et al virginia state board elections et argued december decided march census virginia state legislature drew new lines state legislative districts goal ensuring district black population bvap least certain voters filed suit claiming new districts violated fourteenth amendment equal protection clause state legislative officials state intervened defend plan district rejected challenges districts concluded voters shown precedent requires race predominant factor motivating legislature decision place significant number voters within without particular district miller johnson held race predominates conflict traditional redistricting criteria race supp thus confined predominance analysis portions new lines appeared deviate traditional criteria remaining district district found race predominate lines constitutional legislature use race narrowly tailored compelling state interest particular found legislature good reasons believe racial target necessary district avoid diminishing ability black voters elect preferred candidates time violated voting rights act see alabama legislative black caucus alabama held district employed incorrect legal standard determining race predominate districts pp equal protection clause prohibits state without sufficient justification separat ing citizens different voting districts basis race miller courts must exercise extraordinary caution adjudicating claims racial gerrymandering since legislature always aware race draws district lines aware demographic factors shaw reno shaw plaintiff alleging racial gerrymandering thus bears burden show either circumstantial evidence district shape demographics direct evidence going legislative purpose race predominant factor motivating legislature districting decision requires proving legislature subordinated traditional districting principles racial considerations miller supra district misapplied controlling law two principal ways pp first district misunderstood relevant precedents required challengers establish prerequisite showing racial predominance actual conflict enacted plan traditional redistricting principles made clear parties may show predominance either circumstantial evidence district shape demographics direct evidence going legislative purpose miller supra race may predominate even plan respects traditional principles shaw hunt shaw ii state theory case irreconcilable miller shaw ii state insists harm racial gerrymandering lies racial per se grouping voters race together otherwise lack shared interests constitutional violation racial gerrymandering cases stems racial purpose state action stark manifestation miller supra state also contends race prohibited effect district lines legislature drawn lines accordance traditional criteria proper inquiry however concerns actual considerations provided essential basis lines drawn post hoc justifications legislature used legislature construct plethora potential maps look consistent traditional principles race overriding reason choosing one map others race still may predominate conflict inconsistency may persuasive circumstantial evidence tending show racial predomination rule requires challengers present kind evidence every case practical matter kind evidence may necessary many even cases may cases challengers establish racial predominance without evidence actual conflict pp district also erred considering legislature racial motive extent challengers identified deviations traditional redistricting criteria attributable race factor racial gerrymandering claims proceed alabama supra courts divorce portion district lines whatever relationship traditional principles rest district courts may consider evidence pertaining area larger smaller district issue ultimate object inquiry legislature predominant motive district design whole explanation particular portion lines must take account districtwide context holistic analysis necessary give proper weight districtwide evidence stark splits racial composition populations moved district use racial target pp district best positioned determine remand extent proper standard race directed shape districts race predominate whether strict scrutiny satisfied pp district judgment regarding district consistent basic narrow tailoring analysis explained alabama challenger succeeds establishing racial predominance burden shifts state demonstrate districting legislation narrowly tailored achieve compelling interest miller supra assumed state interest complying voting rights act compelling interest state justifies predominant use race redistricting basis need comply voting rights act narrow tailoring requirement insists legislature basis evidence support choice made alabama state must show action actually necessary avoid statutory violation legislature reasons use race needed order satisfy voting rights act ibid error district conclusion legislature sufficient grounds determine calculus employed district necessary avoid violating facts found legislature performed kind functional analysis district necessary result reflected efforts legislators achieve informed bipartisan consensus contesting sufficiency evidence evidence justifying bvap floor challengers ask much state officials charged sensitive duty reapportioning legislative districts claim bvap floor akin mechanically numerical view rejected alabama supra record supports state conclusion instance bvap necessary black voters functional working majority pp supp affirmed part vacated part remanded kennedy delivered opinion roberts ginsburg breyer sotomayor kagan joined alito filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment thomas filed opinion concurring judgment part dissenting part 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 golden et appellants virginia state board elections et al appeal district eastern district virginia march justice kennedy delivered opinion case addresses whether virginia state legislature consideration race drawing new lines state legislative districts violated equal protection clause fourteenth amendment census redistricting required ensure proper numerical apportionment virginia house delegates undisputed boundary lines districts issue drawn goal ensuring district black population bvap least certain voters challenged new districts unconstitutional racial gerrymanders district eastern district virginia constituted district rejected challenges districts districts district concluded voters shown precedent requires race predominant factor motivating legislature decision place significant number voters within without particular district miller