Overview Of Federalism Implications In Decisions From The 2024 25

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 28, 2025, 2:56 PM

overview of federalism implications in decisions from the 2024 25

During the 2024 term, which ended on June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued several decisions that affected the balance of federalism, altering how authority is shared between states and the federal government. The rulings focused less on policy outcomes and more on procedural rules, addressing disputes over the proper use of judicial remedies, the scope of federal agencies’ power, and the process by which states can... Key rulings included: The Supreme Court’s decisions in the last term altered how federal and state powers interact and the balance of power between them. While some rulings reinforced federal supremacy, four of the five rulings directly addressed the rules governing intergovernmental relations.

The decisions consistently emphasized the need for procedural clarity, encouraging both federal and state entities to be more deliberate and specific in their actions. Here’s a snapshot of the term’s key federalism-related decisions, organized by theme: Judicial remedies and state-led litigation This category focuses on cases that directly address the power of federal courts to issue remedies. Ballotpedia is the digital encyclopedia of American politics and elections, and Ballotpedia News is our hub for breaking news. Our goal is to inform people about politics by providing accurate and objective information about politics at all levels of government.

We are firmly committed to neutrality in our content. As a nonprofit, our mission is to educate. We’re here for you when: * You’re considering a run for office. * You’re making decisions about how you’ll vote in an election. * You need the latest political news and analysis from a reliable, nonpartisan source. Ballotpedia's articles are 100% written by our professional staff of more than 50 writers and researchers.

Although we have an office in Middleton, Wisconsin, the majority of our staff work from home offices across the United States. Ballotpedia is a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization and is not affiliated with any campaigns or candidates for office. During the 2024 term, which ended on June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued several decisions that affected the balance of federalism, altering how authority is shared between states and the federal government. The rulings focused less on policy outcomes and more on procedural rules, addressing disputes over the proper use of judicial remedies, the scope of federal agencies’ power, and the process by which states can... Key rulings included:

The Supreme Court’s decisions in the last term altered how federal and state powers interact and the balance of power between them. While some rulings reinforced federal supremacy, four of the five rulings directly addressed the rules governing intergovernmental relations. The decisions consistently emphasized the need for procedural clarity, encouraging both federal and state entities to be more deliberate and specific in their actions. Here’s a snapshot of the term’s key federalism-related decisions, organized by theme: Judicial remedies and state-led litigation The U.S.

Supreme Court issued a number of decisions of interest to state and territorial governments during its 2024-2025 term. The Court handed down approximately 67 rulings, along with several additional orders addressed through its emergency docket. Among the decided cases, thirteen originated from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit— the highest number from any circuit this term—followed by seven from the Fourth Circuit. Six cases originated from state and district courts. The merits docket this term featured a range of issues particularly relevant to states and territories.

Key issues addressed included the constitutionality of state age-verification laws for minors accessing pornographic content online, restrictions on youth access to gender-affirming care, the scope of state authority in environmental regulation, the inclusion of... This term also saw a notable increase in cases brought before the Court’s emergency docket, commonly known as the shadow docket. From October 7, 2024, to August 9, 2025, the Court received over 110 emergency applications. While the majority of these applications involved death penalty matters or refiling requests, approximately 43 cases raised substantive issues warranting immediate relief. These included critical questions on separation of powers—such as challenges to Courts’ authority to limit executive action—administrative law disputes, First Amendment conflicts, and federalism issues concerning the balance between state and federal authority. Many high-profile cases focused on presidential powers related to immigration, administrative agencies, federal funding, and the use of universal injunctions.

Key decisions impacting state and territorial governments and other major topics from the term are noted below. A full list of decisions can be found here. A list of emergency docket applications can be found here. NGA holds monthly briefings for Governors’ legal counsel. Please reach out to Lauren Dedon (Ldedon@nga.org) for additional information. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

In an unsigned opinion, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the TikTok ban. The main issue is whether the rule under which the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulates ghost guns is consistent with the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968. The Supreme Court reversed and remanded the OCCA’s ruling, holding that the prosecution’s actions violated Glossip’s right to due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. The Supreme Court affirmed the Second Circuit’s ruling, allowing Horn’s RICO claim for business and property damage resulting from a personal injury. Session: Final Opinion Day of the 2024-25 Term ACE Rebrand Update: The Alliance for Citizen Engagement is now The Alliance for Civic Engagement.

With the Trump administration’s increased use of the Supreme Court’s shadow docket, whereby the court can hear “emergency appeals” and rule without hearing oral arguments or issuing written decisions, the court has increasingly left... On June 27th, the 2024-2025 term came to a close ahead of its summer recess, with the court handing down some of its most controversial and consequential decisions yet. St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond On May 22nd, the court came to a tied 4-4 vote barring public funding for the nation’s first religious public charter school in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma’s Attorney General, Genter Drummond, initially brought suit against the state’s Virtual Charter School Board over their contract with St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, arguing said contract violates the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, the Oklahoma Constitution, and the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Justices Alito and Kavanaugh, who seemed most sympathetic to St. Isidore’s arguments during the hearings, argued that to invalidate the contract would in itself be discrimination against the school on the basis of its religious status. The court’s liberal bloc, Justices Kagan, Sotomayor, and Jackson, focused on the case’s potential threat to the separation of church and state, as charter schools are “a creation and creature of the state.”

Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case, opening the door for a tied ruling. While she gave no explanation for her recusal, it is speculated she may’ve done so as a result of her long-standing friendship with one of St. Isidore’s advisors, Nicole Stelle Garnett. The court did not give a breakdown of which justices voted which way. In the case of a tied Supreme Court ruling, the ruling of the lower court (in this case, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma) stands. The Supreme Court of Oklahoma ruled in Drummond’s favor against the school.

The door remains open, however, for the issue of public funding for religious charters to return to the court, should a similar case emerge that does not require recusal. The Supreme Court ended its term with historic rulings regarding administrative law and how the government operates. Here’s a roundup of the most important cases – and why they matter. The Supreme Court Cases That Shaped 2024 Craig Hudson|The Washington Post|Getty Images Outside of the U.S.

Supreme Court, June 28, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court wrapped up its term this week and left in its wake historic rulings that expanded presidential immunity, limited federal regulatory authority, curbed prosecutorial discretion and punted abortion decisions.

Overview Of Federalism Implications In Decisions From The 2024 25

People Also Search

During The 2024 Term, Which Ended On June 27, 2025,

The Decisions Consistently Emphasized The Need For Procedural Clarity, Encouraging

We Are Firmly Committed To Neutrality In Our Content. As

Although We Have An Office In Middleton, Wisconsin, The Majority

The Supreme Court’s Decisions In The Last Term Altered How