October Term 2007 · Docket 07-21
Does Indiana's photo ID law violate the right to vote?
the sides that brought the case claim the law burdens voting. the opposing sides say it prevents fraud.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
the sides that brought the case claim the law burdens fundamental voting rights.
the opposing sides assert no evidence shows widespread lack of ID.
the opposing sides argue some identity verification is always required.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-3 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-27
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests Indiana's voter ID law. the sides that brought the case seek to strike it down. the opposing sides defend the statute.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 45-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 9, 2008.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 39-49
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to invalidate the photo ID requirement.
the opposing sides want the Court to uphold the photo ID requirement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 45-7
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the law imposes substantial burdens on voters.
the opposing sides argue the law is necessary to verify voter identity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 45-7
What the justices asked
Justice Kennedy asked if any association could sue on behalf of voters.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if standing relies on specific party members.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-3 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-27
Why it matters
The outcome defines the scope of voting rights protections. It sets standards for state election administration rules.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 45-7
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-3 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-27
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 42, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 45-7
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.