alabama legislative black caucus et al alabama et argued november decided march alabama redrew boundaries state house districts senate districts alabama sought achieve numerous traditional districting objectives compactness splitting counties precincts minimizing change protecting incumbents placed yet greater importance two goals minimizing district deviation precisely equal population keeping deviation less theoretical ideal seeking avoid retrogression respect racial minorities ability elect preferred candidates choice voting rights act maintaining roughly black population percentage existing districts appellants alabama legislative black caucus caucus alabama democratic conference conference others claim alabama new district boundaries create racial gerrymander violation fourteenth amendment equal protection clause bench trial district ruled state recognized electoral districting violates equal protection clause race predominant consideration deciding place significant number voters within without particular district miller johnson use race narrowly tailored serve compelling state interest shaw hunt shaw ii ruling appellants made four critical determinations appellants argued acts whole constitute racial gerrymanders conference also argued state racially gerrymandered senate districts conference lacked standing make racial gerrymandering claims event appellants claims must fail race predominant motivating factor making redistricting decisions even wrong standing predominance claims must fail predominant use race narrowly tailored serve compelling state interest avoiding retrogression held district analysis racial gerrymandering claim referring state whole rather legally erroneous pp consistently described claim racial gerrymandering claim race improperly used drawing boundaries one specific electoral districts see shaw reno shaw described plaintiff evidentiary burden similarly see miller supra language makes sense light personal nature harms underlie racial gerrymandering claim see bush vera shaw supra pp district found fact racial criteria predominated drawing alabama districts sufficient defeat claim racial gerrymandering respect state undifferentiated whole showing criteria significantly affect drawing alabama districts done little defeat claim criteria predominantly affected drawing alabama districts thus district undifferentiated statewide analysis insufficient district must remand consider racial gerrymandering respect individual districts challenged appellants pp caucus conference waive right consideration analysis record indicates plaintiffs evidence arguments embody claim individual districts racially gerrymandered districts district must reconsider although plaintiffs relied heavily upon statewide evidence prove race predominated drawing individual district lines neither use statewide evidence effort show widespread effect transform racial gerrymandering claim set individual districts separate general claim legislature racially gerrymandered state undifferentiated whole pp district also erred deciding sua sponte conference lacked standing believed record clearly identify districts individual members conference reside conference brief testimony conference representative support inference organization members districts sufficient meet conference burden establishing standing least conference reasonably believed absence state challenge request detailed information need provide additional information specific membership list district independent obligation confirm jurisdiction circumstances elementary principles procedural fairness required district rather acting sua sponte give conference opportunity provide evidence member residence remand district permit conference file membership list state respond appropriate pp district also properly calculate predominance alternative holding ace predominant motivating factor creation challenged districts reached conclusion part placed balance among nonracial factors legislative efforts create districts approximately equal population equal population goal however one traditional factors weighed use race determine whether race predominates see miller supra rather part redistricting background taken given determining whether race factors predominate legislator determination equal population objectives met district taken contrary view law predominance conclusions including concerning four districts conference specifically challenged might well different example strong perhaps overwhelming evidence race predominate factor legislature drew boundaries senate district pp district final alternative holding challenged districts satisfy strict scrutiny rests upon misperception law section require covered jurisdiction maintain particular numerical minority percentage requires jurisdiction maintain minority ability elect preferred candidate choice pp statute language department justice guidelines make clear satisfied minority voters retain ability elect preferred candidates history supports view congress adopted language reject decision georgia ashcroft accept views justice souter dissent retrogression case courts ask whether new voting provision likely deprive minority voters ability elect candidate choice courts mechanically rely upon numerical percentages take account significant circumstances district legislature relied heavily upon mechanically numerical view counts forbidden retrogression pp saying insist state legislature redistricting determine precisely percent minority population demands analysis narrow tailoring requirement insists legislature strong basis evidence support choice made brief amicus curiae however district legislature asked wrong question respect narrow tailoring asked maintain present minority percentages districts instead asking extent must preserve existing minority percentages order maintain minority present ability elect candidate choice asking wrong question may well led wrong answer accept district conclusion pp supp vacated remanded breyer delivered opinion kennedy ginsburg sotomayor kagan joined scalia filed dissenting opinion roberts thomas alito joined thomas filed dissenting opinion 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 nos et al et al et al et al appeals district middle district alabama march justice breyer delivered opinion alabama legislative black caucus alabama democratic conference appeal federal district decision rejecting challenges lawfulness alabama redistricting state house representatives state senate appeals focus upon appellants claims new district boundaries create racial gerrymanders violation fourteenth amendment equal protection clause see shaw hunt shaw ii fourteenth amendment forbids use race district unless boundaries narrowly tailored achieve state citations omitted find district applied incorrect legal standards evaluating claims consequently vacate decision remand cases proceedings alabama constitution requires legislature reapportion state house senate electoral districts following decennial census ala art ix alabama redrew boundaries state house districts senate districts acts house plan senate plan acts alabama sought achieve numerous traditional districting objectives compactness splitting counties precincts minimizing change protecting incumbents placed yet greater importance achieving two goals see alabama legislature reapportionment committee guidelines doc pp committee guidelines first sought minimize extent district might deviate theoretical ideal precisely equal population particular set goal creating set districts district deviate theoretical precisely equal ideal rigorous deviation standard precedents found necessary constitution see brown thomson deviation ideal generally permissible one doubts desirability state efforts generally come close ideal second sought ensure compliance federal law particular voting rights act stat amended et seq time redistricting alabama covered jurisdiction act accordingly act required alabama demonstrate