johnson district held race predominates conflict traditional redistricting criteria race supp ed confined predominance analysis portions new lines appeared deviate traditional criteria found violation remaining district district district found race predominate concluded however lines constitutional legislature use race narrowly tailored compelling state interest particular district determined legislature good reasons believe racial target necessary district avoid diminishing ability black voters elect preferred candidates time violated voting rights act alabama legislative black caucus alabama slip internal quotation marks omitted emphasis deleted appeal challengers contend district employed incorrect legal standard racial predominance legislature lacked good reasons use race district affirms district vacates remands remaining districts census virginia general assembly set redraw legislative districts state senate house delegates time elections february house committee privileges elections adopted resolution establishing criteria guide redistricting process among criteria traditional redistricting factors compactness contiguity territory respect communities interest traditional objectives committee gave priority two goals first accordance principle one person one vote committee resolved population district shall nearly equal population every district practicable deviations falling within one percent supp second committee resolved new map must comply protections unwarranted retrogression contained voting rights act ibid time required covered jurisdictions including virginia preclear change voting standard practice procedure showing federal authorities change purpose effect diminishing ability members minority group elect preferred candidates choice stat redistricting process completed held coverage formula voting rights act longer may used require preclearance see shelby county holder slip committee criteria presented potential problems house districts congress amended plan leads impermissible retrogression compared plan currently effect typically called plan new plan diminishes number districts minority groups preferred candidates choice often called districts harris arizona independent redistricting slip quoting parties agree districts issue minorities constituted majority population many past elections qualified districts districts underpopulated however new plan required moving significant numbers new voters districts order comply principle one person one vote benchmark plan districts bvaps ranging three districts bvaps seeking maintain minority voters ability elect preferred candidates districts complying criterion legislators concluded districts needed contain bvap least supp trial parties disputed whether figure aspiration target rule ibid dispute important question whether figure used drawing challenged districts ibid parties agreed district found bvap figure used structuring districts ibid enacted plan districts contained bvap greater first suggested bvap criterion legislators agreed upon less clear evidence see describing estimony question muddle end district found criterion emerged discussions among certain members house black caucus leader redistricting effort house delegate chris jones based largely concerns pertaining delegate tyler district figure applied across board twelve districts ibid april general assembly passed delegate jones plan broad support parties members black caucus one two dissenting members black caucus delegate tyler district objected solely ground bvap district low june department justice precleared plan three years later suit filed separate district struck virginia third federal congressional district issue based part legislature use bvap threshold see page virginia state bd elections supp ed vacated remanded sub nom cantor personhuballah judgt entered sub nom page virginia state bd elections wl june appeal dism sub nom wittman personhuballah decision voters registered districts issue filed action challenging district lines equal protection clause claims challeng ed constitutionality apportionment statewide legislative body case heard district virginia house delegates speaker william howell together referred hereinafter state intervened assumed responsibility defending plan district bench trial divided district ruled state respect challenged district first assessed whether racial considerations predominated traditional redistricting criteria supp essential premise majority opinion race predominate unless actual conflict traditional redistricting criteria race leads subordination former implement standard moreover limited inquiry racial motive portions district lines appeared deviate traditional criteria thus examine aspects district appear ed constitute neutral criteria ascertain whether deviations attributable race considerations protection incumbents found deviation attributable race proceed determine whether racial considerations qualitatively subordinated districting criteria ibid analysis found race predominate districts turned district district found race predominate reasoned chieving bvap floor required maneuvering reflected face district applying strict scrutiny held compliance compelling state interest legislature consideration race district narrowly tailored narrow tailoring explained state strong basis evidence believe actions reasonably necessary avoid retrogression particular found delegate jones considered precisely kinds evidence legislators encouraged use achieving compliance including turnout rates district large disenfranchised prison population voting patterns contested primary general elections judge keenan dissented districts concluded majority applied incorrect understanding racial predominance delegate jones analysis district general conclusory appeal followed probable jurisdiction noted see ii factual procedural background set appropriate consider controlling legal principles case equal protection clause prohibits state without sufficient justification separat ing citizens different voting districts basis race miller harms flow racial sorting include personally subjected racial classification well represented legislator believes primary obligation represent members particular racial group alabama slip alterations citation internal quotation marks omitted time courts must exercise extraordinary caution adjudicating claims state drawn district lines basis race miller electoral districting difficult subject legislatures requiring delicate balancing competing considerations redistricting differs kinds state decisionmaking