I obviously think I'm some kind of wonderful prognosticator, so here's an early, broad outline suggesting what's likely to happen related to the SCOTUS vacancy

 (Commentary, including reposted material. Temporarily posted.)

FWIW, I reserve the right to modify the outlined predictions, especially over the next few weeks:

(Sources reviewed for the following are linked:)

-- Donald Trump will likely nominate a woman. Here is a link to one current "short list". Part of the reason will be a cynical attempt to -- belatedly -- appeal to women voters.

-- Polling might help guide whether Republicans will nominate someone before Election Day, vs. shortly thereafter. (Caveat:) Reminder: Donald Trump likes to pick fights, divide...and he rarely "does the right thing". Mitch McConnell is one of his chief enablers. 

...Trump has already indicated that he wants a nomination 'without delay'. One report suggests a nomination announcement before the first presidential debate.

-- Trump (and Republicans) will use the SCOTUS battle to distract from other issues, including probably worsening overall U.S. COVID-19 numbers this fall.

via GIPHY

-- Democrats will fight hard to delay a SCOTUS nomination until at least after election day, if not further. Large/energetic protests are likely to occur at some point. Can Democrats convince the public that it's wrong to nominate/confirm someone before the election, and/or before (its) results are in? (Also ref. 'polling', above.) Conversely, Republicans (overall) may be willing to "go to the mat" over this nomination (i.e., almost "no matter what.."), as it seems to be a rare opportunity to shape the court for years.

-- (To Republicans' delight..) 'Obamacare' may be in peril. (Ref. link.)

-- Subject to revision in the weeks ahead, as things generally look right now, Donald Trump will lose the presidential election -- both by popular vote and in the electoral college. Complete voting results however, will not likely be available on or around November 3rd, leading to disputes and at least some delaying (..and dividing) tactics. Also: As things look right now the most likely election vote outcome for the U.S. Senate may be a 50-50 split. 

-- If you 'buy' the last prediction above, Democrats (in general) will subsequently fight with everything they can muster to delay the SCOTUS appointment until after the 2021 presidential inauguration. 

-- Ultimately, Democrats may be unable to prevent a SCOTUS nomination from Trump/Republicans prior to the 2021 inauguration. If they gain power, Dems. may (then) consider "structural changes", including expanding (or 'packing') the Supreme Court, ending the filibuster, etc.

....We will see how this develops...

via GIPHY