electoral change redistricting bring retrogression respect racial minorities ability elect preferred candidates choice specifically alabama believed avoid retrogression required maintain roughly black population percentage existing districts see appendix infra compliance two goals posed particular difficulties respect many state districts senate house many districts compared average district underpopulated order senate district example meet state objective state add individuals district prior redistricting district population black accordingly alabama plan added new individuals newly added individuals white suit appears us focuses large part upon alabama efforts achieve two goals caucus conference basically claim state adding many new minority voters districts others went far allege state created constitutionally forbidden racial gerrymander gerrymander state adds minority voters needed minority group elect candidate choice might among things harm minority voters acts voting rights act sought help bench trial federal district held favor state caucus conference respect racial gerrymandering claims well respect several legal claims caucus conference made respect racial gerrymandering district recognized electoral districting violates equal protection clause race dominant controlling predominant consideration deciding place significant number voters within without particular district miller johnson use race narrowly tailored serve compelling state interest shaw ii see also shaw reno shaw constitution forbids separat ion voters different districts basis race separation lacks sufficient justification bush vera principal opinion trial district held caucus conference failed prove racial gerrymandering claims caucus along conference several plaintiffs appealed noted probable jurisdiction respect racial gerrymandering claims shall focus upon four critical district determinations underlying ultimate violation conclusion concern geographical nature racial gerrymandering claims district characterized appellants claims falling two categories district view appellants argued acts whole constitute racial gerrymanders supp md emphasis added one appellants conference also argued state racially gerrymandered four specific electoral districts senate districts standing district held caucus standing argue racial gerrymandering claim respect state whole conference lacked standing make racial gerrymandering claims claim requiring consideration state whole claims requiring consideration four individual senate districts racial predominance district held event appellants claims must fail race predominant motivating factor either acts whole respect senate districts narrow state interest district also held even wrong standing predominance appellants racial gerrymandering claims must fail predominant use race drawing electoral boundaries narrowly tailored serve compelling state interest namely interest avoiding retrogression respect racial minorities ability elect preferred candidates choice view determinations reflects error relevant law error likely affected district conclusions point must vacate lower judgment remand cases allow appellants reargue racial gerrymandering claims light opinion parties remain free introduce evidence district shall reasonably find appropriate ii begin considering geographical nature racial gerrymandering claims district repeatedly referred racial gerrymandering claims claims race improperly motivated drawing boundary lines state considered whole see supp race predominant motivating factor acts whole construing plaintiffs challenge arguing acts whole constitute racial gerrymanders describing plaintiffs challenge claim racial gerrymandering acts whole cf supra noting four exceptions racial gerrymandering claim however applies boundaries individual districts applies apply state considered undifferentiated whole consistently described claim racial gerrymandering claim race improperly used drawing boundaries one specific electoral districts see shaw violation consists separat ing voters different districts basis race emphasis added vera principal opinion courts must scrutinize challenged district emphasis added described plaintiff evidentiary burden similarly see miller supra plaintiff must show race predominant factor motivating legislature decision place significant number voters within without particular district emphasis added language makes sense light nature harms underlie racial gerrymandering claim harms personal include personally subjected racial classification vera supra principal opinion well represented legislator believes primary obligation represent members particular racial group shaw supra directly threaten voter lives district attacked keenly threaten voter lives elsewhere state indeed latter voter normally lacks standing pursue racial gerrymandering claim hays voters course present statewide evidence order prove racial gerrymandering particular district see miller supra voters might make claim every individual district state suffers racial gerrymandering latter claim claim district using phrase whole considered rather concept used suggests existence legal unicorn animal exists legal imagination technical linguistic point criticize might seem effect slip pen rather district terminology mattered district found racial criteria predominated drawing alabama districts found fact fact race predominate drawing many districts sufficient defeat saw basic claim namely claim racial gerrymandering respect state undifferentiated whole see supp rejecting plaintiffs challenge legislature followed rule respect every district citing examples districts black population percentages reduced examples districts precincts split showing criteria significantly affect drawing alabama districts however done little defeat claim criteria predominantly affected drawing alabama districts alabama districts primarily issue see thompson dissenting drafters fail ure achieve percentage one district detract one iota fact achieve another thus district undifferentiated statewide analysis insufficient must remand consideration racial gerrymandering respect individual districts subject appellants racial gerrymandering challenges state principal dissent argue four specifically mentioned districts effect districts caucus conference state principal dissent say seek analysis state principal dissent conclude caucus conference consequently waived right consideration brief appellees post opinion scalia agree concede district opinion suggests caucus conference led consider racial gerrymandering state whole supp least district interpreted filings allege kind claim ibid review record indicates plaintiffs claim legislature racially gerrymandered state undifferentiated whole rather evidence arguments embody claim individual districts racially gerrymandered districts believe district must reconsider districts house senate district opinion refers evidence legislature redistricting committee order satisfy believed voting rights act required deliberately chose additional black voters move underpopulated districts specific set individual districts see supp referring senator dial testimony committee used use white population within jefferson county repopulate districts resulted retrogression districts potentially created problem justice department preclearance stating representative jim mcclendon also committee cochair testified consistently senator dial noting committee expert randolph hinaman testified needed add population districts without significantly lowering percentage population district caucus conference presented much evidence trial show legislature deliberately moved black voters districts specific set districts order prevent percentage minority voters district declining see committee guidelines tr testimony senator dial deposition gerald dial may doc pp dial deposition tr testimony representative mcclendon testimony hinaman deposition randolph hinaman june doc pp hinaman deposition