cooper governor north carolina et al harris et argued december decided may equal protection clause fourteenth amendment prevents state absence sufficient justification separating citizens different voting districts basis race virginia state bd elections voter sues state officials drawing lines decisions call analysis first plaintiff must prove race predominant factor motivating legislature decision place significant number voters within without particular district miller johnson second racial considerations predominate state must prove sorting voters serves compelling interest narrowly tailored end long assumed one compelling interest compliance voting rights act vra act state invokes vra justify districting must show meet narrow tailoring requirement good reasons concluding statute required action alabama legislative black caucus alabama district factual findings made course inquiry reviewed clear error see fed rule civ proc easley cromartie cromartie ii case concerns north carolina redrawing two congressional districts district district census prior redistricting neither district majority black population bvap consistently elected candidates preferred voters new map significantly altered district district state needed add almost people district comply principle chose take people heavily black areas durham increasing district bvap state also reconfigured district increasing bvap registered voters districts called plaintiffs filed suit north carolina officials collectively state north carolina complaining impermissible racial gerrymanders district held districts unconstitutional found racial considerations predominated drawing district lines rejected state claim action justified vra district found race predominated explained state made attempt justify attention race designing district held north carolina victory similar lawsuit dictate disposition case alter applicable standard review case filed state trial rejected claim several civil rights groups districts unlawful racial gerrymanders north carolina affirmed decision equivalent clear error review state claims plaintiffs members organizations brought earlier case thus precluded raising questions anew state never satisfied district alleged affiliation really existed district factual finding reasonable defeats north carolina attempt argue claim issue preclusion state backup argument proper standard review also falls short rule trial factual findings reviewed clear error contains exception findings diverge made another see fed rule civ proc although state decision certainly relevant premise clear error review often two permissible views evidence anderson bessemer city even assuming state findings capture one view question whether district assessment represents another pp district err concluding race furnished predominant rationale district redesign state interest complying vra justify consideration race pp record shows state purposefully established racial target district target direct significant impact district configuration alabama subordinating districting criteria faced body evidence district clearly err finding race predominated drawing district indeed hardly concluded anything pp north carolina use race predominant factor designing district withstand strict scrutiny state argues good reasons believe draw district avoid liability vote dilution vra thornburg gingles identifies three threshold conditions proving claim minority group must sufficiently large geographically compact constitute majority reasonably configured legislative district minority group must politically cohesive district white majority must vote sufficiently bloc usually defeat minority preferred candidate ibid state good reason think three conditions met good reason believe requires drawing district electoral history provided evidence plaintiff demonstrate third gingles prerequisite nearly years new plan adoption made less majority district voters preferred candidates scored consistent victories district thus functioned crossover district members majority help large enough minority elect candidate choice bartlett strickland plurality opinion experience gave state reason think vra required ramp district bvap state counters needed substantially increase district population question facing state mapmakers whether district violated whether future district drawn without regard race reasoning taken alone justify state redesign district important state points meaningful legislative inquiry key issue identifies whether new enlarged district created without focus race lead liability strong basis conclude demands measures augment district bvap state must evaluate whether plaintiff establish gingles preconditions new district created without measures nothing legislative record fits description accident redistricters believed decision strickland mandated bvap district apparently reasoned strickland held require crossover districts groups insufficiently large gingles also satisfied crossover districts groups meeting gingles size condition jurisprudence makes clear unless three gingles prerequisites established neither wrong remedy growe emison north carolina belief compelled redraw district successful crossover district district thus rested pure error law accordingly upholds district conclusion state use race predominant factor designing district withstand strict scrutiny pp district also clearly err finding race predominated redrawing district pp district legality turns solely two possible reasons predominantly explains reconfiguration plaintiffs contended trial north carolina intentionally increased district bvap name ensuring preclearance vra according state contrast mapmakers moved voters district part strictly political gerrymander without regard race hearing evidence supporting parties accounts district accepted plaintiffs getting bottom dispute like one poses special challenges trial must make sensitive direct evidence assess whether plaintiffs proved race politics drove district lines hunt cromartie cromartie job different generally easier affirms trial factual finding racial predominance long finding plausible reverses left definite firm conviction mistake committed anderson assessing finding plausibility moreover gives singular deference trial judgments credibility witnesses see fed rule civ proc applying principles evidence trial including live witness testimony subject credibility determinations adequately supports district conclusion race politics accounted district reconfiguration contrary state view call dismiss challenge plaintiffs proffer alternative design district pp slimming district adding couple knobs snakelike body north carolina added subtracted whites turning district district state senator robert rucho state representative david lewis chairs two committees responsible preparing revamped plan publicly stated racial considerations lay behind district augmented bvap specifically rucho lewis explained part guilford county jurisdiction covered vra lay district increased district bvap ensure preclearance plan thomas hofeller hired mapmaker confirmed intent state preclearance submission justice department indicated similar determination concentrate black voters district testimony district found credible congressman mel watt testified rucho disclosed target hofeller testified drawn district lines based political data checked racial data drew line adjacent areas guilford county district disbelieved hofeller asserted indifference new district racial composition pointing contrary deposition testimony significant contradiction trial testimony finally expert report lent circumstantial support plaintiffs case showing regardless party black voter region three four times likely white voter cast ballot within district borders district assessment evidence proved racial predominance clears bar clear error review maybe evaluated testimony differently presided trial maybe either way far definite firm conviction district made mistake concluding record racial considerations predominated district design pp finally north carolina argues race politics competing explanations district lines plaintiffs must introduce alternative map achieves state asserted political goals improving racial balance map serve key evidence dispute hardly means disprove state contention politics drove district lines case plaintiffs introduction mostly direct circumstantial evidence gave district sufficient basis sans map resolve question although plaintiff sometimes need alternative map practical matter make case map merely evidentiary tool show equal protection violation occurred neither presence absence resolve racial gerrymandering claim north carolina claims passage opinion cromartie ii makes alternative map essential cases like one reasoning cromartie ii belies reading opinion nowhere attempts explicate justify categorical rule state claims find entire thrust opinion runs counter inflexible requirement rightly understood passage state relies different narrower point given weak evidence racial gerrymander offered cromartie ii maps actually show plaintiffs carry day case contrast turned possibility creating optimally constructed districts direct evidence general assembly intent creating actual district including many hours trial testimony subject credibility determinations evidence district plausibly found satisfied plaintiffs burden debunking north carolina politics defense pp supp affirmed kagan delivered opinion thomas ginsburg breyer sotomayor joined thomas filed concurring opinion alito filed opinion concurring judgment part dissenting part roberts kennedy joined gorsuch took part consideration decision case opinion notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press roy cooper governor north carolina et appellants david harris et al appeal district middle district north carolina may justice kagan delivered opinion constitution entrusts job designing congressional districts also imposes important constraint state may use race predominant factor drawing district lines unless compelling reason case district ruled north carolina officials violated bar created two districts whose populations majority black applying deferential standard review factual findings underlying decision affirm equal protection clause fourteenth amendment limits racial gerrymanders legislative districting plans prevents state absence sufficient justification separating citizens different voting districts basis race virginia state bd elections slip internal quotation marks alteration omitted voter sues state officials drawing lines decisions call analysis first plaintiff must prove race predominant factor motivating legislature decision place significant number voters within without particular district miller johnson entails demonstrating legislature subordinated factors compactness respect political subdivisions partisan advantage racial considerations ibid plaintiff may make required showing direct evidence legislative intent circumstantial evidence district shape demographics mix second racial considerations predominated others design district must withstand strict scrutiny see slip burden thus shifts state prove sorting voters serves compelling interest narrowly tailored end ibid long assumed one compelling interest complying operative provisions voting rights act vra act stat amended et seq see shaw hunt shaw ii two provisions vra involved case section prohibits standard practice procedure results denial abridgement right vote account race construed ban extend vote dilution brought relevantly dispersal group members districts constitute ineffective minority voters thornburg gingles section time districting dispute worked different mechanism invalidated coverage formula see shelby county holder section required certain jurisdictions