Look at the recent cases by the Supreme Court – those decided within the last five years – and decide which one is the most important and/or the one that interests you the most regarding voting.

Introduction
Voting rights are critical to the future of the United States. The decision as to who can vote, when they can vote, and how they can vote will impact elections that will decide who becomes an elected official to hold office. Those in office will in turn decide the future of so many issues discussed throughout the seven weeks of this course, and many others not addressed. Yet, these issues – including those that involve voting – will often be decided in the courts. It is here that the laws and other issues will be decided as to their legality. Perhaps there are few other areas as the decisions regarding voting that the Supreme Court will have its greatest impact. This is especially true in a Covid-19 era where voting by mail, the culling of votes, and voter ID laws have come front and center. Each of these areas will likely continue to be litigated within the courts. The decisions made will have a profound impact on nearly every person living in the United States, as the justices themselves are appointed by elected officials who were themselves elected to office under rules concerning voting. Therefore, as you decide the case that you will study, look at which one you believe is the most important, and explore its impact on the future of voting in the United States.

Activity Look at the recent cases by the Supreme Court – those decided within the last five years – and decide which one is the most important and/or the one that interests you the most regarding voting. Was it based on voter ID laws, immigration status, mail-in ballots, culling laws, the money spent on an election(s), or something else? Who decided the case and wrote its primary opinion? Were politics involved? Why did you decide to take this case?

Write a FINAL research paper (5-7 pages; with approximately 300 words per page) on a recent Supreme Court decision regarding voting rights. Has Chief Justice John Roberts changed how such cases will be decided? (Chapter 15) Evaluate how this constitutional issue affects your and/or your family’s daily life. In your response, be sure to draw upon your knowledge of the concepts, institutions, and officials who make up the branches of government as they have been presented in our resources for this and prior weeks.

Consider the following questions as you formulate your outline and your paper:

What are the key issues?
How will they impact voting rights?
Why was this case brought to the Supreme Court?
Who are the litigants?
How was the case decided?
Which members were on what side (majority or dissent) and how did their own political views likely influence how they voted?
What are some of the long-term impacts of this decision?

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