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Bradley professor speaks on the future of the Supreme Court

At the discussion Wednesday titled “The future of the Supreme Court: Why it matters who wins the 2016 presidential election,” an attendee asks Craig Curtis, acting director of the Pre-Law Center, a question. Photo by Tori Moses.
At the discussion Wednesday titled “The future of the Supreme Court: Why it matters who wins the 2016 presidential election,” an attendee asks Craig Curtis, acting director of the Pre-Law Center, a question. Photo by Tori Moses.

The unexpected death of Justice Antonin Scalia (R) places a huge importance on the 2016 presidential race, according to one Bradley professor, as it leaves four members of the court Republicans and four Democrats.

Craig Curtis, acting director of the Pre-Law Center, led a discussion entitled “The future of the Supreme Court: Why it matters who wins the 2016 presidential election” Wednesday night in the Student Center Executive Lounge.

“I’m an old guy; I very distinctly remember the 1968 election,” Curtis said. “It was the first election I really paid attention. That election was as much about the Supreme Court as it was about Democrats and Republicans, and for, I’d say, the first time since that time, we have an election that is overtly about the Supreme Court.”

Curtis handed out informational sheets explaining six of the pending cases before the Supreme Court, covering issues such as immigration policy, abortion and access to contraception under the Affordable Care Act.

“We are in a bit of a pickle [because] we have the potential for tie votes,” Curtis said.

A tied vote would mean the lower court’s ruling stands, but no precedent for future cases would be set.

“I was surprised with how many different implications this seat has,” Dan Kubik, a senior electrical engineering major, said. “I know the media has talked about it a little bit, but the speaker went through all these different points and these different cases that make a difference based off that one seat.”

President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland, who is currently the chief judge in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, for the vacant seat, but Curtis said he thinks the decision will be up to Obama’s successor.

“I would give [Garland’s] chances at less than 10 percent,” Curtis said. “I really don’t think that [the Senate majority leader] and [the New York Democratic senator] can really back away. They’ve made a very strong public statement: ‘We will not give any hearing.'”

Curtis said it is likely the new president would be able to create an advantage for Democrats or Republicans by weighing in on more than just one Supreme Court seat, as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (D) is 83 and a two time cancer survivor, Justice Anthony Kennedy (R) is 80 this July and Justice Stephen Breyer (D) is 78 this August.

Some students, however, do not think this is the case.

“I’m not sure I’m convinced their Republican or Democratic position makes a difference,” Kubik said. “It sounds like they can switch and that some justices have switched, so maybe they are making a bigger deal out of it.”

Curtis’ speech was interactive as it included many questions and comments from students, faculty and staff present, and he encouraged individuals to stay and ask him questions after the event ended.

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