- United States
- Letter
Restore Supreme Court legitimacy through balanced judicial expansion
To: Pres. Biden
From: A verified voter in Pittsburgh, PA
November 6
The Supreme Court plays a vital role in upholding the principles of our Constitution and protecting the rights of all Americans. Its composition has fluctuated throughout history, as Congress has exercised its authority to expand or contract the number of seats. Considering the current ideological imbalance and the potential for this divide to deepen in the coming years, expanding the Court emerges as a reasonable course of action to restore its integrity and credibility. The present 5-4 conservative majority does not align with the will of the majority of voters, given that Republican presidential candidates have lost the popular vote in most recent elections. This disconnect threatens the Court's legitimacy as an impartial arbiter. Moreover, the controversies surrounding recent confirmations have further eroded public trust. To rectify this situation, several proposals merit consideration. Increasing the number of seats by two, four, or six justices could counterbalance the current ideological tilt. Alternatively, reconstituting the Court akin to a federal appeals court, with larger panels chosen from an expanded bench, could enhance its efficiency and impartiality. More ambitious options include a lottery system or a "Balanced Bench" approach explicitly accounting for partisan representation. While Court expansion is not without controversy, its historical precedence and the urgency of the current circumstances demand bold action. Failing to address the growing democratic deficit could irrevocably undermine the Supreme Court's standing and authority. I urge you to carefully evaluate these proposals and take decisive steps to safeguard the Court's legitimacy before it is too late.