October Term 2014 · Docket 13-895
Did Alabama use race as the primary factor in drawing its legislative districts?
Alabama drew new legislative maps using strict racial targets. Plaintiffs claim this violates the Constitution. The state argues it acted to prevent vote dilution.
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
Mr. Schnapper argued Shaw jurisprudence guides the current debate. He identified two constitutional claims regarding race in districting.
General Verrilli stated Shaw claims require district-specific analysis. He argued the district court departed from this principle.
Mr. Pildes claimed Alabama used rigid racial quotas. He stated the state used only racial data to meet targets with precision.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 37-31 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 37-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-1
- 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 25-31 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 37-1 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 37-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-5 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-13
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Alabama redrew its legislative districts using rigid racial quotas. The state claims this prevented the dilution of minority voting power. Plaintiffs argue the state used race as the primary factor in districting. This practice may violate the Equal Protection Clause.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 37-31 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 37-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-37
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 12, 2014.
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 57, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-47
What each side wants
Plaintiffs want the Court to strike down the new maps. They argue the state used race as the primary factor in districting.
The state wants the Court to uphold the new maps. It argues the maps prevent the dilution of minority voting power.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 37-31 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 37-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-37
What each side says
Plaintiffs argue Alabama used rigid racial quotas to design districts. They claim the state relied solely on racial demographic data to meet targets.
The state argues it moved people to avoid retrogression. It claims it maintained specific black population percentages to protect minority voting effectiveness.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 37-31 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 37-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-37
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked if the state merely moved people to maintain population percentages. He questioned if this avoided retrogression.
Justice Kennedy asked if a party changing districts to undo prior actions creates a violation. He questioned the motive behind partisan balance changes.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 37-1 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 37-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-5 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-13
Why it matters
This case defines how states can use race in redistricting. It balances minority voting power against racial neutrality. The outcome shapes future legislative map drawing nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 37-31 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 37-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-37
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 4, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-15 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 37-1 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 37-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-5 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-13
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 17, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 37-31 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 37-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 9-25 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 9-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 41-3 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 41-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 37-31 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 37-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-37
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.