In a potentially momentous new U.S. Supreme Court term, guns, “dreamers,” religious schools and LGBT workplace discrimination are among the issues confronting justices, issues likely to thrust the high court into the crucible of the 2020 presidential campaign season.

As the Roberts Court begins its 15th term on Oct. 7, Supreme Court scholars and others view the court as being in an important transitional period. Justice Anthony Kennedy, the crucial deciding vote in a number of divisive areas, is no longer on the court.

Justice Elena Kagan testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations during a Supreme Court Budget hearing, on Thursday, March 7, 2019.