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Thornburg v. Gingles

United States Supreme Court

478 U.S. 30 (1986)

Facts

North Carolina engaged in multimember redistricting. Seven districts came under controversy for alleged racially polarized vote dilution. Until 1982, African Americans experienced minimal electoral success in North Carolina. Of the seven districts, District 23, which regularly elected African Americans, served as the sole exception. African American voters in North Carolina overwhelmingly favored a single party. Moreover, this racial minority tended to be regionally concentrated. A particular socioeconomic experience and shared history helped determine this group's electoral access. The district court ruled that the seven North Carolina districts in question diluted African American votes. Thus, North Carolina's multimember redistricting failed to conform to § 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Court heard this appeal.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Brennan, J.)

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Concurrence (O'Connor, J.)

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Concurrence (White, J.)

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Concurrence/Dissent (Stevens, J.)

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