how long until the SCOTUS must accept or deny taking the case? Sorry for not being up to speed... been a busy few days!
Whenever they feel like it. More likely they will decide either at tomorrow's regular conference, or after they receive Texas' response to the four states briefs.
The Ohio brief stated that SCOTUS could not order Ohio to have their Legislature select electors. He Ohio AG is correct. But, if the Court decides that the four States acted against the Constitution, they can order them to set aside their election certification and then have their Legislature choose an elector slate, vote again by following the law, or do nothing. If they do nothing, then their state electors would not be able to cast their votes. If the Electoral College votes with missing states and if none of the candidates receive 270 electoral votes, the the election goes to the new House of Representative who will vote by state delegation with each state receiving one vote. The winner of this contest will be the President.