[Caipirabob]

Vinson is a judge in the Northern District of Florida. Currently, his decision only applies to that area.

I have to ask - Why then would 26 states be involved in a lawsuit that would serve them no purpose?

I think this impacts each state involved. It was a Federal judge and per his ruling the law no longer exists. It cannot exist in one district and not another.

[Caipirabob]

In fact, the more I look into this, a Federal judge issue the ruling as representative of the Federal government en toto: The law no longer exists.

[justlurking]

I have to ask - Why then would 26 states be involved in a lawsuit that would serve them no purpose?

I believe it's because they felt if they combined their efforts in a friendly district, they would have a better chance of succeeding and setting a precedent that would make it to the Supreme Court.

It cannot exist in one district and not another.

Yes, it can. I can cite cases where that's true, because the US government declined to appeal, apparently because they didn't want to risk widening the scope of the decision.

Look up US vs. Rock Island Armory.