October Term 2020 · Docket 19-1257
Does Arizona's strict ballot rule violate federal voting rights law?
Arizona defends its ballot rules. Challengers claim the rules burden minority voters.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Michael Carvin argued Arizona protects the right to vote.
He stated the state did not deny any voting opportunity.
He compared the rules to non-discriminatory administrative measures.
Sara Amunson argued discarded ballots deny the right to vote.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 29-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-55 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 41-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-51 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-39 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 13-11
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests Arizona's election rules. The state says the rules protect integrity. Challengers say the rules hurt minority voters.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 29-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-39 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 13-11
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 2, 2021.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-53
What each side wants
Arizona wants the Court to uphold its election rules.
Challengers want the Court to strike down the rules.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 29-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-39 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 13-11
What each side says
Arizona argues the rules do not deny voting opportunities.
Challengers argue the rules discard valid ballots from minority voters.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 29-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-39 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 13-11
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the rules maximize or equalize participation.
Justice Breyer asked how to distinguish these rules from literacy tests.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-55 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 41-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-51 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-25
Why it matters
The outcome defines state power over election administration. It sets the standard for proving voting discrimination. It affects how states manage ballot processing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 29-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-39 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 13-11
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 23-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 41-55 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 41-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-51 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-25
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 29-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-39 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 29-17 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 29-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 40, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 40, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 51-41 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 51-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-39 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 96, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 96, lines 13-11
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.