How the Supreme Court could reshape the 2024 race — again

When the Supreme Court convenes Monday to open its new term, there will be 29 days until Election Day and one question on everybody’s mind: Will the justices once again find themselves in the middle of the presidential race?

Before the election, the high court could be called to resolve emergency disputes over ballot-access measures or vote-counting rules. After the election, any challenge to the outcome would likely end up with the justices.

Either scenario would transform a term that so far looks sleepy into another politically explosive chapter for the court, which is controlled by a 6-3 conservative majority. And it would come at a time when public trust in the court is still on the decline.

Heading into the court’s opening session on Monday, the justices have agreed to hear 40 cases this term. None of those cases is nearly as consequential as the high court’s forays in recent years into abortion, affirmative action and gun rights.