Leagues Representing 50 states and DC Join Brief Focused on Negative Implications of Independent State Legislature Theory
WASHINGTON — The League of Women Voters of the United States and League chapters from all 50 states and the District of Columbia filed an amicus brief in the Moore v. Harper case before the Supreme Court. The case concerns the so-called “independent state legislature theory” (ISLT), which, if adopted, would have far-reaching implications for the future of American democracy.
In the US Supreme Court case, Moore v. Harper, the court could rule in favor of a fringe political theory called the Independent State Legislature Theory (ISLT). If adopted, ISLT would remove checks and balances at the state level, giving Wyoming state legislatures nearly unrestricted authority to set the rules for federal elections. Unlike today, Wyoming’s governor and state courts would no longer have a say in state legislation concerning federal election rules. Wyoming Legislators could create different rules for federal and state elections. Not only would this be confusing to voters, their implementation would add additional costs, both monetary and time, to Wyoming’s already overburdened election offices.
Nancy Lockwood–LWV Wyoming president
The League of Women Voters of Wyoming supports fair elections and stands behind governmental checks and balances – the sharing of power among the three branches of government – which are central to Democracy