Supreme Court May Face Extended Period With 8 Justices

Is eight enough? The Supreme Court has managed to function effectively at less than its full nine-member strength for two extended periods in the past 50 years.
Supreme Court May Face Extended Period With 8 Justices
The Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2016. AP Photo/Jon Elswick
The Associated Press
Updated:

WASHINGTON—Is eight enough?

The Supreme Court has managed to function effectively at less than its full nine-member strength for two extended periods in the past 50 years. The question now is whether the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in the middle of the court term and a polarizing presidential campaign will make it harder for the justices to get their work done.

Scalia’s colleagues will mourn their longtime friend and fellow justice this week before resuming their work on a lineup of cases fraught with political implications. Their test will be whether they can reach decisions in cases involving abortion, labor unions, President Barack Obama’s health care law, voting rights, immigration and other topics without reaching an inconclusive 4 to 4 vote.

Adding spice to the mix is the unusual makeup of the court, with four liberal-leaning Democratic appointees and four conservative-leaning Republican appointees.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is interviewed by The Associated Press at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on July 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is interviewed by The Associated Press at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on July 26, 2012. AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari