Supreme Court Convenes for Pivotal Term

What happened

The US Supreme Court has begun its 2026-27 term, with a docket featuring several high-profile cases that could have significant impacts on the law and the public. The term started with arguments in Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, which concerns whether federal law prevents local and state governments from seeking financial compensation from energy companies for alleged climate change harms.

Other notable cases include Viramontes v. Cook County, which involves a challenge to bans on AR-15s and similar semiautomatic rifles in Illinois and Connecticut, and St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, which centers on whether states can deny public funding to religious schools that refuse to enroll children of same-sex couples.

The Court will also hear arguments in International Partners for Ethical Care, Inc. v. Ferguson, which concerns parental rights and the ability of states to allow minors to receive gender-affirming treatment without parental consent. Additionally, the Court will consider Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota, which asks whether the National Voter Registration Act blocks Arizona from enforcing proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration.

These cases, among others, are expected to be decided by late June or early July, and their outcomes could have far-reaching consequences for various aspects of American life, including gun rights, religious liberty, and election law.