{"argument_date":"2017-10-03T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2017-10-03T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Tseytlin argued social science metrics do not solve manageability problems.","Ms. Murphy stated plaintiffs failed to identify a workable standard.","Mr. Smith claimed the state map effectively nullifies democracy."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 54-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 54-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 22-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 22-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 30-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 30-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 40-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 40-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 56-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 56-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 8-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 8-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 48-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 48-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 14-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 14-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 12-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 42-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 42-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 12-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 22-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 22-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 42-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 42-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 38-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 38-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 10-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 56-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 56-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 38-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 38-32"}]}],"caption":"Gill v. Whitford","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.371703Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.395083Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Appellants seek a judicial remedy for extreme district maps. Appellees argue courts lack standards to fix them.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 48-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 48-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 14-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 14-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 42-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 42-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 42-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 42-36"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2017-10-03T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2017","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/16-1161.html","primary_docket":"16-1161","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:34:50.172277Z","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 whether federal courts can resolve partisan gerrymandering disputes. The parties disagree on the availability of legal standards."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 48-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 48-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 14-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 14-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 42-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 42-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 42-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 42-36"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 3, 2017."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 12-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 38-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 38-40"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Appellants want a court to strike down the district map.","Appellees want the court to dismiss the gerrymandering claim."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 48-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 48-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 14-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 14-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 42-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 42-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 42-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 42-36"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Appellants argue the map effectively nullifies democratic representation.","Appellees argue no judicially manageable standard exists for this claim."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 48-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 48-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 14-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 14-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 42-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 42-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 42-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 42-36"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked if courts can manage the standards.","Justice Kagan noted the social science metrics appear scientific."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 54-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 54-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 22-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 22-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 30-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 30-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 40-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 40-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 56-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 56-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 8-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 8-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 12-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 12-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 22-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 22-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 38-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 38-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 10-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 56-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 56-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 38-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 38-32"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the scope of judicial power over electoral maps. It determines whether voters can challenge extreme districting in court."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 48-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 48-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 14-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 14-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 42-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 42-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 42-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 42-36"}]},{"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 10, lines 54-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 54-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 22-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 22-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 30-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 15, lines 30-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 40-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 40-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 56-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 56-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 8-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 8-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 12-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 12-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 22-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 22-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 38-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 38-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 10-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 56-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 56-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 38-32","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 38-32"}]}],"slug":"2017-16-1161-gill-v-whitford","term":"2017","title":"Can courts manage partisan gerrymandering claims?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 48-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 19, lines 48-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 14-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 31, lines 14-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 24-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 24-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 42-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 45, lines 42-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 42-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2017/16-1161_mjn0.pdf","page_label":"file page 64, lines 42-36"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}