The median voter on the Court:
1. **Can be either a conservative or a liberal**: The median voter on the Court refers to the Justice whose position aligns with the midpoint of the ideological spectrum among the Justices. This means that depending on the current composition of the Court, the median voter could lean towards conservative or liberal ideologies.
2. **Is not always the most ideologically neutral**: While the concept of the median voter suggests a position at the center of the ideological spectrum, it doesn't necessarily mean that this Justice is the most ideologically neutral. The term refers more to their position relative to the other Justices on the Court.
3. **Is not always a liberal**: The median voter can fall on either side of the ideological spectrum, so it's not accurate to say that they are almost always a liberal. The political leaning of the median voter is influenced by the specific ideologies of the other Justices on the Court.
4. **Cannot be classified solely based on political ideology**: While the median voter's position is influenced by political ideology, it is not the sole factor determining their stance on legal issues. Other considerations such as legal philosophy, interpretation of the Constitution, and personal beliefs also play a role in shaping the decisions of the median voter.
