Thread by @sbauerAP

BREAKING NEWS:

Wisconsin Supreme Court won’t hear Trump election lawsuit, likely dooming state court case seeking to overturn loss

The court ruled 4-3 against taking the case as @realDonaldTrump had wanted

He's making similar claims in a federal court lawsuit that is pending

@realDonaldTrump Swing Justice Brian Hagedorn joined the three liberal justices in denying the petition

Three conservative justices dissented

Chief Justice Patience Roggensack, writing for the minority, says the court should have taken the case and ordered a circuit court to determine the facts and report back so the Supreme Court could quickly issue a ruling

Hagedorn disagreed:

“We do well as a judicial body to abide by time-tested judicial norms, even — and maybe especially — in high profile cases."

Roggensack noted that by not taking the case now, “there are significant time constraints that may preclude our deciding significant legal issues that cry out for resolution by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.”

The Electoral College votes on Dec. 14

Hagedorn, making a name for himself as a swing justice with a strict adherence to the law as written, says this:

"Following the law is not disregarding our duty, as some of the colleagues suggest. It is following the law."

Justice Rebecca Bradley, in a dissent joined by 2 other conservative justices, says not taking the case "leaves an indelible stain on our most recent election."

She says importance of the case "transcends the results of this particular election."

It's worth reiterating about the court's 4-3 decision today.

It was based solely on the question of whether the Wisconsin Supreme Court should take the case

The ruling was not on the merits of what Trump was arguing. Those questions, at least in court, remain open

Trump’s attorney Jim Troupis says he will immediately file the case in circuit court and expects to be back before the Supreme Court soon:

“It was clear from their writings that the court recognizes the seriousness of these issues, and we look forward to taking the next step."

Democratic @GovEvers praises the court's decision:

“I was frankly amazed that it was not unanimous."

Takeaways from today's order:

_ Trump didn't get what he wants, but he can fight again in lower court

_ Even if he makes it back to Supreme Court, 2 conservative justices voiced concerns about disqualifying 221,000 ballots as he wants

_ Justice Hagedorn is again deciding vote