legislature always aware race draws district lines aware variety demographic factors shaw reno shaw light considerations held plaintiff alleging racial gerrymandering bears burden 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 satisfy burden plaintiff must prove legislature subordinated traditional districting principles racial considerations ibid challengers contend finding race predominate districts district misapplied controlling law two principal ways considers turn challengers first argue district misunderstood relevant precedents required challengers establish prerequisite showing racial predominance actual conflict enacted plan traditional redistricting principles agrees challengers point threshold requirement enacted plan must conflict traditional principles might reconcilable case law earlier time shaw recognized claim racial gerrymandering first time see certain language shaw read support requiring challenger alleges racial gerrymandering show actual conflict traditional principles opinion stated example strict scrutiny applies redistricting legislation bizarre face unexplainable grounds race internal quotation marks omitted opinion also stated reapportionment one area appearances matter opinion miller however clarified racial predominance inquiry particular rejected argument regardless legislature purposes plaintiff must demonstrate district shape bizarre unexplainable basis race held contrary language central instant case shape relevant bizarreness necessary element constitutional wrong threshold requirement proof may persuasive circumstantial evidence race sake districting principles legislature dominant controlling rationale parties therefore may rely evidence bizarreness establish districting may show predominance either circumstantial evidence district shape demographics direct evidence going legislative purpose addressed racial gerrymandering traditional redistricting factors shaw hunt shaw ii rejected view one dissents strict scrutiny apply state traditional districting principles quoting stevens dissenting alteration omitted race may predominate even reapportionment plan respects traditional principles explained ace criterion state view compromised considerations came play decision made state theory case irreconcilable miller shaw ii state insists example harm racial gerrymandering lies racial per se grouping voters race together otherwise lack shared interests constitutional violation racial gerrymandering cases stems racial purpose state action stark manifestation miller supra equal protection clause prohibit misshapen districts prohibits unjustified racial classifications state contends race prohibited effect district lines legislature drawn lines accordance traditional criteria argument parallels district reasoning reapportionment plan express racial classification unless racial purpose apparent face plan based irregular nature lines see supp incorrect racial predominance inquiry concerns actual considerations provided essential basis lines drawn post hoc justifications legislature theory used reality traditional redistricting principles moreover numerous malleable district identified fewer redistricting factors legislature consider surprisingly ethereal admi degrees deploying factors various combinations permutations state construct plethora potential maps look consistent traditional principles race sake overriding reason choosing one map others race still may predominate reasons conflict inconsistency enacted plan traditional redistricting criteria threshold requirement mandatory precondition order challenger establish claim racial gerrymandering course conflict inconsistency may persuasive circumstantial evidence tending show racial predomination rule requiring challengers present kind evidence every case practical matter many cases perhaps cases challengers unable prove unconstitutional racial gerrymander without evidence enacted plan conflicts traditional redistricting criteria general legislatures engage impermissible redistricting find necessary depart traditional principles order absence conflict traditional principles may difficult challengers find evidence sufficient show race overriding factor causing neutral considerations cast aside fact date affirmed predominance finding remanded case determination predominance without evidence district lines deviated traditional principles see alabama slip hunt cromartie bush vera plurality opinion shaw ii supra miller supra shaw supra yet law responds proper evidence valid inferences circumstances learns ways commands circumvented may cases challengers able establish racial predominance absence actual conflict presenting direct evidence legislative purpose intent compelling circumstantial evidence challengers submit district erred considered legislature racial motive extent challengers identified deviations traditional redistricting criteria attributable race factor challengers view approach foreclosed holistic analysis district led district give insufficient weight bvap target relevant evidence race predominated agrees explained showing deviation conflict traditional redistricting principles necessary prerequisite establishing racial predominance supra even challenger alleges conflict succeeds showing one confine analysis conflicting portions lines basic unit analysis racial gerrymandering claims general racial predominance inquiry particular district racial gerrymandering claims proceed alabama slip consistently described claim racial gerrymandering claim race improperly used drawing boundaries one specific electoral districts ibid miller basic predominance test scrutinizes legislature motivation placing significant number voters within without particular district courts evaluating racial predominance therefore divorce portion lines whatever relationship traditional principles rest district suggest courts evaluating racial gerrymandering claims may consider evidence pertaining area larger smaller district issue recognized oters course present statewide evidence order prove racial gerrymandering particular district alabama supra slip emphasis deleted districts share borders legislature may pursue common redistricting policy toward multiple districts likewise legislature decisionmaking may evident notable way particular part district follows may consider evidence regarding certain portions district lines including portions conflict traditional redistricting principles ultimate object inquiry however legislature predominant motive design district whole faced racial gerrymandering claim