Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/21pdf/21a772_h3dj.pdf
Page Number: 1

Cite as:  596 U. S. ____ (2022) 

1 

ALITO, J., dissenting 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 

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No. 21A772 
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DAVID RITTER v. LINDA MIGLIORI, ET AL. 

ON APPLICATION FOR STAY 

[June 9, 2022] 

The application for stay presented to JUSTICE ALITO and 
by him referred to the Court is denied.  The order heretofore 
entered by JUSTICE ALITO is vacated. 

JUSTICE  ALITO,  with  whom  JUSTICE  THOMAS  and 
JUSTICE  GORSUCH  join,  dissenting  from  the  denial  of  the 
application for stay. 

This application for a stay pending certiorari involves the 
counting of undated mail-in ballots in one state-court judi-
cial election.  A stay pending certiorari is appropriate only
if the Court is likely to grant review; certiorari is discretion-
ary; and the Court now denies the stay.  I would agree with
that decision were it not for concern about the effect that 
the  Third  Circuit’s 
interpretation  of  52  U. S. C. 
§10101(a)(2)(B) may have in the federal and state elections 
that will be held in Pennsylvania in November. 

The Third Circuit’s interpretation broke new ground, and
at this juncture, it appears to me that that interpretation is
very likely wrong.  If left undisturbed, it could well affect 
the outcome of the fall elections, and it would be far better 
for us to address that interpretation before, rather than af-
ter, it has that effect.  I would therefore enter a stay pend-
ing certiorari and advise that any petition for certiorari and
brief in opposition should be filed expeditiously.  If that is 
done, the Court will be in a position to grant review, set an
expedited briefing schedule, and if necessary, set the case 
for argument in October.