{"argument_date":"2008-10-14T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2008-10-14T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Browning argued the Act should encourage a society where race no longer matters.","He stated coalition districts bring races together by fostering political alliances.","Chief Justice Roberts questioned if coalition districts prove the Act succeeded.","Justice Alito asked for a statistical line for significant crossover voting."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-5"}]}],"caption":"Bartlett v. Strickland","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:27.049505Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case argue coalition districts satisfy the law. the opposing sides claim only majority-minority districts protect voting rights.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 37-39"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2008-10-14T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/07-689.html","primary_docket":"07-689","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T03:19:29.325734Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the scope of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. It asks whether a district with a minority group under 50 percent can satisfy the statute. The core dispute involves the definition of a protected voting group."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 37-39"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 14, 2008."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to accept coalition districts as valid under Section 2.","the opposing sides want the Court to require a majority-minority composition for Section 2 claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 37-39"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue coalition districts foster cross-racial political alliances and reduce the role of race.","the opposing sides argue that only majority-minority districts reliably protect minority voting power under the statute."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 37-39"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked if coalition districts show the Act succeeded rather than needing broader application.","Justice Alito asked how much crossover voting statistically makes a difference in district outcomes."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-5"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines how states draw legislative districts. It determines whether race remains a central factor in districting. It shapes the balance between political coalition building and minority representation."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 37-39"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 47-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 47-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 35-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 21-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 25-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 49-5"}]}],"slug":"2008-07-689-bartlett-v-strickland","term":"2008","title":"Does the Voting Rights Act require a majority-minority district when crossover voting is high?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/07-689.pdf","page_label":"file page 40, lines 37-39"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}