There are no predictable issues over the election that will go to the Supreme Court..that is just the hyperbole being spread to make people scared. Whoever wins will win cleanly with no close ties like in Bush v. Gore.
Even so, the court is 8 justices with 5 conservatives and 3 liberals I believe. RBG's death only swung the balance of power more in conservatives court so to speak...
The political bent of a judge should play no part in their decisions in any case. That is why Lady Justice is blindfolded. No prejudice.
With that in mind, assuming the people on the highest bench in the land can truly engage the ultra-high intellect required to perform their jobs, then we need number 9, in case the court gets a split decision. That cannot stand...It would disrupt the whole process.
In truth, the only people who should be a judge on any level is anyone who can think like a robot, or Commander Data. Complete objectivity is required. Alas, there are very few humans who have that level of control over their own ego.
#sad