proposed findings fact conclusions law plaintiffs stated evidence showed racial gerrymander respect majority districts referred specific splitting precinct county lines drawing many districts pointed much evidence alabama legislative black caucus plaintiffs notice filing proposed findings fact conclusions law doc pp caucus brief newton plaintiffs notice filing proposed findings fact conclusions law doc pp conference brief see also appendix infra organizing citations district recognize plaintiffs relied heavily upon statewide evidence prove race predominated drawing individual district lines see generally caucus brief conference brief also sought prove use race draw boundaries districts affected boundaries districts well see tr testimony dial tr testimony hinaman see generally caucus brief evidence perfectly relevant said plaintiff burden racial gerrymandering case show either circumstantial evidence district shape demographics direct evidence going legislative purpose race predominant factor motivating legislature decision place significant number voters within without particular district miller cf easley cromartie explaining plaintiff burden cases unlike state argues politics race predominant motive alabama expressly adopted applied policy prioritizing mechanical racial targets districting criteria save provides evidence race motivated drawing particular lines multiple districts state neither use statewide evidence effort show widespread effect transform racial gerrymandering claim set individual districts separate general claim legislature racially gerrymandered state undifferentiated whole like principal dissent recognize plaintiffs presented claims clearly post opinion scalia dissent properly concedes objection weaken conference developed claim course discovery trial post happened past pages appendix set forth many record references establish fact caucus helps explain complaint omissions tells us plaintiffs unearthed factual basis racial gerrymandering claims deposed committee redistricting expert see brief appellants pp state neither disputes procedural history objects plaintiffs pleadings failed conform proof indeed throughout plaintiffs litigated claims wholly separate entities team see caucus brief support additional claims made conference plaintiffs cf post scalia dissenting treating separately conference claims caucus claims thus like dissenting judge also lived cases trial conclude record whole shows plaintiffs brought argument rested significantly upon claims see supp thompson dissenting construing plaintiffs also challenging house senate district principal dissent adds conference waived claims appeal cf post asked specifically position oral argument conference stated relying statewide evidence prove challenges tr oral arg counsel said exact policy applied every district statewide simply mean common policy applied every district state accept conference clarification consistent presented claims consequently conclude district analysis racial gerrymandering state whole legally erroneous find appellants waive right consideration claims applied particular districts accordingly remand cases see swint remand required district failed make finding erroneous view law rapanos iii next consider district holding respect standing district sua sponte held conference lacked standing either bring racial gerrymandering claims respect four individual districts specifically considered senate districts bring racial gerrymandering claim respect state whole supp district recognized ordinarily association standing bring suit behalf members members standing sue right interests stake germane organization purpose neither claim asserted relief requested requires individuals members participation lawsuit quoting friends earth laidlaw environmental services toc emphasis added also recognized member association standing sue right member resides district alleges product racial gerrymander supp citing hays district nonetheless denied standing believed record clearly identify districts individual members conference reside conference proved members standing pursue claims racial gerrymandering supp district conceded joe reed representative conference testified conference members almost every county alabama ibid district went say counties alabama split many districts ibid conference offered testimony evidence members districts alabama four specific districts challenged ibid record however lacks adequate support district conclusion reed testimony supports nothing record undermines conference statement brief statewide political caucus founded conference brief purpose endors ing candidates political office responsible needs blacks minorities poor people two statements second principal dissent ignores taken together reed testimony support inference organization members state districts things equal sufficient meet conference burden establishing standing say seems highly likely statewide organization members almost every county purpose help blacks minorities poor people members district cf post scalia dissenting least common sense inference strong enough lead conference reasonably believe absence state challenge request detailed information need provide additional information specific membership list found nothing record state referred us anything record suggests contrary cf app state arguing lack standing inadequate member residency association lives nowhere conference join individual members state argued one individual laintiffs brought case conference claims live senate district emphasis added conference likely understood argument request provide membership list fact conference might understood argument indication state contest membership every district sure district independent obligation confirm jurisdiction even absence state challenge see post scalia dissenting circumstances elementary principles procedural fairness required district rather acting sua sponte give conference opportunity provide evidence member residence cf warth seldin explaining may allow equire plaintiff supplement record show standing nity plaintiff standing adequately appear materials record complaint must dismissed emphasis added moreover reason believe conference unable provide list members least respect districts asked filed list see affidavit joe reed pursuant rule lodging conference affidavit listing members residing district state see also parents involved community schools seattle school dist accepting lodged affidavit similar circumstances thus district remand reconsider conference standing permitting conference file list members permitting state respond appropriate iv district held alternative claims racial gerrymandering must fail ace predominant motivating factor creation challenged districts supp view however district properly calculate predominance particular judged race lack predominance part placed balance among nonracial factors legislative efforts create districts approximately equal population see need bring neighboring districts compliance requirement one person one vote served primary motivating factor changes senate district emphasis added constitutional requirement one person one vote trumped every districting principle record establishes drafters new districts correct severe malapportionment inclusion additional precincts senate district reasonable response underpopulation district view however equal population goal one factor among others weighed use race determine whether race predominates rather part redistricting background taken given determining whether race factors predominate legislator determination equal population objectives met understand conclusion recall predominance plaintiff pursuing racial gerrymandering claim must show race predominant factor motivating legislature decision place significant number voters within without particular district miller plaintiff must prove legislature subordinated traditional districting principles racial considerations ibid emphasis added