including various north carolina counties voting changes department justice forestall retrogression ability racial minorities elect preferred candidates beer state invokes vra justify districting must show meet narrow tailoring requirement strong basis evidence concluding statute required action alabama legislative black caucus alabama slip said otherwise state must establish good reasons think transgress act draw district lines ibid strong basis good reasons standard gives breathing room adopt reasonable compliance measures may prove perfect hindsight needed slip district assessment districting plan accordance inquiry described warrants significant deference appeal course retain full power correct errors law either stage analysis findings fact notably whether racial considerations predominated drawing district lines subject review clear error see fed rule civ proc easley cromartie cromartie ii thomas dissenting standard may reverse decided matter differently anderson bessemer city finding plausible light full record even another equally must govern case concerns north carolina recent redrawing two congressional districts long included substantial populations black voters current incarnation district anchored northeastern part state appendages stretching south west latter durham district begins part state takes large part charlotte travels northeast much way state northern border maps showing districts included appendix opinion quite history first encountered two districts versions shaw reno held voters stated equal protection claim alleging districts unwarranted racial gerrymanders see remand district case arrived back door see shaw ii time dismissed challenge district lack standing struck district design serpentine district held nothing justified reasonable attempt comply vra see next year state responded new districting plan including new district residents district brought another lawsuit alleging impermissible racial gerrymander district sustained claim twice times reversed see hunt cromartie cromartie cromartie ii racial considerations held predominate designing revised district rather district result political gerrymander effort engineer mostly without regard race safe democratic seat state redrew congressional districts account population changes revealed prior year census map went unchallenged neither district district black population called bvap majority whole former bvap around latter bvap around see app nonetheless five successive general elections conducted reconfigured districts candidates preferred voters contests handy margins district black voters candidates choice garnered much total vote never less see record pls exh district candidates vote high end low see another census necessitated yet another congressional map finally one issue case state senator robert rucho state representative david lewis republicans chaired two committees jointly responsible preparing revamped plan hired thomas hofeller veteran political mapmaker assist redrawing district lines several hearings drafts revisions later chambers state general assembly adopted scheme three men proposed new map among things significantly altered district district census revealed district substantially underpopulated comply constitution principle state needed place almost new people within district boundaries see app evenwel abbott slip explaining tates must draw congressional districts populations close perfect equality possible rucho lewis hofeller chose take people heavily black areas durham requiring extension district western line see appendix infra addition district bvap rose see app district part need significant changes overpopulated fewer people see still rucho lewis hofeller decided reconfigure district narrowing already snakelike body adding areas either end relevantly guilford county see appendix infra app changes appreciably shifted racial composition district district gained voting age lost whites age bvap increased see record fourth affidavit dan frey exh exh registered voters two districts david harris christine bowser called plaintiffs brought suit north carolina officials collectively state north carolina complaining impermissible racial gerrymanders bench trial district held districts unconstitutional judges agreed racial considerations predominated design district see harris mccrory supp mdnc applying strict scrutiny rejected state argument strong basis thinking vra compelled drawing district lines district majority panel held race predominated factors including partisanship explained state failed put forward reason compelling otherwise attention race designing district see ibid judge osteen dissented conclusion race rather politics drove district lines yet still characterized majority view minently reasonable state filed notice appeal noted probable jurisdiction mccrory harris ii address outset north carolina contention victory similar lawsuit dictate least influence disposition case state explains north carolina naacp several civil rights groups challenged districts state immediately enactment charging unlawful racial gerrymanders see brief appellants time plaintiffs us filed action state trial dickson rucho rejected claims finding district vra justified general assembly use race district race factor see app north carolina affirmed decision vote applying equivalent clear error review see dickson rucho modified denial cert pending north carolina makes two related arguments based dickson litigation first state trial judgment barred case altogether familiar principles claim issue preclusion second state conclusions cause us conduct searching review decision rather deferring usual factual findings reply brief state preclusion theory rests assertion plaintiffs two cases affiliated state acknowledges one person lawsuit generally bar another matter similar substance see taylor sturgell noting historic tradition everyone day plaintiffs two cases special relationship judgment one indeed bind see describing six categories qualifying relationships state contends harris bowser plaintiffs members organizations plaintiffs dickson according north carolina connection prevents pair raising anew questions state previously resolved groups see brief appellants north carolina never satisfied district alleged affiliation really existed state argued preclusion theory entitled summary judgment harris bowser responded members organizations brought dickson suit see record defs motion summary judgment record pls opposition motion summary judgment parties dueling contentions turned intricate issues groups membership policies harris payment dues national naacp bowser financial contribution mecklenburg county naacp made either member state branch unresolved factual disputes district denied north carolina motion summary judgment record july order nothing subsequent trial supported state assertion harris bowser organizational ties indeed state chose present evidence relating membership issue based resulting record district summarily rejected state claim harris bowser something independent plaintiffs see supp conclusion defeats north carolina attempt argue claim issue preclusion basis assessing factual assertions underlying state argument differently district nothing state evidence clearly rebuts harris bowser testimony never joined dickson groups need decide whether alleged memberships supported preclusion proved enough district reasonably thought state argument standard review also falls short rule review trial factual findings clear error contains exception findings diverge made another see fed rule civ proc findings fact must set aside unless clearly erroneous see also hernandez new york plurality opinion applying standard state findings whatever findings review receive benefit deference without regard whether separate suit seen matter differently must ask considering districts better view facts simply whether view clearly wrong mean state decision wholly irrelevant common sense else equal finding likely plainly wrong judges disagree cf glossip gross slip noting even less likely disturb factual determination multiple trial courts reached finding premise clear error review often two permissible two plausible views evidence anderson see supra even assuming state findings capture one view district assessment may yet represent another permissibility district account question us iii way turn merits case beginning appropriately enough district noted found race furnished predominant rationale district redesign see supra held state interest complying vra justify consideration race see supra uphold conclusions uncontested evidence record shows state mapmakers considering district purposefully established racial target make less majority population see supp senator rucho representative lewis coy expressing goal repeatedly told colleagues district comply vra senate debate example rucho explained district must include sufficient number make majority black district app similarly lewis informed house senate redistricting committees district must majority black voting age population objective communicated uncertain terms legislators consultant hofeller testified multiple times trial rucho lewis instructed draw district bvap excess percent supp see ibid instructions district drawn percent hofeller followed directions letter racial target direct significant impact district configuration alabama slip particular hofeller moved district borders encompass heavily black parts durham parts thus taking tens thousands additional voters change similar ones made words ensure district racial composition add correctly deviated districting practices otherwise followed app hofeller candidly admitted point example testified sometimes respect county precinct lines wished important thing create district see result district stark racial borders within counties portions fall inside district black populations two three times larger portions placed neighboring districts see brief amicus curiae cf alabama slip relying similar evidence find racial predominance faced body evidence showing announced racial target subordinated districting criteria produced boundaries amplifying divisions blacks whites district clearly err finding race predominated drawing district indeed three judges recognized hardly concluded anything see supp calling district textbook example districting substantial question whether district survive strict scrutiny applied racial gerrymanders noted earlier long assumed complying vra compelling interest see supra held districting narrowly tailored objective state good reasons thinking act demanded steps see supra north carolina argues district passes muster standard general assembly says state good reasons believe needed draw district district avoid section liability vote dilution brief appellants turn defense identified thornburg gingles three threshold conditions proving vote dilution vra see first minority group must sufficiently large geographically compact constitute majority reasonably configured legislative district second minority group must politically cohesive third district white majority must vote sufficiently bloc usually defeat minority preferred candidate ibid three showings explained needed establish minority group potential elect representative choice possible district racially polarized voting prevents district actually drawn submerg ed larger white voting population growe emison state good reason think gingles preconditions met good reason believe requires drawing district see bush vera plurality opinion electoral history provided evidence plaintiff demonstrate third gingles prerequisite effective white twenty years prior new plan adoption made less majority district voters district bvap usually hovered see supp app yet throughout two decades district noted