Context:

The Supreme Court reached a 4-4 deadlock in a significant case regarding the nation's first religious charter school, which leaves an Oklahoma court's decision intact that the proposed Catholic school is unconstitutional. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case, likely due to her connections to the attorneys involved, resulting in the even split. The ruling from Oklahoma's top court, which now remains effective, had previously blocked the establishment of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. This deadlock means that without a majority decision, the Supreme Court could not overturn the lower court's ruling. The situation underscores ongoing debates about the constitutionality of religious charter schools in the United States.

Dive Deeper:

• The Supreme Court was evenly divided, with a 4-4 vote, on the issue of the nation's first religious charter school, which leaves a lower court's ruling in place that found the school unconstitutional.

• Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case, which led to the deadlock. Her ties to the attorneys representing the school's interests were likely factors in her decision to step aside.

• The case involved the proposed St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which had been deemed unconstitutional by Oklahoma's highest court prior to the Supreme Court's involvement.

• The Supreme Court's inability to reach a majority decision means the lower court's ruling stands, effectively blocking the establishment of the religious charter school.

• This development highlights the complex legal and constitutional questions surrounding the establishment of religious charter schools in the United States and their interaction with state and federal laws.