Reaction round-up to U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Moore v. Harper

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the ‘independent state legislature’ theory brought forth by North Carolina Republicans in Moore v. Harper. The opinion is being hailed by many as a victory for democracy and future elections.

Read Lynn Bonner’s NC Republicans lose US Supreme Court case on legislatures’ power over federal elections

Here’s a round-up of those following the case most closely:

Today, the Supreme Court rejected the fringe independent state legislature theory that threatened to upend our democracy and dismantle our system of checks and balances.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 27, 2023

Governor Roy Cooper:

“This is a good decision that curbs some of the power of Republican state legislatures and affirms the importance of checks and balances. But Republican legislators in North Carolina and across the country remain a very real threat to democracy as they continue to pass laws to manipulate elections for partisan gain by interfering with the freedom to vote.”

Kathay Feng, Common Causes Vice President of Programs:

“Today’s ruling is a victory for all Americans who stand for our democracy’s promise of free and fair elections. Now Congress must act and pass long overdue protections for voters, so that we can put an end once and for all to the persistent attempts to undermine and restrict our right to vote.”

Bob Phillips, Common Cause North Carolina’s executive director:

“This is a historic victory for the people of North Carolina and for American democracy. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court made clear that state courts and state constitutions should serve as a critical check against abuses of power by legislators. Now, we must ensure our state courts fulfill their duty to protect our freedoms against attacks by extremist politicians.”

Hilary Harris Klein, Senior Counsel for Voting Rights at SCSJ:

“The Supreme Court took an important and crucial step today in protecting our system of checks and balances. Today’s decision will ensure that voters will continue to have the full protection of state constitutions against harmful and anti-democratic voter suppression and election manipulation.”

Attorney Neal Katyal, representing Common Cause in Moore v. Harper:

“I am proud to stand with Common Cause, the leading nonpartisan group in our nation devoted to protecting the right to vote. As we argued to the Supreme Court, the independent state legislature theory was contrary to precedent and would have called into question hundreds of state constitutional provisions and decisions. Today’s ruling affirms the crucial role state courts play in overseeing federal elections.”

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein:

“In Moore v. Harper, the Supreme Court rejected the radical independent state legislature theory and reaffirmed the most central principle of our democracy: that the people, not politicians, have political power. State legislators cannot violate the will of the people as expressed in their constitutions & interpreted by their supreme courts.”

Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee:

“Today’s ruling is a major victory for free and fair elections in North Carolina and across the country. One branch of state government should not have unfettered and unchecked power over state election laws and maps. Here’s the bottom line: independent state legislature theory is extreme and antithetical to the fundamental promise of checks and balances in this country.

“This case should never have reached our nation’s highest court. The people of North Carolina are tired of Republican politicians attempting to silence their voices through partisan gerrymandering. Now more than ever, we must continue the fight to protect and expand the rights of all voters, especially at a time when state legislatures in our state and across the country are seeking to undercut the pillars of American democracy for political gain.”

Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04): 

“The ‘independent state legislature’ theory would have created a dangerous precedent nationwide by preventing necessary oversight and erasing the system of checks and balances that have protected our democracy for over 200 years. But today’s decision affirmed that state legislatures cannot violate the will of the people, and our state courts are an important safeguard to inhibit these undemocratic power grabs. 

“Although this decision is a victory for our democracy and for voters across the country, comprehensive voter protections for all Americans are long overdue. We must pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom of Vote Act to ensure that all voters have a voice in our federal elections.”

Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12):

The Constitution “does not exempt state legislatures from the ordinary constraints imposed by state law.” #SCOTUS with good advice for the #NCGA today.

— Rep. Alma Adams (@RepAdams) June 27, 2023

Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13):

“Today’s 6-3 ruling by the United States Supreme Court is a win for democracy and for voters throughout North Carolina,” said Congressman Wiley Nickel. “Voters should choose their politicians. Politicians shouldn’t choose their voters, and I’ll continue to do everything I can to protect the right to vote for every single North Carolinian.”