therefore must consider lines district issue explanation particular portion lines moreover must take account districtwide context concentrating particular portions isolation may obscure significance relevant districtwide evidence stark splits racial composition populations moved disparate parts district use express racial target holistic analysis necessary give kind evidence proper weight challengers ask correct district racial predominance standard also apply standard conclude race fact predominate districts district held part state asks hold even race predominate districts state predominant use race narrowly tailored compelling interest complying declines requests urs final review first view department transportation association american railroads slip internal quotation marks omitted district best positioned determine first instance extent proper standard race directed shape districts race predominate proper district determine first instance whether strict scrutiny satisfied matters left district remand iii turns arguments regarding district challenger succeeds establishing racial predominance burden shifts state demonstrate districting legislation narrowly tailored achieve compelling interest miller supra district determined state predominant use race district narrowly tailored achieve compliance challengers contest finding narrow tailoring dispute compliance compelling interest relevant time previous cases therefore assumes without deciding state interest complying voting rights act compelling alabama supra slip shaw ii turning narrow tailoring explained contours requirement alabama state justifies predominant use race redistricting basis need comply voting rights act narrow tailoring requirement insists legislature strong basis evidence support choice made slip internal quotation marks omitted standard require state show action actually necessary avoid statutory violation use race state lost ibid internal quotation marks omitted rather requisite strong basis evidence exists legislature good reasons believe must use race order satisfy voting rights act even find actions necessary statutory compliance ibid internal quotation marks omitted finds error district conclusion state sufficient grounds determine calculus employed district necessary avoid violating explained time barred virginia adopting districting change effect diminishing ability members minority group elect preferred candidates choice determining minority population percentage satisfy standard difficult task requiring view department justice functional analysis electoral behavior within particular election district guidance concerning redistricting section voting rights act fed reg facts found district legislature performed kind functional analysis district deciding upon bvap target redrawing district presented difficult task result reflected efforts delegate jones colleagues achieve informed bipartisan consensus delegate jones met delegate tyler probably half dozen times configure district order avoid retrogression supp internal quotation marks omitted discussed district incumbents districts also considered turnout rates results recent contested primary general elections district large population disenfranchised black prisoners challengers moreover dispute district district white black voters area tend vote blocs see light delegate jones careful assessment local conditions structures state strong basis evidence believe bvap floor required avoid retrogression challengers responses ask much state officials charged sensitive duty reapportioning legislative districts first challengers contest sufficiency evidence showing delegate jones fact performed functional analysis part analysis memorialized writing district factual findings reviewed clear error see easley cromartie findings regarding legislature arrived bvap target well supported require engaged redistricting compile comprehensive administrative record vera internal quotation marks omitted challengers argue drafters plan insufficient evidence justify bvap floor elections idiosyncratic challengers contend moreover demographic information prison district absent record delegate tyler perspective influenced personal interest reelection may reasons possible state drawn district bvap sought judicial preclearance found violation question law insist state legislature redistricting determine precisely percent minority population demands alabama slip question whether state good reasons believe bvap floor necessary avoid liability ibid internal quotation marks omitted state good reasons circumstances holding otherwise afford state legislatures little breathing room leaving trapped competing hazards liability voting rights act equal protection clause vera supra internal quotation marks omitted final point challengers liken bvap floor mechanically numerical view rejected alabama slip alabama condemn use bvap targets comply every instance rather corrected misperception required state maintai population percentages districts prior plan slip seem highly unlikely explained reducing district bvap say significant impact black voters ability elect preferred candidate slip yet reducing bvap well might effect cases record supports legislature conclusion one instance bvap necessary black voters functional working majority iv holding case controlled precedent reaffirms basic racial predominance analysis explained miller shaw ii basic narrow tailoring analysis explained alabama district judgment district consistent principles applying principles remaining districts entrusted district first instance judgment district affirmed part vacated part case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered opinion alito golden et appellants virginia state board elections et al appeal district eastern district virginia march justice alito concurring part concurring judgment join opinion insofar upholds constitutionality district ante districting plan issue adopted prior decision shelby county holder therefore appropriate apply body law effect time appellants never contested district holding compliance voting rights act compelling government interest covered jurisdictions decision shelby county see supp ed concur judgment insofar vacates remands judgment respect remaining districts unlike however hold districts must satisfy strict scrutiny see post thomas concurring judgment part dissenting part see also league latin american citizens perry scalia concurring judgment part dissenting part hen legislature intentionally creates district race necessarily predominant motivation strict