Moore v. Harper
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Moore v. Harper and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Moore v. Harper.
The Supreme Court reviewed whether the Elections Clause grants state legislatures exclusive authority to regulate federal elections without state judicial review. The Court affirmed that state courts can review legislative actions for compliance with state constitutions. This decision maintains the balance of power between state legislatures and courts under the federal Constitution.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Moore v. Harper.
The Court held that the Elections Clause does not vest exclusive and independent authority in state legislatures to set rules regarding federal elections.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Moore v. Harper. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Judicial Review is relevant to Moore v. Harper
The case primarily addresses whether state courts can review and invalidate state legislative actions under the Elections Clause.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review.
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Why Voting Rights is relevant to Moore v. Harper
The case involves the regulation of federal elections and the role of state legislatures and courts in determining election laws.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Elections Clause provides: 'The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.'
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Why State–Federal Power is relevant to Moore v. Harper
The case examines the balance of power between state legislatures and state courts under the federal Constitution.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The question on the merits is whether the Elections Clause insulates state legislatures from review by state courts for compliance with state law.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Moore v. Harper that support the summary and concepts above.
The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review.
State courts retain the authority to apply state constitutional restraints when legislatures act under the power conferred upon them by the Elections Clause.
Federal courts must not abandon their own duty to exercise judicial review.
