[Dr. Franklin]

What’s the ideological make-up of the 3rd circuit?

Active judges per WP are 8 Republican appointees to 6 Dems: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Third_Circuit#Current_composition_of_the_court

And did they do this to keep Alito from snapping it up?

Well, they can't. If the clock is running out, which it is, and SCOTUS wants to hear the case, Alito as Circuit Judge can issue the stay himself pending further action by the full court. Stay tuned.

[Tommy Revolts]

And did they do this to keep Alito from snapping it up?

Thank you Dr. Franklin for explaining this. See my post reply #17.