This educational guide is based on the linked primary sources. It is not a Court publication, is not affiliated with the Court, and is not legal advice.
In brief
Overview
The case concerns whether the Texas legislature’s 2013 redistricting plans were adopted with a racially discriminatory purpose.
The parties argue that the Supreme Court may lack jurisdiction to hear the appeal.
The appellants assert that the legislature acted in good faith and did not intend to discriminate.
Justices raised questions about jurisdiction, the applicability of prior cases such as Gunn and Arlington Heights, and the relationship between the Voting Rights Act and the Fourteenth Amendment.
- [1] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 5
- [2] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 36
- [3] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 60
- [4] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 28
- [5] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 41
- [6] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 5
- [7] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 86
- [8] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 6
- [9] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 7
- [10] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 24
- [11] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 86
Background and question before the Court
The Court considered whether it has jurisdiction to hear the case.
The Court examined whether the Texas redistricting plan violated the Voting Rights Act or the Fourteenth Amendment.
- [1] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 6
- [2] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 42
- [3] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 48
- [4] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 60
- [5] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 86
- [6] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 24
- [7] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 60
What each side argues
Appellants (Governor Greg Abbott and counsel)
According to Appellants (Scott A. Keller), according to Appellants (Scott A. Keller), the Texas legislature did not have a racially discriminatory purpose when it adopted the congressional and state‑house remedial plans.
According to Appellants (Mr. Keller), according to Appellants (Mr. Keller), the legislature acted in good faith; changing additional districts would have exposed it to further legal challenges.
Appelltees (Shannon Perez and counsel)
According to Allison J. Riggs, the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear this appeal.
According to Appelltees, the jurisdictional question is the starting point of the case.
United States (Amicus)
According to United States, the United States seeks to clarify why this case differs from other jurisdictional disputes.
What happened at oral argument
Justices asked the parties about jurisdiction, including whether the Court has authority without an explicit injunction.
Justices inquired about the applicability of prior case law such as Gunn, Arlington Heights, and the relationship between the VRA and the Fourteenth Amendment.
The appellants responded that the legislature acted without discriminatory intent and in good faith.
- [1] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 6
- [2] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 42
- [3] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 48
- [4] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 7
- [5] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 24
- [6] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 60
- [7] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 86
- [8] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 5
- [9] b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdf, p. 86
What the Court decided
Why it matters
The case could clarify the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction over redistricting disputes.
The outcome may affect how the Voting Rights Act is applied to state legislative maps.
Terms to know
No glossary terms are available for this guide.
Primary sources
Read the source materials on the official site or open the immutable repository copy used for this guide.
- b02895da43c32a526092-r1-3b6d559c38fa3dd0.pdforal argument transcript
Guide generated September 26, 2026. Automated validation accepted this version.