AdvertisementThe Supreme Court's Term Appeared To Be Cautious. The Numbers Tell A Different StoryJuly 09, 2021Nina TotenbergfacebookEmailSince John Roberts became chief justice in 2005, the Supreme Court has on average decided just under 10% of its cases by polarized 5-4 votes. This term, that percentage went up, with the court's new conservative supermajority winning 15% of cases by a polarized vote of 6-3, plus an additional 4% decided by a conservative 5-4 majority. (AP)