<p>Given the outcry directed at the U.S. Supreme Court after it ended the 2000 Florida recount, we'd understand if the Justices aren't too keen on getting involved in another election dispute.</p>
<p>But when it comes to the Republican appeal yesterday of the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision to allow a late switch on the state ballot, we don't think they have much of a choice. Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution specifically delegates to state legislatures, not to state governments as a whole, the authority over the "times, places and manner" of holding Senatorial elections. As such, the "equitable powers" invoked by the New Jersey court to "liberally construe" this particular law simply do not exist.</p>