Shaw v. Hunt

517 U.S. 899 (1996)

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Shaw v. Hunt

United States Supreme Court
517 U.S. 899 (1996)

  • Written by Eric Miller, JD

Facts

North Carolina sought to redraw the lines of its voting districts. The United States Department of Justice rejected North Carolina’s first redistricting plan, which included one black-majority district, for lacking sufficient minority voter representation as mandated by the Voting Rights Act. North Carolina then submitted a new redistricting plan, which contained a second black-majority district. In light of this redistricting plan, five North Carolinians sued state officials on equal-protection grounds. The United States Supreme Court recognized a valid equal-protection claim and remanded for trial. The lower court upheld the redistricting plan. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Rehnquist, C.J.)

Dissent (Stevens, J.)

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Casebooks

Constitutional Law

Key Terms

  • GerrymanderingThe drawing of artificial lines to establish voting districts based on political or racial motives rather than geographic boundaries in order to achieve favorable electoral results.
  • Voting Rights Act of 1965An act of United States legislation that prohibited states from adopting any laws or procedures that would disqualify voters on the basis of race and required states with a demonstrated history of voter discrimination to seek federal approval before implementing any changes to voting laws or procedures.
  • Strict ScrutinyThe most demanding standard of judicial review used by courts. Strict scrutiny review requires that the law or policy being challenged supports a compelling governmental interest, is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest, and is the least restrictive means available to achieve that interest.
  • Equal ProtectionA constitutional right guaranteeing that one class of people will enjoy the same protection of the laws as another.

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