Swing Vote

Swing Vote is a 1999 American television drama film directed by David Anspaugh, written by Ronald Bass and Jane Rusconi, and starring Andy Garcia. It features an alternative reality in which the Supreme Court of the United States has overturned the Roe v. Wade decision and the State of Alabama has subsequently charged a woman with first degree murder for having an abortion. It aired on ABC on April 19, 1999. Story In an alternative reality, the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v Wade. Virginia Mape has been charged and convicted of first degree murder by the state of Alabama for procuring an abortion after that ruling, and her conviction has been appealed directly to the Supreme Court. Joseph Kirkland, a corporate lawyer with no judicial experience, has recently been appointed to the Supreme Court and moved to Washington D.C. with his wife, anti-abortion activist Linda Kirland, and their daughter Jenny. With no time to settle in, Joseph meets his only clerk, Calley McFearson, before engaging in the court's first extraordinary session, hearing arguments on the appeal. In his first conference, Joseph unexpectedly finds himself catapulted into the hot seat. The Chief Justice explains that when he obtained the necessary votes to overturn Roe v Wade, his majority couldn't agree on the penalties for abortion and so left the rulemaking up to the states, which has led to what some consider to be a bad law from Alabama. Assuming he still has a majority, the Chief is shocked to find his numbers dwindling as Clore Cawley, Sara Brandwynne, Henry Banks and Will Dunn all vote to reverse the conviction. With only Daniel Morrisey, Benjamin Ripley and Eli MacCorckle voting to convict, Joseph is left as the swing vote, but refuses to confirm how he is leaning. Over the next two nights Joseph begins his soul-searching. He allows Calley to convince him to attend a rally led by Virginia Mapes, seeing her in person and coming to the conclusion that she is a test case; the perfect candidate who could have had an abortion elsewhere, is well-educated and articulate, and has been hand-picked to challenge the law.