district extraordinarily safe district preferred candidates supp closest election period candidate choice received total vote years share vote garnered candidates rose much see supra victories indeed landslides occurred district white population vote sufficiently bloc thwart black voters preference gingles rather meaningful number white voters joined politically cohesive black community elect group favored candidate lingo voting law district functioned election year election year crossover district members majority help large enough minority elect candidate choice bartlett strickland plurality opinion voters act way difficult see requirement met hence liability established experience gave state reason think vra required ramp district bvap state counters context past performance guarantee future results see brief appellants reply brief recall state redraw whole congressional map following census see supra particular state add nearly new people district meet standard see supra meant voters new district never voted see app reply brief north carolina contends question facing state mapmakers whether district violated rather question whether future district drawn without regard race issue state claims resolved focusing myopically past elections reasoning taken alone justify north carolina redesign district true enough legislature undertaking redistricting must assess whether new districts contemplates old ones sheds conform vra requirements true inescapable influx additional voters district may suggest possibility former track record compliance continue legislature intentionally adjusts racial composition still north carolina far downplays significance longtime pattern white crossover voting area form core redrawn district see gingles noting longtime voting patterns highly probative racial polarization even important north carolina point meaningful legislative inquiry rightly identifies key issue whether new enlarged district created without focus race however else state choose lead liability prospect significant population increase district raises answer question whether requires deliberate measures augment district bvap indeed population growth cut either direction depending comes district strong basis evidence conclude demands steps state must carefully evaluate whether plaintiff establish gingles preconditions including effective white new district created without measures see nothing legislative record fits absence accident rucho lewis proceeded wholly different theory arising gingles bartlett strickland demanded drawing district strickland involved geographic area form majority reasonably compact district see plurality opinion community however sizable enough enable formation crossover district substantial bloc black voters receiving help white ones elect candidates choice see supra plurality invoking first gingles precondition held require creating district minority group sufficiently large make majority reasonably shaped district simply apply see legislative record rucho lewis cited strickland mandating bvap district see app apparently reasoned strickland held require crossover districts groups insufficiently large gingles also satisfied crossover districts groups fact meeting gingles size condition effect concluded whenever legislature draw district must even crossover district also allow minority group elect favored candidates see tr counsel explanation tate interpreted strickland say order protect electoral strength thus avoid liability bvap district need ed percent idea though war jurisprudence strickland included state view third gingles condition condition even absence effective white claim succeed district like old district bvap made clear unless three gingles prerequisites established neither wrong remedy growe strickland far supporting north carolina view underscored necessity demonstrating effective white prevail suit plurality explained areas substantial crossover voting plaintiffs able establish third gingles precondition districts required see also ibid noting defend alleged violations pointing crossover voting patterns effective crossover districts thus north carolina belief compelled redraw district successful crossover district district rested strong basis evidence instead pure error law alabama slip sum although enjoy leeway take actions reasonably judged necessary proper interpretation vra latitude rescue district means insist state legislature redistricting determine precisely percent minority population vra demands ibid neither approve racial gerrymander whose necessity supported evidence whose raison legal mistake accordingly uphold district conclusion north carolina use race predominant factor designing district withstand strict scrutiny iv look west district making fifth appearance time district legality turns turns solely two possible reasons predominantly explains recent reconfiguration plaintiffs contended trial general assembly chose voters district district race particularly urged assembly intentionally increased district bvap name ensuring preclearance vra north carolina declined mount defense similar one considered district requirements fact justified changes district perhaps reasonably understood done see infra instead state altogether denied racial considerations accounted indeed played slightest role district redesign according state version events senator rucho representative lewis hofeller moved voters district part strictly political gerrymander without regard race record mapmakers drew lines words pack district democrats hearing evidence supporting parties accounts district accepted getting bottom dispute like one poses special challenges trial usual case alleging racial gerrymander one raised partisanship defense make real headway exploring challenged district conformity traditional districting principles compactness respect county lines shaw ii example emphasized highly irregular shape concluding race predominated design internal quotation marks omitted evidence loses much value state asserts partisanship defense bizarre shape new district arise political motivation well racial one cromartie crucially political racial reasons capable yielding similar oddities district boundaries course racial identification highly correlated political affiliation cromartie ii result redistricting realities trial formidable task must make sensitive inquiry circumstantial direct evidence intent assess whether plaintiffs managed disentangle race politics prove former drove district lines cromartie internal quotation marks omitted job different generally easier described earlier review district finding racial predominance clear error except made legal mistake see supra standard review affirm finding long plausible reverse left definite firm conviction mistake committed anderson see supra deciding side line come give singular deference trial judgments credibility witnesses see fed rule civ proc proper explained various cues bear heavily listener understanding belief said lost appellate later sifting paper record anderson light principles uphold district finding racial predominance respecting district evidence offered trial including live witness testimony subject credibility determinations adequately supports conclusion race politics accounted district reconfiguration error law infected judgment contrary north carolina view district call dismiss challenge plaintiffs proffer alternative design district circumstantial evidence legislature intent begin facts figures showing redistricting district affected racial composition explained district unlike district approximately right size north carolina indeed much change total population see supra slimming district adding couple knobs snakelike body including guilford county general assembly incorporated tens thousands new voters pushed tens thousands old ones changes followed racial lines specific new district voting age fewer whites age difference made voters racial categories see ibid voter exchanges produced sizable jump district bvap see ibid assembly thus turned district district see supra district plaintiffs pointed trial rucho lewis publicly stated racial considerations lay behind district augmented bvap release issued along draft districting plan two legislators ascribed change need achieve preclearance plan vra see app time covered guilford county thus prohibited retrogression electoral position racial minorities beer see fed reg part guilford county lay within district meant department justice closely scrutinize district new lines light facts rucho lewis wrote presence guilford county twelfth district drawn proposed twelfth district bvap level percentage bvap found current twelfth district app according two legislators measure ould ensure preclearance plan ibid thus district found rucho lewis account evince intentionality district racial composition vra increased number supp hofeller confirmed intent deposition testimony expert report redistricting hofeller testified black residents guilford county fell within district others fell within neighboring district legislators continued decided reunite black community guilford county twelfth app see hofeller responded language district emphasized order cautious draw plan pass muster voting rights act see supp likewise hofeller expert report highlighted role vra altering district lines indful guilford county covered hofeller explained legislature determined prudent reunify county community district app change caused district compactness decrease lowered reock score sacrifice well worth making avoid possibility vra charge inhibit preclearance ibid state preclearance submission justice department indicated similar determination concentrate black voters district one concerns redistricting chairs north carolina noted justice department objection failure state create second majority minority district addition district submission went explain considering alternatives redistricters designed version district raise bvap thus concluded state new district increases community ability elect candidate choice district view passage indicated making district mere coincidence deliberate attempt avoid perceived obstacles preclearance supp still perhaps dramatic testimony trial came congressman mel watt represented district years recounted conversation rucho district future according watt rucho said leadership told ramp minority percentage district percent comply voting rights law app see rucho job go convince community racial target made sense act ibid see district credited watt testimony conversation citing courtroom demeanor consistent recollection probing supp view watt account piece evidence including redistricters attainment bvap indicating general assembly name vra compliance deliberately redrew district district see state contrary story politics alone drove decisionmaking came trial mostly hofeller testimony hofeller explained rucho lewis instructed first foremost make map whole favorable republican candidates app one stratagem effort pack historically democratic district even democratic voters thus leaving surrounding districts reliably republican see end hofeller recounted drew district new boundaries based political data specifically voting behavior precincts presidential election barack obama john mccain see indeed claimed displayed data racial data computer screen mapping district see part testimony hofeller stated election data explained among things incorporation black white parts guilford county located district see drew line adjacent areas hofeller testified check racial data ind resulting configuration district issue district however disbelieved hofeller asserted indifference new district racial composition recalled hofeller contrary deposition testimony statement repeated slightly different words