Questions presented
SCOTUS records
Does the Texas legislature's 2003 replacement of a legally valid congressional districting plan with a state-wide plan, enacted for "the single-minded purpose" of gaining partisan advantage, satisfy the stringent constitutional rule of equipopulous districts by relying on the 2000 decennial census and the fiction of inter-censal population accuracy?
Opinion summary
Etalia.ai summary of the majority opinion
The case involved a challenge to the redistricting plan enacted by Texas in 2003, which was led by then-Governor Rick Perry. The plaintiffs, including Travis County and other parties, argued that the redistricting violated both the Voting Rights Act and constitutional principles of equal representation. They claimed that it diluted minority voting strength and constituted an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander designed to favor Republicans over Democrats. The Supreme Court had previously ruled on similar issues but agreed to hear this case due to its implications for electoral fairness and minority rights under federal law.
Opinion written by Justice Kennedy
Decided 28 Jun 2006 · Official report