There's an interesting wrinkle in the timing of the court challenge to I-960: the possibility that the court could toss the measure out but that voters would still vote on it anyway.

It all depends on how quickly the court rules.

Stay with me on this:

-The hearing's set for Sept. 6,

-The final possible day for the state to certify the candidates and ballot measure for November is Sept. 12,

-But "the practical reality," according to Katie Blinn, with the Secretary of State's office, "is that county auditors will be formatting their general election ballots even before" Sept. 5. They want to get the ballots printed as early as possible to get them to military and overseas voters.

In similar situations in the past, the court has issued a quick, abbreviated ruling -- no opinions, just a yes/no decision, usually issued by the chief justice -- with the usual opinion, concurrences and dissents following weeks later.

---

---