expert report rucho lewis decided shift voters district order ensure preclearance see supp app explained even trial hofeller given testimony undermined blame politics claim right asserting rucho lewis told use race designing district hofeller added qualification except perhaps regard guilford county see district understood kind exception goes pretty far toward swallowing rule district saw net increase black voters guilford county relative net gain fewer across district newly added parts county played major role pushing district bvap see district came away hofeller testimony unpersuaded decisive influx black voters accident whether racial county displayed computer screen fixed head thought hofeller denial districting ang hollow supp finally expert report stephen ansolabehere lent circumstantial support plaintiffs case ansolabehere looked six counties overlapping district essentially region mapmakers drawn district population question asked counties actually ended district answer found region white registered voters black ones see app ansolabehere next controlled party registration discovered made essentially difference example region white democrats wound district whereas black democrats see upshot regardless party black voter three four times likely white voter cast ballot within district borders see ibid stark disparities led ansolabehere conclude race party dominant factor district design report district held thus tended confirm plaintiffs direct evidence racial predominance see supp district assessment evidence proved racial predominance clears bar clear error review emphasized districting plan architects repeatedly described influx district compliance measure political gerrymandering contemporaneous descriptions comported credibility determinations trial testimony watt told truth recounted rucho resolve hit target conversely hofeller skirted truth especially guilford county claimed followed criteria drawing district lines disrespect credibility judgments see anderson choice believe one two witnesses told coherent facially plausible story contradicted extrinsic evidence virtually never clear error generally take upon weigh trial evidence first hear see reviewing oversteps rule undertakes duplicate role lower doubt interpretations evidence permissible maybe evaluated testimony differently presided trial maybe either way matters far definite firm conviction district made mistake concluding record racial considerations predominated district design state mounts final legal rather factual attack district finding racial predominance race politics competing explanations district lines argues north carolina party challenging district must introduce particular kind circumstantial evidence alternative map achieves legislature political objectives improving racial balance brief appellants emphasis deleted true state says irrespective evidence case even plaintiff offers powerful direct proof legislature adopted map racial reasons see tr oral arg plaintiffs agree present north carolina concludes prevail dissent echoes argument see post doubt alternative districting plan kind north carolina describes serve key evidence dispute one often highly persuasive way disprove state contention politics drove district lines show legislature capacity accomplish partisan goals without moving many members minority group district really sorting political behavior instead skin color argument goes done least well done round set arguments familiar means undermining claim action based permissible rather prohibited ground see dretke real explanation striking juror warren prosecutors struck juror jenkins hardly means suppose plaintiff dispute like one introduced scores leaked emails state officials instructing mapmaker pack many black voters possible district telling make sure bvap hit based evidence find racial rather political factors predominated district design without alternative map cases lacking kind smoking gun long evidence offered satisfies plaintiff burden proof bush vera example upheld finding racial predominance based substantial direct evidence legislature racial motivations including credible testimony political figures statements made preclearance submission plus circumstantial evidence redistricters access racial political data level needed explain intricate designs see plurality opinion single member thought absence made difference similarly matter case plaintiffs introduction mostly direct circumstantial evidence documents issued redistricting process testimony government officials expert analysis demographic patterns gave district sufficient basis sans map resolve question plaintiff task words simply persuade trial without special evidentiary prerequisite race politics predominant consideration deciding place significant number voters within without particular district alabama slip internal quotation marks omitted cf slip rejecting similar effort elevate one form persuasive circumstantial evidence dispute respecting racial predominance mandatory precondition threshold requirement proof burden proof often held demanding cromartie ii plaintiff sometimes need alternative map practical matter make case area equal protection law forced plaintiffs submit one particular form proof prevail see arlington heights metropolitan housing development offering varied list subjects proper inquiry determining whether racially discriminatory intent existed make sense equal protection clause prohibits unjustified drawing district lines based race alternative map merely evidentiary tool show substantive violation occurred neither presence absence resolve racial gerrymandering north carolina insists however already said contrary particularly decision cromartie ii imposed requirement brief appellants state observes cromartie ii reversed clearly erroneous trial finding race rather politics predominated assignment voters earlier incarnation district see supra state emphasizes part opinion faulted cromartie plaintiffs failing offer convincing account legislature accomplished political goals map chose see stated case one districts issue racial identification correlates highly political affiliation party attacking legislatively drawn boundaries must show least legislature achieved legitimate political objectives alternative ways comparably consistent traditional districting principles party must also show districting alternatives brought significantly greater racial balance according north carolina passage alone settles case makes alternative map essential finding district district race partisanship correlated racial gerrymander reply brief dissent says see post reasoning cromartie ii belies reading opinion nowhere attempts explicate justify categorical rule state claims find certainly dissent current defense rule see post nowhere evidence given strangeness rule treat mere form evidence substance constitutional claim see supra think adopted without explanation still entire thrust cromartie ii opinion runs counter inflexible requirement adopted rule need weigh piece evidence case determine whether taken together adequate show predominance race legislature process exactly cromartie ii span pages exhaustive detail item item discussed dismantled supposed proof direct circumstantial redistricting careful analysis superfluous dogged effort wasted viewed absence inadequacy single form evidence necessarily dooming gerrymandering claim rightly understood passage cromartie ii different narrower point arising reflecting evidence offered case direct evidence racial gerrymander thought extremely weak said one piece says little nothing whether race played predominant role drawing district lines said another less persuasive kinds direct evidence found significant redistricting cases emphasis deleted report plaintiffs expert impress us overmuch view offer ed little insight legislature true motive left set arguments variety example plaintiffs offered several maps purporting show legislature might swapped mostly black mostly white precincts obtain greater racial balance without harming legislature political objective internal quotation marks omitted determined none proposed exchanges worked advertised essentially plaintiffs redistricted differently arguments failed terms see hence emerged demand quoted maps actually show plaintiffs case like cromartie ii one plaintiffs meager direct evidence racial gerrymander needed rely evidence forgone alternatives maps kind carry day case unlike cromartie ii even though involves electoral district twenty years case turned possibility creating optimally constructed districts direct evidence general assembly intent creating actual district including many hours trial testimony subject credibility determinations evidence district plausibly found satisfied plaintiffs burden debunking north carolina really politics defense need alternative map job pay precedents respect extend far beyond circumstances designed applying clear error standard uphold district conclusions racial considerations predominated designing district district district must north carolina made attempt justify districting district uphold district decision vra gave north carolina good reason reshuffle voters race accordingly affirm judgment district ordered justice gorsuch took part consideration decision case congressional district enacted congressional district enacted thomas concurring roy cooper governor north carolina et appellants david harris et al appeal district middle district north carolina may justice thomas concurring join opinion correctly applies precedents constitution voting rights act vra et seq write briefly explain additional grounds affirm district note agreement particular analysis district think north carolina concession created district district sufficient trigger strict scrutiny see brief appellants see also virginia state bd elections slip thomas concurring judgment part dissenting part also think north carolina satisfy strict scrutiny based efforts comply vra see ante view apply redistricting therefore justify racial gerrymander see holder hall thomas concurring judgment district agree district clearly err determined race north carolina predominant motive drawing district see ante conclusion reached last reviewed district easley cromartie cromartie ii dissenting opinion reached contrary conclusion cromartie ii misapplying deferential standard reviewing factual findings see today decision repeat cromartie ii error indeed confines case particular facts thus represents welcome course correction application standard opinion alito roy cooper governor north carolina et appellants david harris et al appeal district middle district north carolina may justice alito chief justice justice kennedy join concurring judgment part dissenting part precedent treated like disposable household item say paper plate napkin used tossed trash today decision regarding north carolina congressional district junks rule adopted prior remarkably similar challenge congressional district easley cromartie cromartie ii considered constitutionality version district adopted district basic shape district us challengers argued legislature predominant reason adopting configuration race ibid state responded motive race politics objective state insisted create district democratic candidate win see ibid brief state appellants easley cromartie nos rejecting explanation found legislature predominant motive racial specifically pack district see cromartie hunt supp ednc held finding fact clearly erroneous cromartie ii critical factor analysis failure challenging district come forward alternative redistricting map served legislature political objective well challenged version without producing racial effects noting race party affiliation north carolina highly correlated laid rule case one party