The Supreme Court now has an opportunity to reaffirm that “Election Day” means what it says under federal law. Counting ballots received after Election Day not only violates federal law but encourages voter fraud and undermines voter confidence. The Supreme Court should uphold the historic decision by the Fifth Circuit that sensibly concluded that counting ballots received after Election Day is unlawful.
The October 2024, Fifth Circuit appellate opinion found:
The “Medical Aid in Dying Act,” otherwise known as physician-assisted suicide, [assisted suicide, and euthanasia,] is a proposal that should not be taken lightly. I believe this proposal is not in New Yorkers’ best interest as it currently does not address significant risk factors associated with its passage that could carry unintended and potentially dangerous consequences.
The Medical Aid in Dying Act stipulates two things:
A mentally competent, terminally ill adult with a prognosis of six months or less to live may request life-ending medication from their treating physician they can self-administer to cause their death; and
Certain protections and immunities are provided to health care providers and other persons, including a physician who prescribes medication to the terminally ill patient to be self-administered in compliance with the provisions of the proposal.
The pardon of Michelino Sunseri comes after Wyoming Republican U.S. House Rep. Harriet Hageman said she was investigating the case as a possible instance of overzealous prosecution.
"We are thrilled that Michelino's nightmare is over, but we're not done fighting against unconstitutional regulations that give low-level park officials the power to criminalize harmless conduct," said Michael Poon, an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation, which defended Sunseri. "We are ready to help other Americans who face criminal prosecution for breaking park rules that were illegally created."
