Supreme Court of the United States
Roy Cooper v. David Harris
May 22, 2017581 U.S. 285
Summary
The Court affirmed the District Court's judgment that North Carolina's Districts 1 and 12 were unconstitutional racial gerrymanders. It held race predominated in drawing both districts. For District 1, compliance with §2 of the VRA did not justify the use of race because the state lacked a strong basis in evidence. For District 12, the Court found race, not politics, predominated, and rejected the requirement for an alternative map where other evidence suffices. Justice Thomas concurred, and Justice Alito dissented in part, arguing an alternative map was necessary under Cromartie II.
Holding
- Whether state-court preclusion applies or standard of review changes.. State court victory does not dictate disposition or alter clear error standard.
- Whether race predominated in District 1.. Race was the predominant factor motivating the legislature's decision.
- Whether VRA §2 compliance justified District 1.. No, the State's use of race does not withstand strict scrutiny.
- Whether race predominated in District 12.. Race, not politics, accounted for District 12's reconfiguration.
- Whether an alternative map is required to prove racial predominance.. No, plaintiffs need not introduce an alternative map.
Docket 15–1262.
Cited authorities
- 28 U.S.C. §§2284
- 28 U.S.C. § 1253
- 79 Stat. 437
- 52 U.S.C. §10301
- 31 FR 5081
- 52 U.S.C. §10301
- 52 U.S.C. §10304
Cited by
- Baltimore County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People v. Baltimore County, Maryland
- O. John Benisek v. Linda H. Lamone
- Georgia State Conference of the NAACP, as an Organization v. State of Georgia
- Austin Thompson v. Brian Kemp
- Golden Bethune-Hill v. Virginia State Board of Elections
- Margaret Dickson v. Robert Rucho
- Nieves v. Bartlett
- Curtis Giovanni Flowers, Petitioner v. Mississippi