Rucho v. Common Cause
United States Supreme Court
139 S. Ct. 2484 (2019)
- Written by Rose VanHofwegen, JD
Facts
Two state legislatures adopted redistricting plans designed to dilute one political party’s vote. First, North Carolina Republican legislators, including Robert Rucho (defendants), drew a redistricting map that produced nine Republican and three Democratic winners, even though statewide more Democrats received votes than Republicans. Second, Maryland Democratic legislators used a map designed to “flip” the one remaining Republican district by moving 360,000 voters out and 350,000 new voters in, resulting in the district electing a Democrat. Voters in both states (plaintiffs) challenged the redistricting maps in federal court. Both district courts found for the voters. The legislators appealed directly to the United States Supreme Court, which consolidated the appeals and accepted review. At the outset, the Court examined whether it had power to address partisan gerrymandering.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Roberts, C.J.)
Dissent (Kagan, J.)
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