With litigation already raging nationwide, the justices face the prospect of being drawn into a polarizing showdown they might prefer to avoid.

Transgender rights, the regulation of “ghost guns” and the death penalty highlight the Supreme Court’s election-season term that begins Monday

Transgender rights, the regulation of “ghost guns” and the death penalty highlight the Supreme Court's election-season term that begins Monday, with the prospect of the court's intervention in voting disputes lurking in the background.

The justices have one major case on transgender medical care on their docket and others pending on gender-identity issues in schools.