October Term 2011 · Docket 11-713
Can Texas use a court-drawn map before federal approval?
Texas wants to use a judicial map. Opponents say federal law forbids it.
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
Texas claims the lower court lost sight of first principles.
Opponents claim Texas inverts the federal approval burden.
questions_asked_by_justices
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-17
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Texas seeks to use a court-drawn map. Opponents argue federal law blocks this action.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 45-13
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 9, 2012.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-37
What each side wants
Texas wants to use the court-drawn map immediately.
Opponents want to block the map until approval.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 45-13
What each side says
Texas argues the lower court ignored key legal principles.
Opponents argue Texas inverts the federal approval burden.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 45-13
What the justices asked
Justice Ginsburg asked how this case differs from prior plans.
Justice Alito asked what happens if neither map works.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-17
Why it matters
This case defines when states can use new maps. It shapes federal oversight of voting rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 45-13
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 10, lines 43-13 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 9-17
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 28, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 45-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 45-13
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.