Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has signed onto a letter urging the U.S. Senate to press forward with the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barret to the U.S. Supreme Court before the November election.
The letter, signed by mostly Republican secretaries of state, argues that the nation's highest court must have its full nine members ahead of what's expected to be a competitive and highly-litigated presidential election.
"In the case an election issue is challenged in court, America cannot afford a tie vote," the letter reads. "We must be able to report election results in a timely, secure and efficient manner as we have done before."
LaRose, who faces several election-related lawsuits of his own, says he agrees with the need for urgency.
“I don’t think we should continue with an eight-member court," LaRose says.
The letter is addressed to Sen. Lindsey Graham, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. It goes on to praise Barrett for her experience as a litigator and University of Notre Dame professor, and her belief that "judges are not policymakers, nor judicial activists."
Confirmation hearings for Barrett, who would take the seat left vacant by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, are set to begin on October 12.
Democrats say it’s too dangerous for the hearings right now, noting the Senate has closed its other operations due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