consider nature offsetting traditional districting principles listed several including compactness contiguity respect political subdivisions communities defined actual shared interests incumbency protection political affiliation vera principal opinion listed equal population objectives reason omission reason equal population objectives appear list traditional criteria equal population objectives play different role state redistricting process role minor one indeed light constitution demands role may often prove predominant ordinary sense word points predominance context racial gerrymandering claim special whether legislature believes need equal population takes ultimate priority rather said whether legislature placed race traditional districting considerations determining persons placed appropriately apportioned districts brief amicus curiae emphasis added words legislature must place additional voters particular district order achieve equal population goal predominance question concerns voters legislature decides choose specifically whether legislature predominately uses race opposed traditional factors consequently agree requirement districts approximately equal populations background rule redistricting takes place factor treated like nonracial factors determines whether race predominated traditional factors drawing district boundaries district taken contrary view law predominance conclusions including concerning four districts conference specifically challenged might well different example legislature equal population objectives put side seen background principle strong perhaps overwhelming evidence race predominate factor legislature drew boundaries senate district one district parties discussed depth legislators charge creating redistricting plan believed told technical adviser primary redistricting goal maintain existing racial percentages district insofar feasible see supra compiling extensive record testimony support point considerable evidence goal direct significant impact drawing least district boundaries see tr testimony hinaman appendix infra change district shape rectangular irregular individuals new redistricting laws added population district white remarkable feat given local demographics see tr testimony senator quinton ross tr testimony hinaman transgressing redistricting guidelines committee guidelines drafters split seven precincts district district population precincts clearly divided racial lines see exh support newton plaintiffs opposition summary judgment doc pp district conceded race factor drawing district legislature preserved percentage population black supp recognize district also found respect district preservi ng core existing istrict following county lines following highway lines played important role ibid first core preservation directly relevant origin new district inhabitants second county lines seems marginal importance since virtually senate district boundaries departed county lines third highways mentioned legislative redistricting guidelines cf committee guidelines say respect district likely others well district treated equal population goals background factors might concluded race predominant consideration thus remand district reconsider predominance conclusions respect senate district others analysis applicable finally note discussion section limited correcting district misapplication predominance test strict scrutiny discussed miller express view question whether intentional use race redistricting even absence proof traditional districting principles subordinated race triggers strict scrutiny see vera kennedy concurring district yet alternative holding found ven state subordinated traditional districting principles racial considerations racial gerrymandering claims failed event districts satisfy strict scrutiny supp district view acts narrowly tailored comply section voting rights act provision required legislature maintain feasible existing number districts substantially reduce relative percentages black voters districts ibid emphasis added insofar state redistricting embodied racial considerations order meet requirement view however alternative holding rests upon misperception law section covered particular certain jurisdictions require covered jurisdiction maintain particular numerical minority percentage requires jurisdiction maintain minority ability elect preferred candidate choice precisely language statute says prohibits covered jurisdiction adopting change purpose effect diminishing ability minority group elect preferred candidates choice see also purpose subsection protect ability citizens elect preferred candidates choice also department justice guidelines say guidelines state specifically department preclearance determinations based predetermined fixed demographic percentages rather department view determination requires functional analysis electoral behavior within particular jurisdiction election district ensus data alone may provide sufficient indicia electoral behavior make requisite determination guidance concerning redistricting section voting rights act fed reg consistent view tells us section requir state maintain percentage black voters districts existed prior districting plans brief amicus curiae rather prohibits diminutions minority group proportionate strength strip group within district existing ability elect candidates choice agree section require maintaining population percentages districts prior plan rather satisfied minority voters retain ability elect preferred candidates history supports view adopting statutory language referred congress rejected decision georgia ashcroft holding necessarily retrogressive state replace safe districts crossover influence districts adopted views dissent pp thrust justice souter dissent retrogression case courts ask whether new voting provision likely deprive minority voters ability elect candidate choice language congress adopted revising dissent also made clear courts mechanically rely upon numerical percentages take account significant circumstances georgia ashcroft supra revised language may raise interpretive questions application coalition crossover influence districts clear congress mandate reduction black population district necessarily retrogressive see persily promises pitfalls new voting rights act yale indeed alabama mechanical interpretation raise serious constitutional concerns see miller supra record makes clear district legislature relied heavily upon mechanically numerical view counts forbidden retrogression see appendix infra difference view view reflected statute language matter imagine district black population assume also voting district like state racially polarized assume district long elected office black voters preferred candidate things equal seem highly unlikely redistricting plan increasing numerical size district reduced percentage black population say significant impact black voters ability elect preferred candidate reason difficult explain plan uses racial criteria predominately maintain black population narrowly tailored achieve compelling state interest namely interest preventing retrogression circumstances hypothetical example add close characterizing senate district set forth district opinion throughout record see tr testimony dial tr testimony hinaman saying insist legislature guess precisely percentage reduction justice department might eventually find retrogressive law insist state legislature redistricting determine precisely percent minority population demands standards complex often require evaluation controverted claims voting behavior evidence may unclear respect particular district judges may disagree proper outcome law lay trap unwary legislature condemning redistricting plan either unconstitutional racial gerrymandering legislature place many minority voters district retrogressive legislature place see vera principal opinion thus agree analysis narrow tailoring requirement insists legislature strong basis