Supreme Court Allows Pennsylvania Absentee Ballot Extension in 4-4 Tie

The Supreme Court issued an order without explanation on Monday denying a request by Pennsylvania Republicans to block a lower-court ruling requiring Pennsylvania to count absentee ballots received up to three days after Election Day. The Court was split 4-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the three liberal justices, thus leaving the lower court’s decision intact. The decision could have a significant impact on the election; Trump won Pennsylvania in 2016 by less than one percentage point. Coverage in some center- and left-rated outlets framed the GOP’s request as an attempt to “limit mail-in voting," with other coverage on all sides framing the Court’s decision as “allowing an extension” of mail-in voting. Some coverage in left-rated outlets highlighted how Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation might affect future election disputes. Some coverage in right-rated outlets framed the decision as "favoring Democrats."