attacking legislatively drawn boundaries must show least legislature achieved legitimate political objectives alternative ways comparably consistent traditional districting principles party must also show districting alternatives brought significantly greater racial balance appellees failed make showing district back us census north carolina legislature republicans majority drew present version district challengers contend version violates equal protection predominant motive legislature racial pack district voters legislature responds objective political pack district democrats thus increase chances republican candidates neighboring districts might think cromartie ii rule equally applicable case differ relevant particular majority executes stunning challengers failure produce alternative map meets cromartie ii test inconsequential simply matter ante treatment precedent state legislatures right expect failure produce alternative map doomed challengers cromartie ii true partisan gerrymandering always unsavory issue issue whether district drawn predominantly race record shows constitution state legislatures initial power draw districts federal elections vieth jubelirer plurality opinion power course must exercised conformity fourteenth amendment equal protection clause equal protection clause central mandate racial neutrality governmental decisionmaking miller johnson effort separate voters different districts basis race must satisfy rigors strict scrutiny shaw reno shaw stressed however courts obligated exercise extraordinary caution adjudicating claims state drawn district lines basis race miller review districting legislation represents serious intrusion vital local functions good faith state legislature must presumed legislature almost always aware racial demographics redistricting evidence awareness show legislature violated equal protection instead held ace must simply motivation drawing district predominant factor motivating legislature districting decision cromartie ii citation internal quotation marks omitted emphasis original evidentiary burden demanding one ibid internal quotation marks omitted thus although legislature motivation factual question hunt cromartie cromartie appellate conducting review must always keep mind heavy evidentiary obligation borne challenging districting plan see cromartie ii supra recognizing intrusive potential judicial intervention legislative realm miller supra warned courts must cautious imputing racial motive state redistricting plan ii caution especially appropriate state articulated legitimate political explanation districting decision voting population one race political affiliation highly correlated cromartie ii repeatedly acknowledged problem distinguishing racial political motivations redistricting context see cromartie supra bush vera plurality opinion problem arises confluence two factors first status constitution partisan gerrymandering acknowledged olitics political considerations inseparable districting apportionment gaffney cummings well known state legislative majorities often attempt gain electoral advantage process see davis bandemer partisan gerrymandering dates back founding see vieth supra plurality opinion might find distasteful ur prior decisions made clear jurisdiction may engage constitutional political gerrymandering even happens loyal democrats happen black democrats even state conscious fact cromartie supra emphasis original vera supra plurality opinion second factor racial identification highly correlated political affiliation many jurisdictions cromartie ii describing correlation north carolina phenomenon makes difficult distinguish political decisionmaking around voters cast ballots democratic candidate recent plan packs democratic voters look much like plans packs voters legislature may placing reliable democratic precincts within district without regard race end district containing heavily precincts reasons political rather racial addressed knotty problem cromartie ii noted came us district held trial found fact legislature predominant reason drawing district race politics review clear error case exhibit diffidence today decision carefully examined piece direct circumstantial evidence district relied conceded evidence provided support finding end opinion stated put matter generally follows case one districts approximate equivalent issue racial identification correlates highly political affiliation party attacking legislatively drawn boundaries must show least legislature achieved legitimate political objectives alternative ways comparably consistent traditional districting principles party must also show districting alternatives brought significantly greater racial balance plaintiffs failed make showing held district clearly erred finding race predominated drawing district ibid cromartie ii plainly meant establish rule use broad class cases rule employed one time stated put ting matter generally describing must shown cases districts approximate equivalent issue racial identification correlates highly political affiliation ibid identified carry burden new rule party attacking legislatively drawn boundaries party must show legislature achieved legitimate political objectives alternative ways comparably consistent traditional districting principles achieving significantly greater racial balance ibid reversed finding racial predominance due plaintiffs failure carry burden established evidentiary rule ibid plaintiffs failed carry burden case cromartie ii plaintiffs allege racial gerrymander state defense political motives explain district boundaries case cromartie ii instructed plaintiffs must submit alternative redistricting map demonstrating legislature achieved political goals without racial effects giving rise racial gerrymandering allegation spite instruction plaintiffs case failed submit see brief appellees based said cromartie ii type claim involving congressional district reversal foregone conclusion turns however cromartie ii rule good one use even case involving district tossed aside requirement deserves better logical response difficult problem distinguishing racial political motivations race political party preference closely correlate problem serious institutional federalism implications federal says race legislature predominant purpose drawing district accuses legislature offensive demeaning conduct miller indeed said racial gerrymanders bea uncomfortable resemblance political apartheid shaw grave accusation level state legislature addition review districting legislation represents serious intrusion vital local functions well settled reapportionment primarily duty responsibility state miller supra internal quotation marks omitted see also cromartie ii federal finds race predominated redistricting process inserts process appropriate indeed constitutionally required legislature truly draw district boundaries basis race mistakes political gerrymander racial gerrymander illegitimately invades traditional domain state authority usurping role state elected representatives violence proper role judiciary powers reserved constitution final danger race politics correlate federal courts transformed weapons political warfare unless courts exercise extraordinary caution distinguishing redistricting redistricting miller supra invite losers redistricting process seek obtain achieve political arena majority party draws districts favor minority party deny majority political victory prevailing racial gerrymandering claim even minority party loses exact heavy price using judicial process engage political trench warfare years end although imply occurred case reflect litigation sort look like fifth time north carolina congressional district come since almost reached new redistricting cycle without certainty constitutionality north carolina current redistricting map given dangers cromartie ii justified crafting evidentiary rule prevent false majority nevertheless absolves challengers failure submit alternative map argues alternative map means proving racial predominance concludes alternative map matter case ante emphasis original even cases plaintiff prove racial gerrymandering claim without alternative map exceptional ones evidence racial predominance overwhelming definitely one cases see part infra plaintiffs failure produce alternative map mandates reversal moreover even exceptional case absence map still strong evidence district boundaries determined politics rather absence map matter cf ante majority questions legitimacy requirement ante rule sound one rests familiar principles regarding allocation burdens production persuasion assessment evidence first accordance general rule civil cases plaintiffs case like bear burden proving legislature motive unconstitutional second must shown simply race played part districting process played predominant role third party challenging districting plan must overcome strong presumption plan drawn constitutionally permissible reasons miller supra fourth responsible adopting challenged plan contend plan devised partisan political ends making admission may sit well voters explanation lightly dismissed cf fed rule evid finally cromartie ii rule takes account difficulty proving negative challengers like present case producing map meets cromartie ii test hard predominant reason challenged plan really race politics plaintiffs mounting challenge districting plan almost always sophisticated litigants assistance experts certainly true present case today expert computer easily churn redistricting maps control number specified criteria including prior voting patterns political party registration therefore indeed possible find map meets cromartie ii test hard challengers state hand prove map meeting cromartie ii test drawn even state submits say alternative maps fail test prove map pass relative ease opposing parties gather evidence familiar consideration allocating burden production see mueller kirkpatrick federal evidence ed wright graham federal practice procedure pp iii even set aside challengers failure submit alternative map district finding race predominated drawing district clearly erroneous state offered strong coherent evidence politics race legislature predominant aim evidence supporting district contrary finding weak manifestly inadequate light high evidentiary standard cases require challengers meet order prove racial analysis proceed three steps first discuss legislature mapmaker approach entirely consistent stated political objectives explain approach inevitably racial effect challengers object finally address evidence racial predominance majority relies show inadequate sustain district judgment order understand mapmaker approach first element kept mind basic shape district legitimately taken given new census requires redistricting common practice start plan used prior map change boundaries prior districts needed comply mandate achieve desired ends approach honors settled expectations prior plan survived legal challenge minimizes risk new plan overturned approach taken veteran mapmaker present case thomas hofeller app normal starting point always existing districts hofeller began prior version district even though version strange serpentine shape cromartie app design long history first adopted subsequent redistricting plans built plan ibid cromartie ii sustained constitutionality version district featured basic shape see retention basic shape challenged using prior design starting point hofeller assumed district remain strong democratic distric app stated drew overall redistricting plan increased number competitive districts gop candidates therefore moved democratic voters district order increase republican opportunities surrounding districts map us district bordered four running counterclockwise district northwest