The Court's Argument on Delegated Power to States

The court argues that states lack the authority to enforce section 3 of the 14th Amendment against federal office holders or candidates as the Constitution does not affirmatively delegate such power. They contend that the text of the amendment only empowers Congress to remove disabilities by two-thirds vote, not the states. The court maintains that granting states such authority would undermine the rebalancing of federal and state power intended by the 14th Amendment, relying on an originalist interpretation of text, history, and structure.