Earlier today the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a challenge to the 1965 Voting Rights Act; it said that states with a history of discrimination in voting must get advance approval if they are to make changes in the way elections are conducted. But the court seemed to sidestep the bigger issue of whether there have been enough gains in civil rights that let states make changes in the '65 act without such advance approval.

That leaves just two more decision days by the court before the current term ends. Barbara Campbell, NPR's editor on all things Supreme Court, lists the remaining major cases to be decided:

07-591 Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts: Tests whether lab analysts have to appear in court and be cross-examined when their reports are entered as evidence against a defendant. Does the defendant have a right to confront his accuser? Argued Nov. 10, 2008.

08-205 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission: This further challenge to the campaign reform act tests whether Hillary the Movie is subject to regulation since it doesn't urge a vote against her, except by implication. Argued Mar 24.

08-289 Horne v. Flores: Tests whether Arizona is providing enough English learner programs under federal law. Argued April 20.

08-479 Safford Unified School v. Redding: Tests whether Arizona school officials violated a 13-year-old girl's constitutional rights when they strip-searched her looking for ibuprofen. Argued April 21.

07-1428 Ricci v. Destefano: Tests whether the New Haven, Conn., fire department discriminated against top-scoring white firefighters by canceling promotions to look at revamping the test to help minorities. A panel of federal appeals court judges (including Sonia Sotomayor) ruled for the city. Argued April 22.

08-453 Cuomo v. Clearing House: Tests whether the New York attorney general is allowed to investigate whether banks engage in racially discriminatory mortgage lending practices, or if that is solely federal jurisdiction. The larger issue is federal pre-emption of state power regarding banks. Argued April 28.

categories: Approaching the Bench

2:52 - June 22, 2009

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