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Multiple Choice

South Dakota v. Dole — Who is the petitioner?

In Supreme Court case naming, the petitioner is the party that asks the Court to review the lower court’s decision, and that party is listed first in the caption. South Dakota v. Dole shows the state of South Dakota challenging a federal condition on highway funds, so South Dakota is the party that brought the case to the Court. The other side, Dole, represents the United States (the federal official tied to the policy) and is listed second as the respondent. Therefore, the petitioner is South Dakota.

In Supreme Court case naming, the petitioner is the party that asks the Court to review the lower court’s decision, and that party is listed first in the caption. South Dakota v. Dole shows the state of South Dakota challenging a federal condition on highway funds, so South Dakota is the party that brought the case to the Court. The other side, Dole, represents the United States (the federal official tied to the policy) and is listed second as the respondent. Therefore, the petitioner is South Dakota.