WASHINGTON (AP) — With health care reform in the rear-view mirror, the U.S. Supreme Court is about to embark on a term that could be just as important as the last one.
One of the first cases the court will take up is the limited use of race to help fill out incoming classes at the University of Texas. The outcome could further limit or even end the use of racial preferences in college admissions.
The court is also likely to consider at least one of the many appeals pending at the high court on gay marriage, such as an amendment to the California constitution outlawing same-sex marriage that federal courts have struck down.
Another hot topic with appeals pending before the high court is the Voting Rights Act, a cornerstone law of the civil rights movement. It requires jurisdictions with a history of racial and ethnic discrimination to get advance approval from the Justice Department before making any changes that affect elections.
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126-v-31-(Bryant Thomas, AP correspondent)--The U.S. Supreme Court kicks off another term Monday. AP Radio's Bryant Thomas has a preview. (29 Sep 2012)
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127-c-16-(Bryant Thomas, AP correspondent)-"in Southern states"-AP Radio's Bryant Thomas reports this term could be as significant as the last one. (29 Sep 2012)
<<CUT *127 (09/29/12)>> 00:16 "in Southern states"
128-c-16-(Bryant Thomas, AP correspondent)-"ruled it unconstitutional"-AP Radio's Bryant Thomas reports on some of the issues the high court could decide. (29 Sep 2012)
<<CUT *128 (09/29/12)>> 00:16 "ruled it unconstitutional"
APPHOTO WX110: FILE - This Oct. 8, 2010 file photo shows the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court in a group portrait at the Supreme Court Building in Washington. The Supreme Court is embarking on a new term beginning Monday that could be as consequential as the last one with the prospect for major rulings about affirmative action, gay marriage and voting rights. Seated from left to right are: Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Standing, from left are: Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, Associate Justice Samuel Alito Jr., and Associate Justice Elena Kagan. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (8 Oct 2010)
<<APPHOTO WX110 (10/08/10)>>
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