Elena Kagan will be sworn in as the newest U.S. Supreme Court justice tomorrow, after a fairly close vote: 37 Senators voted “nay”.

Here are the most recent Supreme Court nomination votes. Do you see a trend?

• 1975, John Paul Stevens confirmed, 98-0
• 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor confirmed, 99-0
• 1986, Antonin Scalia confirmed, 98-0
• 1987, Robert Bork not confirmed, 42-58 (pdf)
• 1988, Anthony Kennedy confirmed, 97-0
• 1991, Clarence Thomas confirmed, 52-48 (10 Democrats supported the nomination)
• 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg confirmed, 96-3
• 1994, Stephen Breyer confirmed, 87-9
• 2005, John Roberts confirmed 78-22 (22 Democrats supported the nomination)
• 2006, Samuel Alito confirmed 58-42 (only four Democrats supported the nomination)
• 2009, Sonia Sotomayor confirmed, 68-31 (only nine Republicans supported the nomination)
• 2010, Elena Kagan confirmed, 63-37 (only four five Republicans supported the nomination)

KATHY GILL, Technology Policy Analyst

Known for gnawing at complex questions like a terrier with a bone. Digital evangelist, writer, teacher. Transplanted Southerner; teach newbies to ride motorcycles! @kegill, wiredpen.com

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