Case Summary
Southern Coalition for Social Justice successfully challenged 28 of North Carolina's 2011 state house and senate districts as racial gerrymanders in violation of the Equal Protections Clause on behalf of 31 individual voters in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, with co-counsel from Poyner Spruill, LLP.
After an expedited discovery period and a five-day bench trial, the trial court rendered judgemnt in favor of plaintiffs, finding race predominated in the drawing of 28 districts with the effect of creating districts with high Black Voting Age Populations (i.e., packing Black voters) without justification in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. On Appeal, the Supreme Court summarily affirmed the trial court's judgment in a June 5, 2017 decision.
Why it's Important
This case addressed issues of racial gerrymandering and the constitutional rights of voters to fair representation. The decision highlighted the power dynamics in redistricting processes and the role of the courts in ensuring electoral fairness.
January 2018 Memorandum Opinion and Order
July 2017 Covington Order
Filed: 08/31/2017
Nov 2016 Covington Order
Filed: 11/29/2016
August 2016 Covington Opinion
Filed: 08/11/2016
U.S. Supreme Court Again Sides with Plaintiffs Who Brought Racial Gerrymandering Challenge
Special Master Releases Final Recommendations in NC Racial Gerrymandering Case
Published: 12/01/2017
Plaintiffs in Racial Gerrymandering Case Release Redistricting Plan
Published: 08/23/2017
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