Bloomberg: State High Court Races Matter More ‘Than Ever’ In Post-Roe Era

State supreme court elections in four states this fall could shake up which party controls the court of last resort for a host of issues—including abortion—for roughly an eighth of the US population.

Races in Michigan, North Carolina, and Illinois have the potential to change each state’s highest court from Democratic to Republican control, while Ohio could see Democrats take the majority from Republicans. The campaigns are being closely watched for their potential to upend how disputes are settled over everything from the way congressional district maps are drawn to which votes are counted in presidential elections. …

Redistricting is a hyper-partisan issue in the state that’s likely to have a direct but unpredictable impact on the races this year, said Catherine Turcer, executive director of Common Cause Ohio.

Only one Republican justice, Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, ruled against the GOP-controlled Ohio Redistricting Commission. She must retire this year due to age restrictions, meaning a new GOP replacement could clear the legislature to draw lines without court interference.

Turcer noted this is the first time justices are running with their party affiliations on the ballot.