Supreme Court of the United States

Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Comm'n

June 29, 2015576 U.S. 787

Summary

The Supreme Court affirmed the district court, holding that the Arizona Legislature has standing to challenge Proposition 106 and that both the Elections Clause and 2 U.S.C. §2a(c) permit Arizona to use an independent redistricting commission for congressional districts. The Court reasoned that the Legislature’s injury is concrete and traceable, and that “legislature” in the Elections Clause includes lawmaking authority exercised through the initiative process.

Holding

  • Whether the Arizona Legislature has standing to sue challenging Proposition 106.. Yes, the Legislature has standing because it suffers a concrete, particularized, and redressable injury that is fairly traceable to the challenged action.
  • Whether the Elections Clause and 2 U.S.C. §2a(c) permit Arizona to use an independent commission to draw congressional districts.. Yes, the Elections Clause and §2a(c) allow the people of Arizona, through the initiative process, to vest redistricting authority in an independent commission.

Docket 13-1314

Cited authorities

  • CA11
  • 37 Stat. 14
  • 121 Yale L.J. 1808
  • 121 Yale L.J. 1808
  • Haw. Rev. Stat. §§25
  • Iowa Code §§42.1
  • Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §103.51
  • Ind. Code §3

Cited by