district southwest district southeast district northeast see appendix ante according hofeller aim make four districts considered whole secure republicans app hofeller set search pockets democratic voters moved district areas adjoining close district prior boundaries six counties district passes three heavily democratic also populous forsyth guilford mecklenburg contain major population centers greensboro charlotte respectively see record app measure voting preferences hofeller used results recent presidential election election election three counties voted strongly democratic candidate barack obama three counties cabarrus davidson rowan voted republican candidate senator john mccain see record two three democratic counties forsyth guilford located northern end district democratic county mecklenburg southern end see appendix ante middle district often called corridor passes three counties cabarrus davidson rowan ibid thus mapmaker sat increase proportion democrats district reduce proportion neighboring districts obvious way pull additional democrats district north south populous heavily democratic counties shifting republican voters corridor essence hofeller majority acknowledges ante hofeller narrow ed district already snakelike body adding areas either end app table hofeller testified sought shift parts mecklenburg county districts order reduce percentage democrats two districts required increase coverage mecklenburg county district hofeller testified also political plans current map district differed substantially version prior map hofeller wanted improve republicans prospects new district minimizing coverage guilford county democratic population also meant increasing population guilford county democrats district influx democratic voters two populous counties district required shedding voters elsewhere order comply mandate see kirkpatrick preisler population removed added bordering district app parts davidson rowan counties therefore shifted district table hofeller testified sufficient satisfy standard also move voters heavily democratic forsyth county district undermine political objective explained district stronger republicans begin take forsyth democratic precincts without endangering republican chances district see also end result new map issue three major counties north south constitute larger percentage district total population corridor lost population see table finding comparison presidential election vote old new versions districts shows effect hofeller map district four districts bordering district map democratic district saw drop almost democratic vote new map see record district saw drop percentage registered democrats although vote percentage democratic presidential candidate remained essentially increasing district heavily republican prior map redrawn absorb democrats forsyth county saw swing favor democratic candidate remained strong republican district ibid new district less susceptible comparison boundaries completely different district bearing number old plan new district solidly republican republican presidential vote percentage nearly ibid stated state considered rejected constitutional challenge us increasing number democratic voters twelfth congressional district located mecklenburg guilford counties congressional plan created districts competitive republican candidates compared versions districts app finding results subsequent congressional elections show hofeller plan achieved goal prior adoption current plan democrats districts including district republicans controlled districts including district republican candidates house representatives races least accordance map design democratic seats remaining districts sum strong evidence record support hofeller testimony changes made map designed maximize republican opportunities turn connection mapmaker strategy effect percentage district recognized cromartie ii political party preference race highly correlated north carolina generally area congressional district particular app state trial finding racial identification correlates highly political affiliation north carolina challenger expert stephen ansolabehere corroborated important point ansolabehere calculated statewide correlation race voting found correlation high table see also levin fox forde elementary statistics social research ed witte witte statistics ed area district correlation even higher ansolabehere found correlation approach ed app almost complete overlap black democrats also constitute supermajority democrats area covered district version district drawn democrats never challenged racial gerrymander black registered voters constituted democrats district record see also app finding means mapmaker seeking pull democrats district unavoidably pull large percentage distribution democratic voters magnified effect hofeller plan required identification areas democratic strength near district prior boundaries hofeller prepared maps showing distribution democratic voters see maps show voters highly concentrated around major urban areas forsyth county greensboro guilford county charlotte mecklenberg county ansolabehere challengers expert prepared maps showing distribution black registered voters counties see record comparison two sets maps reveals clusters democratic voters generally overlap registered black voters words population nearby democrats moved district heavily black upshot long legislature chose retain basic shape district increase number democrats district inevitable democrats brought disproportionately black none come surprise basic shape district created census express goal north carolina legislature create district see shaw unusual shape originally designed capture pockets black voters see shaw hunt shaw ii although legislature modified district since see cromartie describing changes version version retains basic shape continues track interstate ibid record appellees complaint congressional district existed roughly current form since drawn majority district see also app showing versions district original design district devised ensure high concentration black voters long basic design retained one expect continue plaintiffs failed offer alternative map hofeller produced map showing district looked like computer programmed simply maximize democratic vote percentage district still abiding requirement result version district similar version approved north carolina legislature see indeed plan black voting age population actually higher district black voting age population table thus increase black voting age population district easily explained coherent generally successful political strategy cromartie ii legislature may placing reliable democratic precincts within district without regard race end district containing heavily precincts reasons political rather racial amazingly reader majority opinion opinion district remain almost entirely ignorant legislature political strategy relationship strategy racial composition district majority analysis like hamlet without majority focuses almost attention references race responsible drafting adoption redistricting plan majority reads far much references first plaintiffs prove simply race played role districting process legislature predominant consideration second explained must exercise extraordinary caution finding state legislature predominant reason districting plan racial miller means comments taken context given sinister possible meaning third findings state courts virtually identical challenge district entitled respectful consideration north carolina trial hearing much evidence found legislature predominant motive political racial decision affirmed north carolina dickson rucho vacated remanded aff remand cert pending even judgment state case bar present case doctrine res judicata see ante finding illustrates thinness plaintiffs proof finally must kept mind references race responsible drawing adopting redistricting plan necessarily evidence plan adopted improper racial reasons precedents unconstitutional government consider race almost context therefore mention race decisionmakers may cause suspicion said however redistricting context one thing state like north carolina either wholly partially within coverage voting rights act redistrict without heeding provision prohibition racial retrogression see alabama legislative black caucus alabama slip therefore race kept mind addition legislatures must also take account possibility challenge voting rights act claiming plan illegally dilutes voting strength minority community see league latin american citizens perry state ultimately concludes must take race account order comply voting rights act must show basis evidence support choice made alabama legislative black caucus supra slip involved redistricting process may legitimately make statements voting rights act compliance deciding act provide need districting understandable individuals explain plan happens satisfy criteria voting rights act challengers might insist short voting rights act consideration discussion racial effects plan may expected june statement begin piece evidence majority mention namely first item cited district support finding evidence consisted june statement senator rucho representative lewis state legislators took lead adoption current map statement rucho lewis referred constructing voting rights act majority black districts app seizing upon use plural term districts seemed think found smoking gun harris mccrory supp mdnc state insisted plan drew one congressional district district since june statement clearly refers multiple districts majority minority viewed statement telling evidence additional congressional district presumably district intentionally designed district thus based race glaring problem analysis june statement state legislative districts federal congressional districts see app amicus curiae support plaintiffs concedes district made mistake relying june statement brief majority contrast tries ignore error district gave june statement opinion mentioning first analysis district seemed think evidence particularly significant stating reference multiple districts result happenstance mere slip pen supp district error shows troubling lack precision preclearance request voting rights act north carolina requested preclearance department justice shortly legislature approved new congressional plan preclearance application state noted ne concerns redistricting chairs justice department objected congressional plan failure state create second majority minority district app application says redistricting chairs sought input congressman mel watt incumbent represented district regarding options district consultation chairs impression congressman watt oppose redrawing twelfth district originally contemplated justice department objection ibid chairs drew district ased part input congressman watt two sentences later paragraph application observed black voting age population district went therefore district maintains fact increases community ability elect candidate choice district according majority statement shows determination concentrate black voters district ante fact shows thing statement explains senator rucho representative lewis decided construct district district justice department demanded ased part input received congressman watt thought oppose drawing district originally contemplated justice department objection app anything document cuts finding racial predominance statement reference increase district black voting age population hardly shows legislature altered district purpose causing increase entirely natural interpretation redistricting chairs simply reported fact justice department event department renewed voting rights act concerns reading great deal lines adopting sinister possible interpretation