Supreme Court of the United States
Reno v. Bossier Parish School Board
January 24, 2000528 U.S. 320
Summary
The Supreme Court held that section 5 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits preclearance of a redistricting plan only if it has a discriminatory purpose or effect that is retrogressive, not merely discriminatory but nonretrogressive. This interpretation aligns the purpose prong with the effect prong under Beer v. United States, confining section 5's preclearance requirement to preventing backsliding. Justice Souter concurred in part but dissented, arguing section 5 should bar any discriminatory purpose regardless of retrogression. Justices Stevens, Breyer, and Thomas also filed separate opinions.