Top Supreme Court cases to watch this year

One of the most significant cases the nine justices will consider is the legality of state bans on medical treatment for transgender children. The high court will also consider two cases that could reshape gun regulations, including those related to ghost guns, and redefine corporate liability in the technology sector.

Depending on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Supreme Court may also be asked to decide election-related disputes that test the limits of the law on the counting of elections, which would add to an already dramatic problem. summer of Trump-related decisions.

The term begins amid Democratic-led scrutiny of the high court’s transparency and impartiality. Controversies over undisclosed gifts to conservative judges and polarizing rulings have rejuvenated calls from some Democrats to pack the Supreme Court, which is made up of a 6-3 Republican-appointed majority.

According to a July 2024 Pew Research survey, 47% of the nation had a favorable opinion of the high court after one consecutive term, not far from the historic lows recorded just after the 2022 decision was overturned. Roe v. Wade. The most recent term ended this summer with decisions on presidential immunity, access to abortion medications and gun restrictions for people under domestic violence restraining orders .

Here are some of the key cases the court will consider during this period:

Tennessee bans gender transition treatment for minors

In United States v. SkrmettiThe Supreme Court will review Tennessee’s law banning transgender medical treatments, such as puberty blockers and gender transition surgeries, for minors. It’s the first time the justices will weigh the constitutionality of such bans, which have been enacted in several Republican-led states. The Biden-Harris administration argues that the law violates the Equal Protection Clause by discriminating against transgender people, while Tennessee defends it as necessary to protect children from potentially irreversible treatment.

No court date has yet been set.

Ghost Gun Regulations

In Garland v. VanDerStokThe high court will consider a challenge to the Biden-Harris administration’s rule regulating ghost guns, which are untraceable firearms that can be assembled from kits. The rule requires that key components be serialized and sold with a background check. The regulation, aimed at reducing gun violence, has faced opposition from gun manufacturers and owners, who say it oversteps the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Arms fire and explosives.

The justices will hear oral arguments on October 8 in the case.

Checking the age of a pornographic website

The high court will weigh the legality of a Texas law that requires age verification of users of pornographic websites such as Pornhub in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton. While Texas maintains the law is necessary to protect minors, critics argue it infringes on adults’ First Amendment rights and raises privacy concerns about submitting personal information.

No court date has yet been set.

Flavored vapes and e-cigarettes

In Food and Drug Administration v. Salaries and investments of the White LionThe Supreme Court will evaluate the FDA’s rejection of applications to market flavored electronic cigarettes. The FDA says these products attract minors, while the companies say the agency imposed new requirements without notice.

No court date has yet been set.

Meta’s appeal in the Cambridge Analytica scandal

Meta will appeal a class action lawsuit arising from the Cambridge Analytica scandal in Amalgamated Bank v. Meta. Shareholders claim Meta misled them about data security risks, resulting in financial losses. Meta says it should not be held responsible for disclosing past incidents that no longer pose a threat.

The justices will hear oral arguments on November 6.

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For now, the list is short, as judges are always willing to add 30 or more cases. So far, the Supreme Court has only retained 28 cases for review on the merits, just under half its average caseload in recent years.

Other cases are expected to be granted just before or on October 7, the day the High Court’s term begins.