October Term 2020 · Docket 19-309
Can Delaware exclude non-residents from judicial office?
James Adams seeks a Delaware judgeship. The state bars non-residents from holding that office.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Michael McConnell argued for Delaware. He cited federalism principles. He said states set official qualifications.
Chief Justice Roberts asked about standing. He noted Adams is ready to apply. He questioned if Adams is truly interested.
Justice Thomas asked about elected judges. He wondered if the argument changes for elected positions.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 30-40 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 30-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-38 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 36-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 40-22 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 40-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 10-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-36 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-38 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 30-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 46-52 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 46-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-18 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 6-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 12-26 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 12-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-6 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 46-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-10 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 6-10
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Delaware law requires judges to live in the state. Adams wants to run for office. The state says residency is a valid qualification.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-18
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 5, 2020.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 10-20
What each side wants
Adams wants to run for judge despite living out of state.
Delaware wants to keep its residency requirement for judges.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-18
What each side says
Adams argues the residency rule violates equal protection principles.
Delaware argues states control qualifications for high-ranking officials.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-18
What the justices asked
Does Adams have standing to sue if he is ready to apply?
Does the residency rule change if judges are elected instead of appointed?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 30-40 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 30-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-38 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 36-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 40-22 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 40-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 10-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-36 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-38 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 30-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 46-52 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 46-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-18 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 6-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 12-26 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 12-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-6 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 46-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-10 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 6-10
Why it matters
State residency rules shape who can hold public office. This case tests the limits of state power over judicial qualifications.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-18
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 30-40 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 30-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 36-38 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 36-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 40-22 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 40-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 10-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 20-36 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 20-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 30-38 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 30-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 46-52 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 46-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 6-18 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 6-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 12-26 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 12-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 46-6 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 46-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-10 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 6-10
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-18 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-18
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.