evidence support choice made brief amicus curiae citing ricci destefano standard points demand state actions actually necessary achieve compelling state interest order constitutionally valid brief amicus curiae legislators may strong basis evidence use racial classifications order comply statute good reasons believe use required even find actions necessary statutory compliance ibid emphasis added district enunciated narrow tailoring standard close one mentioned said plan narrowly tailored action taken reasonably necessary achieve compelling interest supp emphasis added held preventing retrogression compelling interest decide whether given shelby county holder continued compliance remains compelling interest conclude district legislature asked wrong question respect narrow tailoring asked maintain present minority percentages districts given language purpose justice department guidelines relevant precedent asked extent must preserve existing minority percentages order maintain minority present ability elect candidate choice asking wrong question may well led wrong answer hence accept district compelling tailoring conclusion reasons judgment district vacated note appellants also raised additional questions jurisdictional statements relating claims caucus vote dilution claims conference also rejected district pass upon claims district remains free reconsider claims find reconsideration appropriate parties free raise including modified district appeal cases remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered appendixes district instances plaintiffs briefs arguing traditional districting principles subordinated race house hd caucus brief conference brief hd caucus brief conference brief hd conference brief hd conference brief hd conference brief hd conference brief hd caucus brief conference brief hd conference brief sd conference brief sd caucus brief conference brief sd caucus brief senate district excluded list state use incorrect retrogression standard following citations reflect instances either district opinion record showing state believed forbids substantial reductions reduction percentage black inhabitants district district findings supp evidence record senator gerald dial tr dial deposition representative jim mcclendon tr randolph hinaman tr hinaman deposition see scalia dissenting nos et al et al et al et al appeals district middle district alabama march justice scalia chief justice justice thomas justice alito join dissenting today issues sweeping holding profound implications constitutional ideal one person one vote future voting rights act primacy state managing elections destination seems fantastical wait see journey two groups plaintiffs alabama democratic conference alabama legislative black caucus brought separate challenges way alabama drew state legislative districts following census cases consolidated district even full trial district lamented filings arguments made plaintiffs claims mystifying best supp md nevertheless district understood groups plaintiffs argue relevant acts whole constitute racial gerrymanders also understood democratic conference argue senate districts constitute racial gerrymanders held democratic conference lacked standing bring claims racial gerrymandering emphasis added found alabama merits rightly concludes racial gerrymandering jurisprudence allow statewide claims ante however rather holding appellants misguided legal theory presented district allows take mulligan remanding case orders district consider whether alabama districts result impermissible racial gerrymandering disregards detailed findings thoroughly reasoned conclusions district particular determination reached watching development case complaint trial appellant proved even pleaded claims respect districts worse still ignores democratic conference express waiver claims basis stray comments filings rorschach brief brandeis brief vague outline claims begins take shape careful nudging appellate counsel racial gerrymandering strikes heart democratic process undermining electorate confidence government representative cohesive body politic citizens equal law therefore understandable excusable balks denying merits review simply appellants pursued flawed litigation strategy allowing appellants second bite apple invites lower courts similarly depart premise adversarial system whenever deem stakes sufficiently high believe article iii empowers act standby counsel sympathetic litigants dissent alabama democratic conference district concluded democratic conference lacked standing bring claims basis conference failure present evidence members voted challenged districts individual conference plaintiffs claim vote supp voter standing bring claim votes gerrymandered district specific evidence demonstrates suffered special harms attend racial gerrymandering hays however democratic conference claimed chapters members almost counties state newton plaintiffs proposed findings fact conclusions law doc pp democratic conference brief emphasis added yet concludes fact combined conference political endorses candidates political office supports inference organization members state districts things equal ante provides support theory jurisdiction illogical inference perhaps rejected attempts peddle standing see summers earth island institute rejecting test organizational standing asks whether accepting organization activities members statistical probability members threatened concrete injury inference drawn conference statements cuts precisely opposite direction issue counties voting districts within counties conference members almost every county must counties members basis concluding inferring counties contain voting districts morever even counties conference members basis concluding inferring members vote districts conference plenty opportunities including trial demonstrate case failed failure lies democratic conference consequences borne people alabama must shoulder expense litigation uncertainty attends resuscitated constitutional challenge legislative districts incredibly thinks elementary principles procedural fairness require giving democratic conference opportunity prove appeal neglected prove trial ante observes conference reason believe provide information state contest membership every district opinion cites affidavit lodged providing list conference members district alabama ibid imagine absence state challenge matter whether challenge conference responsibility party invoking federal jurisdiction establish standing see lujan defenders wildlife responsibility enforceable challenge federal courts independent obligation examine jurisdiction standing perhaps important jurisdictional doctrines dallas citations omitted standing mere pleading requiremen rather indispensable part plaintiff case element must supported way matter plaintiff bears burden proof manner degree evidence required successive stages litigation defenders wildlife supra points parents involved community schools seattle school dist support decision sandbag alabama democratic conference indeed lodging circumstances case however far afield organization parents case established organizational standing lower showing members children subject school district integration tiebreaker applied ninth grade brief respondents time case reached however youngest children entered high school longer subject challenged policy ibid accordingly accepted lodging provided names additional younger children order show organization lost standing result long delay often accompanies federal litigation contrast democratic conference lodging first attempt show members districts little late start even democratic conference standing bring claims remains question whether bring complaint alleged three counts violation voting rights act racial gerrymandering violation equal protection clause violations voting rights act fourteenth fifteenth amendments complaint doc pp racial gerrymandering count alleged alabama acts drawn purpose effect