statement viewed pointed evidence predominantly racial motive mel watt testimony district state trial congressman watt testified redistricting plan developed senator rucho invited home discuss new boundaries district according congressman watt senator rucho said republican leadership wanted ramp congressional district percent black believed required voting rights act state proceedings senator rucho denied making statement another state legislator present meeting representative ruth samuelson gave similar testimony neither senator rucho representative samuelson testified federal although state testimony made part federal record see district credited congressman watt testimony based assessment demeanor consistency recollection supp accept credibility finding purposes even assuming congressman watt recollection completely accurate testimony shows legislative leaders one point process thought draw district district order comply voting rights act show actually draw district goal creating district explained discussion preclearance request senator rucho representative lewis stated ultimately turned away creation district consulting congressman watt based part input congressman watt said decided draw district department justice suggested district app account fully consistent congressman watt testimony meeting senator rucho congressman watt noted senator rucho uncomfortable notion increasing black voting age population congressman watt testified told senator rucho opposed idea makes sense senator rucho dissuaded taking course congressman watt reaction hofeller consistently testified never asked meet particular black voting age population target see part infra data displayed screen drew district political data see infra thus congressman watt testimony even taken face value entirely consistent preclearance request recounts initially contemplating possibility drawing district district legislative leadership met congressman watt convinced hofeller statements guilford county prior map guilford county greensboro community divided districts done hofeller explained make old districts strongly democratic app see also record showing racial demographics guilford precincts maps republican legislature wanted make area surrounding district republican new map eliminated old district created new district bearing number farther east territory north greensboro previously district placed new district district constructed district new map moved greensboro area new district move entirely consistent legislature stated goal concentrating democrats district making surrounding districts hospitable republican candidates hofeller testified placement greensboro community district result political strategy stated portion guilford county absorbed district moved cd substantial black population moved cd substantial democratic political voting record app hofeller maintained never instructed draw district district increase district black voting age population see instead testified political considerations determined boundaries district data displayed computer screen drew challenged map voting data presidential hofeller acknowledged however concern possibility voting rights act challenge treatment greensboro community guilford county covered voting rights act noted prohibits retrogression old map guilford county community split old district district districts black voters able elect candidates choice allying white democratic voters new map however greensboro black community split district new district black voters latter district unlikely elect candidate choice placing community district avoided consequence even congressman watt conceded potential concerns relating black community guilford county thrust many hofeller statements treatment guilford county reuniting greensboro black community district nothing welcome byproduct political strategy testified first drew district based political considerations checked ensure guilford county black population fractured hen checked found issue guilford county fracturing black community see also testimony entirely innocuous doubt however hofeller also made statements may read imply concern voting rights act litigation part motivation treatment guilford county testified trial instructed use race form except perhaps regard guilford county emphasis added see legislature determined prudent reunify community guilford county decided reunite black community guilford county twelfth statements hofeller convinced district drawing district purely politically driven affair supp order prevail plaintiffs show much race predominant reason drawing district bits testimony fall far short showing decision cromartie ii illustrates point case legislature mapmaker made statement remarkably similar hofeller gerry cohen legislative staff member responsible drafting districting plans reported moved greensboro black community need take await direction admission persuade legislature predominant motive racial majority ignores obvious parallel cromartie ii moreover attempt magnify importance treatment guilford county majority plays games statistics district saw net increase black voters guilford county relative net gain fewer across district newly added parts county played major role pushing district bvap ante highly misleading first since black voting age population district barely specifically almost decision increased number voting age blacks district said played major role pushing district bvap second majority provides total number voting age blacks added district guilford county approximately alongside total number voting age blacks added district approximately effect making guilford county look like overwhelming contributor district net increase black voting age population truth mecklenburg county far greatest contributor voting age blacks district absolute terms approximately terms new voting age blacks approximately see app indeed matters majority much individual counties increased district black voting age population percentage davidson county deserves attention well since portion county within district lost voting age whites blacks ibid greater net number voting age blacks added district guilford county mecklenburg county ibid much majority opinion issue nuanced much favorable state majority seem july statement reasons similar explained majority makes far much statement issued senator rucho representative lewis july new districting plan proposed particularly light hofeller later testimony legislature partisan objectives apparent statement paint entirely reliable picture legislature aims statement begins proclamation beginning goal remained development fair legal congressional legislative districts statement seriously downplays role politics process acknowledging ignorant partisan impacts districts created statement discusses treatment guilford county section heading compliance voting rights act section rucho lewis state presence guilford county twelfth district drawn proposed twelfth district black voting age level percentage black voting age population found current twelfth district believe measure ensure preclearance plan majority district interpret passage say rucho lewis decided move black voters guilford county district order ward voting rights act liability ante vra rucho lewis increased number district citing supp emphasis original hardly plausible interpretation statement easily understood explanation legislature chose add guilford county back cd district ended increased ability elect candidates rather legislature explaining chose add guilford county back cd racial results addition created osteen concurring part dissenting part emphasis original obligated presume good faith north carolina legislature latter interpretation appropriate one even one adopts majority interpretation adds little analysis majority close incriminating reading statement issued win public support new plan may represent poetic justice attempted blur partisan aim new district legislature hoisted petard poetic justice type justice supposed dispense statement evidence race played role drawing district mistake give political statement much weight made precisely point cromartie ii legislative redistricting leader roy cooper testified legislative committee proposed plan racial partisan balance emphasis added district read statement literally concluded district drawn racial objective ibid dismissed statement reasoning although phrase shows legislature considered race along partisan geographic considerations says little nothing whether race played predominant role comparatively speaking ibid good cromartie ii also good ansolabehere testimony finally majority cites ansolabehere testimony black registered voters counties covered district likely drawn district white registered voters black registered democrats likely pulled white registered democrats ante obvious flaw ansolabehere analysis assumed race driving force behind drawing district white black registered voters approximately likelihood inclusion given congressional district app internal quotation marks omitted true black white voters evenly distributed throughout region maps showed see record black voters concentrated cities located north south ends district constituted supermajority democrats area covered district see part supra long basic shape district retained moving democrats areas outside close old district boundaries naturally picked far black democrats white democrats explanation eluded ansolabehere refused consider either implications political strategy legislature claimed pursued effects changes district surrounding districts app result distorted largely useless analysis iv reviewing evidence outlined two themes emerge first district borders racial composition readily explained political considerations effects legislature political strategy demographics district second majority largely ignores explanation instead adopts damning interpretation available evidence analytical maneuvers violate clearly established precedent cases say must extraordinary state articulated legitimate political explanation districting decision cromartie ii supra emphasis deleted majority ignores political explanation cases say good faith state legislature must presumed miller majority presumes opposite cromartie ii held plaintiffs case like obligated produce map showing legislature achieved political objectives without racial effect seen challenged plan majority junks rule says plaintiffs failure produce map simply matter ante judgment regarding district reversed therefore respectfully dissent footnotes plaintiff succeeds stage even evidence reveals legislature elevated race predominant criterion order advance goals including political ones see bush vera plurality opinion holding race predominated legislature deliberately spread black population among several districts effort protect democratic incumbents miller johnson stating use race proxy political interest prohibit ed challenges constitutionality congressional districts heard district courts right direct appeal see state argument contrary rests legal proposition foreclosed almost soon raised according state racial considerations predominate drawing district lines unless actual conflict lines traditional districting principles brief appellants rejected view earlier term holding race furnished overriding reason choosing one map others showing inconsistency enacted plan traditional redistricting criteria unnecessary finding racial predominance virginia state bd elections slip event evidence recounted text indicates district boundaries conflict traditional districting principles example splitting numerous counties precincts see supra uphold district finding racial predominance even incorrect legal standard state proposes district parties also presented arguments relating first