What is the job approval rating of the U.S. Supreme Court?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
According to the visual above, what portion of Americans approve of the way the Supreme Court is handling its job?
Based on the data from the visual above, over the past 25 years describe one trend in approval of the Supreme Court?
The current rating ties the court’s record-low job score over the past two decades. Why do you think the Supreme Court has its lowest approval in a generation?
Based on the visual below, how does political party affiliation impact approval of the Court?*
The Supreme Court is the highest part of the federal judiciary, which also includes U.S. federal district Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and all federal pickleball courts. How do you think the approval of the federal judiciary compares to approval of the other branches of government?*
In a way, approval ratings are very important to Congress, the President, and elected officials. Explain why approval ratings don’t always matter to the Supreme Court.
Despite this, some members of the Supreme Court are very concerned about public approval, arguing that the court’s legitimacy (public perception and approval) is what gives force to its rulings. After all, the Coourt cannot enforce it’s own rulings, only the executive branch can enforce a law or ruling. What would happen if the general public had low or no confidence in the Court
Explain whether you approve or disapprove of how the Supreme Court is handling its job. And just what is the Supreme Court’s job, anyway?
The Court currently consists of 6 Republicans and 3 Democrats; 6 males and 3 females, and 2 non-Whites and 7 Whites. Why do you think the Court is so unrepresentative of America.
“John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.” was famously uttered by President Andrew Jackson in response to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall’s 1832 decision in Worcester v. Georgia. What did President Jackson mean by this and how does it illustrate the concept of separation of powers?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Contact the Supreme Court and tell them whether you approve of its handling of its job.
General Contact Information:
U.S. Mail:
Supreme Court of the United States
1 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20543
Telephone: 202-479-3000
TTY: 202-479-3472
(Available M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. eastern)
They don’t do email!!!!! The Court definitely doesn’t have a TikTok.
Get Creative
The Court opens its annual term on the first Monday in October. Describe how you plan on celebrating this year’s start of the Supreme Court.
Learn More
Read the Gallup survey on Approval of the Supreme Court. Or check out this interactive guide to where the Supreme Court Justices sit during oral arguments.
