Chen v. City of Houston — Thomas, J., dissenting

Summary

Justice Thomas dissents from denial of certiorari, arguing the Court should grant review to resolve a circuit conflict regarding the proper population measure for one-person, one-vote districting (total vs. citizen voting age population). The case arises from a suit alleging Houston's 1997 redistricting plan violated Equal Protection through racial gerrymandering and systemic undersizing of minority districts. Thomas urges immediate action given the impending 2000 census.