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OPINION ANALYSIS

Court rules for South Carolina Republicans in dispute over congressional map

at 4:23 p.m.

In a 6-3 vote on ideological lines on Thursday, the justices threw out a lower court ruling that a congressional district in South Carolina was drawn with an unconstitutional focus on race. The opinion by Justice Samuel Alito clears the way for the state to use the map – which, Alito said, was drawn for political reasons, to create a more Republican district, rather than based on the race of voters. The opinion also sets a high bar for plaintiffs to meet in future racial gerrymandering cases.

The Supreme Court building

The justices ruled in Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP on Thursday. (J Main via Shutterstock)

PETITIONS OF THE WEEK

Arizona’s life-without-parole sentencing scheme for youths

 at 1:22 p.m.

A weekly look at new and notable petitions seeking Supreme Court review. This week: In 2012 the court barred mandatory life sentences for youths. Lonnie Bassett now ask the justices to consider whether an Arizona sentencing law violates that precedent for youths convicted of first-degree murder because the state separately abolished parole for all homicides.

SCOTUS NEWS

Justices turn down parents’ challenge to school support plans for trans students

at 10:55 a.m.

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a challenge brought by three parents to guidelines put in place by a Maryland county outside of Washington, D.C. to create support plans for transgender students without requiring knowledge or consent from students’ parents. The court did not add any cases to its 2024-25 docket.

OPINION ANALYSIS

Justices dubious about dismissing suits while waiting for arbitration

 at 3:37 p.m.

In Smith v. Spizziri, the justices were considering whether a court that refers a case to arbitration should stay the case while the arbitration proceeds or instead has the power to dismiss it. The court unanimously concluded that the trial court should stay the matter but not dismiss it.

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