Balkinization  

Monday, November 10, 2025

Moot is Moot: An Open Letter to the Supreme Court Urging Adherence to Settled Mootness Principles in Little v. Hecox

Jason Mazzone

Vik Amar and I have just published a short essay in the form of an open letter to the Supreme Court concerning Little v. Hecox, the case on the Court's docket this term involving a transgender athlete's equal protection challenge to Idaho's Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. Because of certain developments in the litigation after the plaintiff prevailed below, the case--under settled principles--is now moot. The Court should so hold. But the state defendants resist the obvious and, claiming the plaintiff manufactured mootness in order to avoid review, urge the Court in extensive filings to bypass Article III requirements, adopt a new exception to mootness, and decide the case on the merits. The Court should resist that invitation, just as it has done so in prior cases that have become moot on the way to the Court or before the Court issues a judgment.      


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