Democrats Propose Changes to Supreme Court Ahead of Midterms

As the midterm elections approach, Democrats are putting forward several proposals to alter the structure and operation of the Supreme Court. These proposals aim to address concerns regarding the court’s current composition and practices.

One notable bill suggests expanding the number of Supreme Court justices from the current nine to thirteen. This proposal seeks to balance the ideologically conservative majority.

Another proposal targets the lifetime appointment of justices. It suggests limiting their terms to eighteen years. Advocates believe this change could introduce fresh perspectives more regularly.

Additional measures include establishing an enforceable ethics code for the court and setting clear guidelines for its decision-making processes. These efforts address transparency concerns, particularly concerning the court’s often less visible “shadow docket.”

These proposals emerge amidst rising tensions and scrutiny following statements by conservative justices. They indicated possible plans to limit the formation of voting districts with majority Black and Hispanic populations. This sparked protests outside the Supreme Court in October 2025.