minimizing opportunity minority voters participate effectively political process racial gerrymandering alabama acts violates rights plaintiffs made reference specific districts racially gerrymandered indeed particular jurisdictions mentioned anywhere complaint senate district senate district madison county senate districts house district jefferson montgomery county house districts none senate districts house district jefferson county admittedly contain house districts alabama montgomery county contains another making total also contain house districts light difficult understand statement appellants evidence arguments embody claim individual districts racially gerrymandered ante observation course make sense democratic conference developed claim course discovery trial proposed findings fact conclusions law conference hewed original charge statewide racial gerrymandering rather much reasonably without actually proposing find racial gerrymandering statewide otherwise instead conference chose pursue claims alabama violated voting rights act two theories see democratic conference brief alleging violation results prong voting rights act alleging violation purpose prong voting rights act sure conference employed language presented factual claims various points brief evocative claim racial gerrymandering clinging stray comments support conclusion conference made claims ante ignores context comments appear context clear voting rights act claim voting rights act claims claims share elements see league latin american citizens perry scalia concurring judgment part dissenting part thus allegations made course arguing claim often indistinguishable allegations made support claim appearance allegations one conference briefs might support reversal case came us appeal district grant motion dismiss see johnson city shelby per curiam slip noting federal rules civil procedure countenance dismissal complaint imperfect statement legal theory supporting claim asserted district held full trial concluding conference failed make prove claims respect districts posture record agree conference evidence clearly made course arguing theory read give rise claims racial gerrymandering respect alabama districts attempts shift responsibility democratic conference statewide theory conference district implying legally erroneous analysis district ante rather arguments made conference conjured legal unicorn ante conference forfeit claims attributes ante suspect come great surprise conference whatever may presented district conference unequivocally stated opening brief appellants challenge alabama statewide redistricting policy design one particular election district brief appellants emphasis added drove point home reply brief apply analysis analysis applied state policy design particular district reply brief anything clearer observes conference attempted walk back unqualified description case oral argument ante assertion really meant challenge policy applied every district every district mind clarification ante entirely new argument indeed argument expressly disclaimed briefing revive forfeited argument simply petitioner gestures toward reply brief republic argentina nml capital slip certainly issue first presented oral argument ii alabama legislative black caucus bother disentangle independent claims brought black caucus democratic conference strongly implies parties asserted claims respect alabama districts described democratic conference brought claims black caucus filings provide even weaker support conclusion black caucus complaint contained three counts violation one person one vote see reynolds sims dilution isolation black voting strength violation voting rights act partisan gerrymandering complaint doc pp failure raise claim mere oversight consequence inartful pleading indeed amended complaint black caucus specifically cited leading case proposition traditional neutral districting principles may subordinated dominant fashion either racial partisan interests absent compelling state interest amended complaint doc citing shaw reno emphasis added quote appears first paragraph partisan gerrymandering heading claims subordination racial interests notably absent black caucus complaint racial gerrymandering completely ignored however brief introductory paragraph amended complaint addressing jurisdiction venue black caucus alleged acts racial gerrymanders unnecessarily minimize population deviations violate provisions alabama constitution purpose effect minimizing black voting strength isolating influence alabama legislature legislators chosen african americans amended complaint first last mention racial gerrymandering like democratic conference complaint focused exclusively districting maps whole rather individual districts moreover even allegation appears primarily concerned use racially motivated districting means violating one person one vote splitting counties voting rights act minimizing isolating black voters legislators extent black caucus cited particular districts body complaint respect enumerated voting rights act counts see alleging deviation restriction disregard county requirements facilitated republican majority efforts gerrymander district boundaries acts partisan purposes packing house senate districts plans remove reliable democratic voters adjacent districts partisan purpose one gerrymander remove predominately black madison county precincts sd avoiding potential crossover district asserting splitting jefferson county among house senate districts increasing size local legislative delegation number counties whose residents elect members delegation dilut es votes jefferson county residents diminishing ability control legislation state legislature even claims made statewide scope mind viewed entirety plans acts purpose effect minimizing opportunities black white voters support democratic party elect candidates choice discovery trial failed produce clear claims respect districts curious inversion democratic conference practice pleading racial gerrymandering effectively abandoning claims black caucus failed plead racial gerrymandering clearly advance theory trial see alabama legislative black caucus plaintiffs proposed findings fact conclusions law doc pp black caucus brief black caucus asserted claims brief clear statewide scope charged alabama started line drawing districts maximize size black majorities impacted drawing districts nearly every part state ace predominant factor drafting plans drove nearly every districting decision dilut ing influence black voters districts black caucus present evidence course developing legal theories although included evidence alabama manipulated racial composition certain districts also included evidence alabama manipulated racial distributions respect districting maps whole maintaining high black percentages predominant impact entire plan respect districts asked sd drawn splits clair talladega shelby counties sen dial blamed also need preserve black majorities jefferson county senate districts sen irons quick sic analysis new sd convinced designed minority population sanford sd sd order crack minority influence district black caucus attacking legislative districts every angle nothing gives rise inference ever homed districts matter particular set districts indeed fair reading black caucus filings presenting illustrative evidence particular districts effort make claim statewide racial gerrymandering fact concludes valid legal theory justify repackaging claims second round litigation iii conclusion frankly know make appellants arguments pleaded opacity squinting hard enough one find contain anything believes justifies demanding district go back squint harder may divine new means construing filings disposition based seems implicit premise plaintiffs plead legally correct theories silly premise reward practice litigation obfuscation especially dealing legal claim numerous plaintiffs successfully brought past see amended complaint motion preliminary