Georgia v. Ashcroft

Summary

The Supreme Court held that the District Court applied too narrow a standard in evaluating Georgia's 2001 Senate redistricting plan under § 5 of the Voting Rights Act. The Court ruled that retrogression analysis must consider the statewide plan as a whole, including 'influence districts' where minorities may not elect candidates of choice but exert substantial influence. Justice Souter dissented, arguing the new standard undermines the ability to elect of choice.