Paxton sued to throw out 2020 election results in four states. The Supreme Court rejected it in three days.
In December 2020, Paxton asked the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out how Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin ran the presidential election. The Court refused to hear the case, ruling that Texas had no right to challenge other states’ elections, and no justice supported what he asked for.
What happened
On Dec. 8, 2020, Paxton filed an original lawsuit directly in the U.S. Supreme Court against Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The suit argued that pandemic-era changes to election procedures in those states were unlawful and cast doubt on their presidential results. 02
On Dec. 11, 2020, the Court denied Texas permission to file the case. Its order said Texas lacked standing because it “has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections.” All other motions were dismissed as moot. 01
Justices Alito and Thomas said they would have allowed the complaint to be filed on procedural grounds, but added that they “would not grant other relief.” 01
Why it matters
Paxton used the Texas attorney general’s office to try to set aside millions of votes cast in other states. The State Bar of Texas later brought a misconduct case over the filing. 01
Timeline
- Paxton sues to throw out 2020 election results in four states
- Supreme Court throws out Paxton’s 2020 election suit
What the sources show
The Supreme Court’s order list for Dec. 11, 2020 (No. 155, Orig.) denies the motion for lack of standing. Justices Alito and Thomas wrote that they would have allowed the filing but would not have granted other relief. 01 Contemporaneous reporting confirms the filing date, the four states and Paxton’s response. 02
Paxton’s response
Paxton said he regretted that the Court did not take the case. 02
Sources
- 01Order List, Dec. 11, 2020 — No. 155, Orig., Texas v. PennsylvaniaSupreme Court of the United States · Dec. 11, 2020
- 02U.S. Supreme Court throws out Texas lawsuit contesting election resultsThe Texas Tribune · Dec. 11, 2020
Updates and corrections
- Case file published.