permanent injunction cromartie hunt ednc doc march redistricting plan twelfth district first district boundaries drawn pursuant predominantly racial motivation fruit earlier racially gerrymandered plans even complaint shaw established cause action racial gerrymandering displayed greater lucidity appellants alleging defendants creat ed two amorphous districts embody scheme segregation voters race order meet racial quota totally unrelated considerations compactness contiguous geographic jurisdictional communities interest complaint motion preliminary permanent injunction temporary restraining order shaw barr ednc doc pp seems acknowledge appellants never focused claims alabama districts remanding consider whether districts racially gerrymandered admits plaintiffs basically claim state adding many new minority voters districts others went far ante emphasis added concedes appellants relied heavily upon statewide evidence also sought prove use race draw boundaries districts affected boundaries districts well ante reason see selection districts relevant set districts district consider remand set chosen appellants losing claim actually presented district playing along appellants style litigation willingly turning back page every time strategic decision leads discourages careful litigation punishes defendants denied notice repose consequences unprincipled decision reverberate far beyond narrow circumstances presented case accordingly dissent thomas dissenting nos et al et al et al et al appeals district middle district alabama march justice thomas dissenting ew devices better designed exacerbate racial tensions consciously segregated districting system currently constructed name voting rights act holder hall thomas concurring judgment consolidated cases yet another installment disastrous misadventure voting rights jurisprudence somehow arrived place parties agree alabama legislative districts achieve optimal result respect black voting power percentage blacks placed optimized districts nothing fight best racial quota join justice scalia dissent write point case painfully illustrates jurisprudence area continues infected error alabama legislature faced difficult situation redistricting efforts began racially segregated district maps inherited previous decades maps produced redistricting contained house districts senate districts time drawn app juris statement time census app many districts black drawn even black app juris statement even census population remained black majority districts app amendments voting rights act alabama also federal command avoid drawing new districts effect diminishing ability black voters elect preferred candidates choice comply legislature adopted policy maintaining percentage black voters within districts existed plans see ante districting committee thought preserve ability black voters elect number preferred candidates app juris statement department justice doj apparently agreed acting authority administer voting rights act doj precleared alabama appellants including alabama legislative black caucus alabama democratic conference saw matters differently sued alabama appeal argue state redistricting plans racially gerrymandered many districts highly packed black voters according appellants black voters voting power spread districts rather concentrated number districts previous decades doj entered fray support appellants arguing state redistricting maps fail strict scrutiny state focused heavily single racial characteristic number black voters districts potentially resulted impermissible packing black voters like doj today majority sides appellants faulting alabama choosing wrong percentage blacks state districts least arriving percentage using wrong reasoning along appellants doj exacerbates problem many years making seems fitting trace history practice creating highly packed safe districts product erroneous jurisprudence created system forces segregate voters districts based color skin alabama current legislative districts genesis policy doj applied throughout early amendments effectively locked place alabama districts established three problems jurisprudence requiring segregated districts distortion created doj policy ossifying effects amendments primary culprits case alabama redistricting policy clean hands ii created current system redistricting adopting expansive readings voting rights act prohibit implementing voting laws den abridg right vote account race color provisions extend certain types voting laws voting qualification prerequisite voting standard practice procedure ibid previously explained terms practice procedure refer practices affect citizens access ballot literacy tests holder opinion concurring judgment apply istricting systems electoral mechanisms may affect given ballot duly cast counted ibid yet adopted interpretations provisions holding encompass legislative redistricting actions might dilute strength minority votes see generally thornburg gingles vote dilution challenge legislative districting plan see also allen state bd elections harlan concurring part dissenting part interpretation resulted challenge challenge drawing voting districts see bartlett strickland league latin american citizens perry georgia ashcroft reno bossier parish school bossier ii hunt cromartie reno bossier parish school bossier bush vera shaw hunt shaw ii miller johnson hays holder supra johnson de grandy growe emison shaw reno shaw voinovich quilter consequences predictable unfortunate pursuing undiluted maximized minority voting power devised remedial mechanism encourages federal courts segregate voters racially designated districts ensure minority electoral success holder supra thomas concurring judgment section provision issue applied require redistrict maintain number districts minority voters make large enough portion population able elect candidate choice see miller supra rejecting doj policy requiring increase number districts maintaining number districts violate order maintain racially burroughs courts must perpetually divid country electoral districts along racial lines enterprise segregating races political homelands holder supra opinion thomas internal quotation marks omitted assumptions underlying practice creating maintaining safe minority districts members racial group must think alike interests distinct must provided separate body representatives remain repugnant nation strives ideal constitution predicted compliance efforts embroil ed courts lengthy process attempting undo least minimize damage wrought system created fateful system produced cases iii tandem flawed jurisprudence doj played significant role creating alabama current redistricting problem enforcing manner required including alabama create voting districts face denial details policy highlighted federal georgia congressional redistricting see johnson miller supp sd behalf black caucus georgia general assembly american civil liberties union aclu submitted redistricting proposal georgia legislature became known plan aclu map created two new black districts maximized black voting strength pushing percentage black voters within districts high possible internal quotation marks omitted doj denied several georgia proposals ground include enough districts plan finally approved substantially similar aclu proposal creating three districts total black populations georgia state subject doj maximization policy north carolina example submitted congressional redistricting plan census doj rejected create new district thus appear ed minimize minority voting strength shaw barr supp ednc quoting letter john dunne assistant attorney general civil rights tiare smiley special deputy attorney general doj likewise pressured louisiana create new district state sought approval congressional redistricting plan following census see hays louisiana supp wd la grounds louisiana hays although eventually rejected doj policy see miller supra much damage congressional legislative district maps