Supreme Court Rules on Tribal Recognition, Hears Death Row Case on Jury Bias, and Weighs Mail-in Ballot Deadlines

The US Supreme Court has seen several key developments in recent days. On Monday, the justices declined to hear the Chinook Indian Nation's petition for federal recognition through the courts, upholding a Ninth Circuit ruling that such decisions are a political matter for Congress and the executive branch, as reported by Tribal Business News. This leaves the tribe pursuing acknowledgment via legislative or administrative channels.

Tuesday brought arguments in a significant death row case from Mississippi involving Terry Pitchford, a Black inmate challenging his conviction over claims of racial bias in jury selection. The same prosecutor, Doug Evans, and judge previously drew Supreme Court scrutiny in the Curtis Flowers case, where Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted efforts to exclude Black jurors. Pitchford's appeal questions whether his lawyers adequately objected and if the state court properly reviewed the strikes, according to WSLS News. A decision could lead to his release or retrial.

The conservative majority appeared skeptical during oral arguments on late-arriving ballots in a Mississippi case, potentially invalidating grace periods in 14 states and D.C. for mail ballots post-Election Day, with impacts on military and overseas voters in 15 more states. Associated Press reports a ruling is expected by late June, in time for 2026 midterms, possibly reshaping absentee and early voting rules.

Earlier last week on March 25, the Court ruled that internet service providers are not liable for users' pirated music, per The Washington Post.

These cases highlight ongoing tensions around voting rights, racial justice in trials, tribal sovereignty, and digital liability, with no new opinions issued in the immediate past few days.

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