UPDATE TO THIS STORY: A tie vote by the Supreme Court is blocking President Barack Obama’s immigration plan that sought to shield millions living in the U.S. illegally from deportation.
An annual race takes place in early summer, with Supreme Court justices delivering decisions on their most contentious cases before completing a term.
This time around, as justices approach the finish line, court watchers await decisions on cases involving disputes over the regulation of abortion clinics, race in college admissions, protections for people living in the country without government permission and the corruption conviction of Virginia’s former governor.
Adding suspense to the climactic conclusion of the court’s term is that some cases could end in a 4-4 tie. Justice Antonin Scalia died in February and the U.S. Senate has yet to hold a hearing on the president’s nominee to succeed the conservative judge.
A look at some late-term decisions due from the court: