Dear Commons Community,

With one week remaining in its current term, the Supreme Court is set to hand down several high-stakes rulings in coming days.

The high court is first expected to rule in Fisher v. University of Texas, the case challenging the college’s use of race in its admissions criteria. The court heard oral arguments in the case last October, during which several justices sharply questioned affirmative action’s constitutionality.

The justices will then likely rule on Shelby County v. Holder, the challenge to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. At issue is whether it is constitutional for the federal government to require preclearance for voting system changes in districts and states with a history of racial discrimination.

Finally, the Supreme Court will decide on two landmark gay marriage cases — one on the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, and another on Proposition 8, California’s gay marriage ban.

Decisions typically come on Monday and Thursdays, and the court’s final scheduled session for this term is on June 24.    The court can decide to add several days to its term.

Tony