How does the U.S. Supreme Court decide which cases to hear?

The U.S. Supreme Court primarily decides which cases to hear through a process known as a writ of certiorari. This is a request for the Supreme Court to review the decision of a lower court. If the Court grants certiorari, it agrees to hear the case, which typically happens when there are significant legal issues, discrepancies among federal circuit courts, or matters of considerable public interest at stake.

This process is critical for the Supreme Court's ability to maintain a consistent interpretation of the law across the country, as it often deals with cases that have broader implications for the legal system and society as a whole. A writ of certiorari functions more like a formal invitation to the Court to consider a case rather than a decision made through other means such as executive influence or public opinion.

The other methods listed, such as presidential review or popular vote, do not play a role in the Court's decision-making process. A writ of mandate, while a legal instrument used in certain court proceedings, is not the mechanism through which the Supreme Court selects its cases. Thus, the correct understanding lies in the writ of certiorari as the established procedure for the Court's case selection.