What happens when the Supreme Court reaches a tie vote?

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A person ascends the steps of the west facade of the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., with its tall columns and a round fountain in the foreground. — Supreme Court of the United States The west facade of the U.S. Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.

When the Supreme Court of the United States reaches a tie vote, the decision of the lower court from which the case was appealed is affirmed. This means that the lower court's ruling remains in effect, but the tie vote does not establish a binding legal precedent for future cases.

A tie can occur if a justice is recused or if there is a vacancy on the Court, resulting in an even number of participating justices. Because the Supreme Court serves as the final court of appeal, this mechanism ensures that the legal status quo is maintained in the absence of a majority opinion.1