How does the Supreme Court decide to hear a case?

The Supreme Court decides to hear a case by granting a writ of certiorari, which is a formal request to review the decision of a lower court. This process allows the Court to select which cases it wishes to consider. The Court receives thousands of petitions for certiorari each term, but typically agrees to hear only a small percentage of those cases that often involve significant constitutional issues or matters of federal law.

This mechanism is crucial because it allows the Supreme Court to maintain control over its docket and focus on cases that have broader implications for the law and the American public. It ensures that the Court's limited resources are devoted to cases that matter the most.

In contrast, the other options do not hold relevance in the Supreme Court's decision-making process. The public votes do not influence the Court's decisions, nor does the President have the authority to recommend cases for the Court to hear. Similarly, Congress cannot mandate cases to be heard by the Supreme Court. Thus, the granting of a writ of certiorari is the established procedure through which the Supreme Court selects its cases.