Abortion, Immigration Among Upcoming U.S. Supreme Court Cases That Could Impact North Carolina

A New York Times reporter who covers the U.S. Supreme Court is speaking at Elon School of Law in Greensboro Tuesday night. Adam Liptak says several cases this term could have national implications for states, including North Carolina.

This year, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear half a dozen really big cases. There's a challenge to President Obama's immigration plan that will affect four or five million people living here.

Another one involves affirmative action and there's a controversial case over public unions.  But one issue that's expected to take center stage is abortion.  New York Times correspondent Adam Liptak says a Texas case will determine the constitutionality of other state's abortion legislation.

“Many legislators are experimenting on how much they can get away with, how far they can push restrictions on abortion,” says Liptak.  “When the court decides when a Texas law that restricts abortion clinics in a couple of important ways does or does not impose an undue burden, it will affect not only Texas, where it has the potential to drive the number of abortion clinics from 40 to about 10, but all kinds of abortion restrictions all over the country.”

North Carolina recently passed what critics say is one of the strictest abortion laws in the country. It includes longer waiting periods for the procedure – 72 hours instead of 24.

As for the makeup of today's court, Liptak says it's more diverse than it's ever been. He adds the upcoming presidential election will have a big impact on what the court looks like in the near future.

“Four of the justices are 78 years old or older. This next president could appoint one or more and it would take one opportunity for a Democratic president to replace one of the Republican appointees or the other way around for there be a fundamental shift on issues like campaign finance and gun rights,” says Liptak.

When asked about North Carolina's new Voter ID law that's being challenged in federal court. Liptak says, “Voter ID is an issue the court really needs to return to. The North Carolina case is certainly a likely case for the court to take a look at maybe next term.” He adds, “The court has issued a case on a very thin record saying that a Voter ID law was OK, but I think the court is going to have to take a more careful, textured look at it.”

Each year, the justices review thousands of petitions to hear appeal cases. But only one in 100 will be heard.

Adam Liptak will speak at Elon School of  Law Tuesday at 7 p.m.

*Follow Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news