryland’s handgun licensing law remain in effect. The justices left in place lower court rulings that upheld these laws, rejecting arguments that they violated Second Amendment rights.
Both decisions avoided addressing broader constitutional questions around elections and gun rights.