gingles prerequisite contesting whether community region sufficiently large compact form majority reasonably shaped district chose decide question aside state unelaborated assertion question first factor satisfied brief appellants parties briefed argued issue us therefore occasion address north carolina calls attention two expert reports voting patterns throughout state neither casts light relevant issue first thomas brunell showed elections many state counties exhibited statistically significant racially polarized voting app second ray block found various elections across state white voters noticeably less likely black voters support black candidates data points based past elections experts opined one great surprise north carolina discernible relationships race voting district found see harris mccrory supp mdnc generalized conclusion fails meaningfully indeed address relevant local question whether new version district created without focus race black voters encounter sufficient white cancel ability elect representatives choice gingles reports answer whether legislature needed boost district bvap avoid potential liability justice alito charges us ignor ing state defense making analysis like hamlet without prince post opinion concurring judgment part dissenting part hereinafter dissent see post simply take state account one side thoroughly case discuss side district rejected primarily factual grounds contrast dissent consistently treats state version events calls legislature political strategy relationship strategy district racial composition post simple fact matter premise rather contested claim case see post dissent narrative thus tracks testimony hofeller state star witness trial much dissent portion transcript saved fair bit trouble compare post app imagine update dissent theatrical reference inherit wind retold solely perspective william jennings bryan nary thought given competing viewpoint clarence darrow earlier noted inquiry satisfied legislators place significant number voters within without district predominantly race regardless ultimate objective taking step see supra example legislators use race predominant districting criterion end goal advancing partisan interests perhaps thinking proposed district sellable vra compliance measure political gerrymander accomplish much thing action still triggers strict scrutiny see vera plurality opinion words sorting voters grounds race remains suspect even race meant function proxy including political characteristics see miller undeterred settled principles dissent undertakes refind facts case every turn see post indeed dissent repeatedly flips appropriate standard review arguing example district plausible interpretation one piece contested evidence state offered entirely natural view another post see also post underlying approach district factfinding elemental error dissent mistakes rule legislature good faith presumed claimant makes showing sufficient support th allegation decisionmaking miller kind presumption appeal trumping review see post dissent contrary reading preclearance submission reporting redistricters decis ion construct district district post difficult fathom language dissent cites explains rucho lewis rejected one particular way creating district submission relates alternative course successful approach attaining bvap see app watt recalled laughed response vra required target see told rucho community laugh ibid watt explained rucho getting percent vote percent black district ramp bvap percent probably get percent vote voting rights act designed ibid acknowledged earlier trial involving district rucho denied making comments watt recalled see supp explained assess credibility rucho contrary account even though listed defense witness present courtroom throughout trial state chose put witness stand dissent conjures different way explaining watt testimony perhaps dissent suggests rucho disclosed target watt watt changed rucho mind perhaps coincidence mistake rucho still created district see post nothing record supports hypothesis see ibid relying exclusively state preclearance submission back story supra correcting dissent misreading submission state lacking dissent creativity think present trial dissent charges comparison misleading offers good reason see post quite true dissent notes another part district mecklenburg county experienced net increase black voters even larger one guilford county see post net increases two counties thus totaled partially offset net decreases counties district irrelevant point made without numerous black voters added district guilford county evidence clearly indicates voters chosen based race district fallen well shy status hofeller dispute ansolabehere figures questioned inference striking patterns mapmaker claimed nothing result reliance voting data presidential election information voted obama mccain tracked race better party registration see app cf cromartie ii recognizing party registration party preference always correspond recounted however district reasons disbelieve hofeller testimony used solely electoral data draw district lines see supra ansolabehere contended even hofeller choice data suggest intent sort voters race voting results single presidential election black candidate ansolabehere explained problematic unusual indicator future party preference racial dynamics peculiar app see data indeed much useful reflection area racial composition obama vote ansolabehere found extremely strong positive indicator location black registered voters conversely extremely strong negative indicator location white registered voters see dissent responds requirement hard plaintiffs least sophisticated litigants like present case meet post plaintiffs already proved preponderance evidence race predominated drawing district lines warrant demand jump additional evidentiary hoops whether exercise cost hundred dollars million week time year least followed usual rules underlying dissent view instead create special evidentiary burden belief litigation sort often seeks obtain political party achieve political arena post little lost making suits like one hard possible whatever possible motivations bringing suits dissent says questioning occurred ibid serve prevent legislatures taking unconstitutional districting action happens often dissent must suppose state lawmakers sometimes misunderstand vra requirements may occurred respect leading employ race predominant districting criterion see supra may resort districting ultimately political reasons leveraging strong correlation race voting behavior advance partisan interests see nn supra finally though hope less commonly may simply seek suppress electoral power minority voters plaintiffs meet burden showing conduct occurred basis subjecting additional unique evidentiary hurdles preventing receiving remedy entitled footnotes concur judgment regarding congressional district state concedes district intentionally created district see brief appellants appellants satisfied strict scrutiny article constitution reserves state legislatures power prescribe times places manner holding elections senators representatives subject congress authority make alter regulations except places chusing senators according polling data around voters voted democratic candidate president recent years see https internet materials last visited may https https https https challengers failure especially glaring given least two alternative maps introduced legislative debates map see record app though neither party contends maps met legislature political goals ignoring reasons supporting requirement majority mischaracterizes argument bottom resting proposition little lost making suits like one hard possible ante view richly ironic announced requirement accuse defend requirement erecting illegitimate unnecessary barriers vindication constitutional rights majority cites bush vera proof lack requirement made difference past cases ante vera decided cromartie ii announced requirement failure mention requirement hardly surprising majority accuses failing accord proper deference district factual findings disregarding standard review ante nonsense unlike majority simply follow cromartie ii evaluating district findings light plaintiffs burden see heavier plaintiffs evidentiary burden harder find plaintiffs carried burden likely clearly erroneous find context supposed presume north carolina legislature acted good faith exercise extraordinary caution rejecting legislature political explanation miller johnson given state offered coherent persuasive political explanation district boundaries plaintiffs bear demanding burden attempting prove racial predominance cromartie ii supra evidence put forward weak see part infra failed carry burden clear error district hold otherwise see cromartie ii supra applying analysis apply basic shape retained map proposed state legislature democratic leadership map submitted southern coalition social justice see record fifth district district appears touch district border guilford randolph counties de minimis extent district overpopulated people heading redistricting cycle app record north carolina state board elections official general election results statewide http north carolina state board elections official general election results statewide http noted hofeller used results presidential election measure party preference democratic candidate president barack obama first black major party presidential nominee true president obama higher percentage nationwide vote democratic presidential candidates see supra figures show correlation race political party preference high elections therefore use statistics appear substantially affected analysis even two alternative redistricting plans offered prior enactment map one submitted southern coalition social justice submitted democratic leaders state legislature retained basic shape district resulted black voters constituting registered democrats respectively record southern coalition social justice map congressional fair legal map see also app finding finding minimize jargon use term precincts refer vote tabulation districts vtds see explanation vtds district description legislature political strategy cursory spent time analyzing demographics region see harris mccrory supp mdnc majority concedes thoroughly case ante yet majority opinion thoroughly one sided offers excuse failure meaningfully describe much less engage state political explanation district boundaries instead tries change subject accusing treating state account essentially uncontested ante hollow accusation opinion lay evidence supporting state political explanation parts accept account face value instead go demonstrate plaintiffs contrary arguments exceedingly weak part considering evidence sides conclude state explanation holds said congressman watt testimony congressman watt testified senator rucho said someone else said see app state trial evidentiary ruling unknown reasons appellants failed raise objection means testimony admitted weight testimony different matter general hearsay viewed great skepticism ellicott pearl pet majority opinion story hearsay exceedingly infirm unsatisfactory intrinsically weak nature character queen hepburn cranch majority opinion marshall intrinsic weakness incompetency satisfy mind existence fact frauds might practiced cover combine support rule hearsay evidence totally inadmissible see also chambers mississippi significantly district doubted hofeller contention politics race dictated boundaries district hofeller unaware relevant racial demographics region see supp dispute political data displayed screen drew district state trial expressly found political data displayed hofeller screen see app finding district relied evidence well probative value weak even majority cite