WASHINGTON (AP) – It happens every June. The Supreme Court nears the finish line with the most contentious cases still to be resolved.
This year is no exception. Among the court’s eight remaining cases are regulation of Texas abortion clinics, race in college admissions, protections for people living in the U.S. illegally and the public corruption conviction of Virginia’s former governor.
What is unusual is that the decisions are being made by eight justices since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February.
Some of those cases still could end in a 4-4 tie that would leave the lower court decision in place without setting a nationwide precedent. In rare instances, the justices will put off decisions and order a case to be argued again in the next term. But they may be less inclined to do that this year because it is unclear when a ninth justice will join the court. Senate Republicans are refusing to vote on the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to replace Scalia.
Late June often is when a retirement is announced, but voluntary departures from the court almost never happen in election years.