October Term 2015 · Docket 14-1504
Does race drive Virginia redistricting?
Appellants claim race drove district lines. Virginia says politics did.
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
Appellants argue race predominated in the map. They cite a 55 percent floor. They claim this moved 44,000 voters.
Virginia argues the legislature treated districts equally. They claim they preserved district cores. They deny racial predominance.
Justice Sotomayor questioned the case's standing. She asked if the map changed meaningfully. She noted the new map splits fewer districts.
Justice Kennedy asked about using race. He questioned moving people for ease. He noted the race votes for one party.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 18-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-46 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 32-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-30 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 34-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 16-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-12 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 8-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 32-40 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 32-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 42-6 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 42-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 18-22 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 18-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 44-4 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 44-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 24-10 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 24-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-14 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 14-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 44-12 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 44-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 48-16 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 48-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-46 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-44 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 38-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 24-38 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 24-38
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Appellants want the Court to reverse the lower court. They argue race drove the map. Virginia wants the Court to affirm the lower court. They argue politics drove the map.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 18-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-30 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 34-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 32-40 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 32-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-46 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-46
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 21, 2016.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 42-48
What each side wants
Appellants want the Court to reverse the lower court. They argue race drove the map.
Virginia wants the Court to affirm the lower court. They argue politics drove the map.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 18-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-30 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 34-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 32-40 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 32-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-46 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-46
What each side says
Appellants argue a 55 percent floor moved voters. They claim this triggered strict scrutiny.
Virginia argues the legislature treated all districts equally. They claim no racial predominance occurred.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 18-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-30 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 34-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 32-40 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 32-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-46 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-46
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if the case is moot. She noted most districts did not change.
Justice Kennedy asked if race can move people. He questioned using race for neutral goals.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-46 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 32-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 16-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-12 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 8-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 42-6 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 42-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 18-22 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 18-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 44-4 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 44-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 24-10 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 24-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-14 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 14-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 44-12 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 44-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 48-16 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 48-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-44 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 38-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 24-38 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 24-38
Why it matters
This case defines when race drives redistricting. It sets limits on state map drawing. It affects how states use racial data.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 18-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-30 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 34-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 32-40 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 32-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-46 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-46
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 10-12 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-46 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 32-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 16-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 16-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 8-12 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 8-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 42-6 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 42-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 18-22 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 18-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 44-4 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 44-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 24-10 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 24-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 14-14 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 14-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 44-12 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 44-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 48-16 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 48-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 38-44 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 38-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 24-38 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 24-38
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 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 18-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-30 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 34-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 32-40 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 32-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-46 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 32, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 32, lines 18-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 34-30 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 34-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 32-40 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 32-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 18-40 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 18-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 10-46 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 10-46
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.