already done enacted districting plans accordance doj policy prohibition retrogression meant legislatures effectively required maintain plans subsequent redistricting happened alabama alabama redistricting plans modeled plans state put place doj policy see generally kelley bennett supp md vacated grounds sinkfield kelley per curiam following census alabama legislature began redrawing state legislative districts several proposals failed legislature group plaintiffs sued state entered consent decree agreeing use plan supp primary designer plan joe reed current chairman appellant alabama democratic conference according reed previous plan fair achieve number representatives proportionate percentage blacks population doj policy widely assumed state according doj draw district lines primary intent maximizing election black officials reed thus set maximize number black representatives senators elected legislature maximizing number districts illustrating strategy alabama letter doj seeking preclearance plan emphasize plan deliberate creation enough districts assure nearly proportional representation legislature boasted plan created four new districts two additional senate districts ibid reed populated districts percentage black residents achieved optimal middle ground happy medium many house districts black reed plan senate district one districts issue today pushed black district struck several districts created plan unconstitutionally based race reversed however holding plaintiffs lacked standing live gerrymandered districts sinkfield supra plan thus went effect provided template state next redistricting efforts see montiel davis supp sd maps maintained number districts plan created house districts senate districts ibid maintain relative percentages black voters districts legislature redrew districts shifting black voters districts app juris statement state letters requesting preclearance plans boasted maps maintained number districts higher percentages black voters within districts slight reductions necessary satisfy legitimate nondiscriminatory redistricting considerations letter william pryor alabama attorney general voting section chief civil rights division department justice senate districts letter william pryor alabama attorney general voting section chief civil rights division department justice house districts section tied state districts precedents prohibited enacting redistricting plan lead retrogression position racial minorities beer words state retrogress previous plan wished comply iv alabama quandary attempted redraw legislative districts exacerbated amendments amendments created inflexible definition retrogression alabama understandably took requiring maintain percentages minority voters districts amendments thus provide last piece puzzle explains state sought maintain percentages blacks district congress passed amendments response attempt define retrogression georgia ashcroft prior decision practically reapportionment change deemed vote dilution jurisprudence inclined find bossier thomas concurring strike reapportionment plan either include enough districts thereby diluted minority vote remaining districts jurisprudence thus inevitably force courts make political judgments regarding type apportionment best serves supposed minority interests judgments courts ill equipped make tried pull courts doj away making sorts judgments georgia ashcroft supra insofar applies drawing voting districts held district wrongly georgia reapportionment plan adopted retrogression standard gave flexibility determining percentage black voters district explained state may choose create certain number districts highly likely minority voters able elect candidate choice alternatively state may choose create greater number districts likely although perhaps quite likely benchmark plan minority voters able elect candidates choice ibid noted spreading minority voters greater number districts creates districts minority voters may opportunity elect candidate choice even success guaranteed even diminished chance electing representative districts thus permitted make judgments best prevent retrogression minority group voting power including assessing range appropriate minority population percentages within district response congress amended effectively overruled georgia ashcroft see stat amendments added subsection provides voting qualification prerequisite voting standard practice procedure respect voting purpose effect diminishing ability citizens account race color elect preferred candidates choice denies abridges right vote within meaning section see stat thus change effect diminishing ability minority group elect preferred candidate choice retrogressive rightly worried amendments impose much inflexibility sought comply richard pildes argued behalf alabama democratic conference cases testified congressional hearings amendments explained georgia ashcroft recognizes room modest flexibility section warned congress overturns georgia ashcroft make even limited amount flexibility illegal hearing continuing need section senate committee judiciary congress pp pildes also observed proposed standard ability elect rigidity mechanical quality lock place minority districts south populations serve minority voters interests although testimony says nothing interpreted tells us alabama democratic conference attorney believes state subject rigi mechanical standard determining number black voters must maintained district history explains alabama circumstances attempted redistrict census legislature began district maps inherited days using inherited maps combined population data census many state house senate districts black app juris statement state prohibited drawing new districts effect diminishing ability blacks elect preferred candidates choice legislature thus adopted policy maintaining number districts roughly percentage blacks within districts see ante majority faults state taking approach pretend alabama blameless comes sordid history racial politics today state one culpable redistricting effort indeed tainted tainted voting rights jurisprudence uses voting rights act put long ago doj groups like aclu hijacked act using ever since achieve vision maximized black electoral strength often expense voters purport help covered whipsawed first required create safe districts told diminis ability elect told rigid preventing diminishing ability elect ante worse majority solution appellants gerrymandering claims requires analyze race even exhaustively less accounting black voter registration turnout statistics ante majority command analyze black voting patterns en route adopting correct racial quota nothing ease conflict constitution consciously segregated districting system required name equality holder although dissent today procedural grounds also continue disagree misguided damaging jurisprudence footnotes together alabama democratic conference et al alabama et also appeal footnotes previously explained voting rights act unconstitutional see shelby county holder thomas concurring slip longer applies alabama decision shelby county see slip majority opinion appellants claims properly us however express opinion whether compliance compelling governmental purpose time alabama redistricting suggest alabama necessarily prevail appellants properly raised claims district found unclear whether doj maximization policy driven aclu advocacy doj misguided reading voting rights act concluded considerable influence aclu advocacy voting rights decisions attorney general embarrassment johnson miller supp sd litigation reed alabama democratic conference argue percentage black residents needed maintain ability elect candidate lower black participation increased last decade brief appellants pp although appellants disclaim argument state must achieve optimal percentage black voters districts clear seek plan maximizes voting strength maintaining safe districts also spreading black voters districts influence elections