The US Supreme Court [official website] on Friday released the hearing list [list, PDF] for the two-week, 11 hearing period beginning on Monday. The court will hear arguments for Wittman v. Personhuballah [materials] on Monday. The case concerns Virginia’s redistricting plan and the court will consider [LII backgrounder] whether the Third Congressional District relied on racial demographics. The court will also consider whether Republican politicians, who claim the redistricting lowered their election chances, have standing to bring this claim. As a result of the redistricting, the percentage of black voters in the Third Congressional District increased from 53.1 percent to 56.3 percent.

On Wednesday the court will hear arguments for Zubik v. Burwell [materials], consolidating cases of several different religious institutions opposing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The plaintiffs argue [LII backgrounder] that the contraceptive-coverage mandate forces non-profit organizations to act against their deeply-held religious beliefs. US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) [official website] argues that the mandate is not a cognizable burden under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and that the government’s compelling interest is protecting the health of all women.