October Term 2017 · Docket 17-586
Can a state appeal a court order to consult on redistricting before the final map is drawn?
Texas officials seek to appeal a federal order requiring them to consult with mapmakers. Opponents argue this order is not final and cannot be appealed yet.
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
Justice Breyer asked if the consultation order is an injunction.
Justice Sotomayor noted the court asked about intent, not action.
Texas officials argued the 2011 process was not a preliminary injunction.
Opponents argued the order did not command specific redrawing actions.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 55-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 55-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 9-45 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 9-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 27-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 87, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 87, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-25
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Texas officials want to appeal a federal court order. They argue the order is final. Opponents say the order is not final. The Court must decide if the appeal is allowed.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 27-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 17-19
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 24, 2018.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 87, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 87, lines 51-1
What each side wants
Texas officials want the Supreme Court to allow their appeal of the consultation order.
Opponents want the Supreme Court to reject the appeal as premature.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 27-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 17-19
What each side says
Texas officials argue the consultation order is a final, appealable action.
Opponents argue the order is not final because the redistricting process is incomplete.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 27-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 17-19
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked if this situation is common in districting cases.
Justice Sotomayor asked why the order is not final under prior precedent.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 55-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 55-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 9-45 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 9-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-25
Why it matters
This case defines when states can challenge federal redistricting orders. It affects the timing of legal challenges to state maps. It shapes the balance of power between courts and legislatures.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 27-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 17-19
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 33-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 55-49 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 55-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 9-45 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 9-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 53-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 53-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 87, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 87, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-25
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 20, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 27-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 15-37 — Transcript, file page 20, lines 15-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 15-49 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 15-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 41, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 41, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 21-1 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 21-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 27-13 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 27-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 17-19
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.