The Supreme Court, once anchored by conservative centrists like Sandra Day O’Connor and Anthony Kennedy, has undergone a significant shift to the right. Today’s justices are divided 6-3 along ideological lines, with the conservative bloc often ruling in favor of limiting voting rights and expanding presidential power.

Impact on Voting Rights

The Court’s recent decisions, such as the Louisiana and Alabama voting-rights cases, have made it more difficult to remedy intentional race discrimination in redistricting. These rulings have disrupted electoral practices across the country, largely benefiting Republicans.

The Court’s conservative majority has also led to the reversal of landmark rulings, including Roe v. Wade and affirmative action in higher education. These decisions reflect a mindset that prioritizes conservative ideology over pragmatic considerations.

Loss of Pragmatic Center

The disappearance of a constructive center on the Court has contributed to the current testiness in written opinions and difficulties in resolving cases. Justices like O’Connor and Kennedy, who cared about the Court’s reputation and the country’s perception of it, are no longer present to provide a moderating influence.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who succeeded the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has not filled the void left by O’Connor and Kennedy. While Barrett has occasionally sided with the left in select cases, her motivation is rooted in her textualist methodology rather than pragmatism.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.