Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died on Saturday at a resort in Texas. His death quickly set off debate over a new nomination, with prominent Republicans calling for the next president to make a nomination. President Obama said he would nominate a new justice despite objections.
What Happens in a 4-4 Tie?
Justice Antonin Scalia’s death opens the possibility that the Supreme Court could rule 4-4 in a case before a replacement is confirmed.
If that were to happen, the decision of the lower court would stand. The decision would be binding on the immediate parties but would not set a national precedent, as a normal Supreme Court decision would.
It would be as if the court never ruled at all.