With midterm elections approaching, Democrats have put forward several proposals to alter the Supreme Court’s structure and operations.
Expansion of the Court: One significant proposal calls for increasing the number of Supreme Court justices from the current nine to 13. This change aims to reshape the Court’s ideological balance.
Term Limits: Another proposal suggests reducing the justices’ lifetime tenure to 18 years. This measure would introduce periodic appointments, potentially changing the Court’s dynamics over time.
Ethics and Standards: Other reforms include establishing a binding ethics code for justices and setting standards for how the Court handles cases on its “shadow docket.” The goal is to enhance transparency and accountability in the Court’s operations.
Demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court in October 2025 after conservative justices indicated possible restrictions on forming majority-Black and majority-Hispanic voting districts.
This backdrop of activism influences ongoing discussions about the Court’s future.