The Supreme Court is getting ready to rule on three of America's most controversial issues

The Supreme Court is gearing up to make decisions on three major cases involving abortion, affirmative action, and immigration before its term ends in late June or early July.

The court is currently hampered by its lack of a ninth justice - Justice Antonin Scalia died in February, and Congress Republicans have declined to consider Obama's proposed replacement, Merrick Garland. 

This has led a number of ties and compromises, leaving broader legal questions largely unanswered.

The cases that remain on the docket this term may also end in stalemate or be delayed until the empty seat on the Court is filled. 

Here are the controversial cases that the justices are set to decide in the next few weeks.