The U.S. Supreme Court issued 2 key Constitutional decisions within 2 days during summer 2013. Both were 5-4 decisions.

On June 25, 2013, in Shelby County v. Holder, they struck down a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, designed to prohibit discrimination in voting by requiring federal oversight of elections, particularly in states with a history of discriminatory voting practices. The decision can be seen as a victory for the south and a setback for minority groups which have suffered voting discrimination. The case can be viewed at: link to Shelby County case

On June 26, 2013, in U.S. v. Windsor, they determined that the Defense of Marriage Act, enacted by Congress in 1996, violates the Constitutions equal protection clause by defining marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman and denying federal benefits to same-sex couples married under state law. The decision can be seen as a victory for the same-sex community. The case can be viewed at: link to Windsor case

Shelby County is characterized as a conservative decision.

1. Give a reason it would be considered conservative.

Windsor is characterized as a liberal decision.

2. Give a reason it would be considered liberal.

Using the link to Oyez site links above, answer the following:

3. Oyez allows you to sort the Justices voting by ideology. Examine the voting by

ideology for both cases. Which 4 Justices on the court in 2013 appeared solid on the conservative side and which 4 were solid on the liberal side?

Identify the President who appointed each of these Justices and whether he was a

Republican or Democrat. (Use Google or information about the Justices on Oyez).

4. Which Justice was the crucial swing vote resulting in one conservative decision and

one liberal decision?

Was he appointed by a Republican or Democrat?