scrutiny therefore triggered opinion thomas golden et appellants virginia state board elections et al appeal district eastern district virginia march justice thomas concurring judgment part dissenting part appellants contend virginia state legislative districts unconstitutional racial gerrymanders district rejected challenge holding race legislature predominant motive drawing districts remaining district survives strict scrutiny reverse district districts therefore concur judgment part dissent part concur judgment reversing district decision uphold districts issue case house districts agree however decision leave open question whether race predominated districts thus whether subject strict scrutiny ante appellees hereinafter state concede legislature intentionally drew districts districts see brief appellees legislature sought achieve black population least adjusting lines districts concession view mandates strict scrutiny district see bush vera thomas concurring judgment state concession intentionally created districts sufficient show race predominant motivating factor redistricting league latin american citizens perry lulac scalia concurring judgment part dissenting part hen legislature intentionally creates district race necessarily predominant motivation strict scrutiny therefore triggered therefore hold district must apply strict scrutiny districts remand ii disagree judgment respect remaining district district majority affirms district holding district subject strict scrutiny agree districts state conceded intentionally drew district district disagree however majority determination district satisfies strict scrutiny held state may draw distinctions among citizens based race pursuing compelling state interest chosen narrowly tailored means accomplish interest shaw hunt internal quotation marks omitted state asserts used race drawing district compelling interest complying section voting rights act brief appellees argues based functional analysis district narrowly tailored use race achieve interest view state neither asserted compelling state interest narrowly tailored use race initial matter majority errs assum ing without deciding state interest complying voting rights act compelling ante sure previously assumed state compelling interest complying voting rights act done cases upheld redistricting plan issue see miller johnson leaving open question hether cases compliance voting rights act standing alone provide compelling interest independent interest remedying past discrimination never today assumed compelling state interest upholding state redistricting plan indeed know case context assumed away part state burden justify intentional use race first hold complying voting rights act compelling interest ompliance federal antidiscrimination laws justify districting challenged district reasonably necessary constitutional reading application laws emphasis added decade ago joined justice scalia opinion lulac noted upheld constitutionality proper exercise congress authority fifteenth amendment enforce amendment prohibition denial abridgment right vote therefore agreed proper case covered jurisdiction may compelling interest complying since concluded unconstitutional northwest austin municipal util dist one holder thomas concurring judgment part dissenting part violence intimidation subterfuge led congress pass uphold longer remains longer justified appropriate mechanism enforcement fifteenth amendment view unconstitutional hold state compelling interest complying even compliance compelling interest state failed narrowly tailor use race interest explained ny preference based racial ethnic criteria must necessarily receive searching examination wygant jackson bd plurality opinion internal quotation marks omitted accord adarand constructors peña grutter bollinger rehnquist dissenting exacting scrutiny makes sense iscrimination basis race odious aspects rose mitchell accordingly state use race must bear exact compelling state interest wygant supra opinion powell context redistricting redistricting map must minimum actually remedy anticipated violation achieve compliance voting rights act shaw serious doubts standard narrow tailoring characterized today alabama legislative black caucus alabama relying alabama majority explains narrow tailoring redistricting context requires legislature strong basis evidence support choice made ante internal quotation marks omitted standard demand state actions actually necessary achieve compelling state interest order constitutionally valid alabama supra slip internal quotation marks omitted see also ante instead standard state legislature needs good reasons believe use race required even use race actually necessary alabama supra slip internal quotation marks omitted approach narrow tailoring deferring state belief good reasons use race strict name extent applies alabama dilute standard established precedents demur applying proper standard state classifications based race conclude state narrowly tailor use race comply majority recognizes requires state redistricting plan maintain black population ability elect candidate choice district issue words state must avoid retrogression new district ante majority observes redistricting plan architect delegate chris jones performed functional analysis deciding district required black population opposed percentage avoid retrogression ibid notes arriving threshold delegate jones considered turnout rates results primary general elections district large population disenfranchised black prisoners ante also met incumbent delegate district probably half dozen times discussed district incumbents districts ante internal quotation marks omitted efforts add majority view careful assessment local conditions structures ante agree efforts satisfy narrow tailoring delegate jones admitted aware retrogress ion analysis performed im persons worked development redistricting plan app instead merely look ed percentage black population percentage black voting age population looked happened last year period given existing population demographic shifts tried restore back levels black population previous maps approach misguided require maintaining population percentages districts prior plan alabama supra slip event calculation qualify rigorous analysis think permit imprecise approach regard instance racial discrimination evidence cited majority similarly weak majority points meetings delegate jones incumbent delegate district ante apparent record whether district incumbent current black population candidate choice moreover incumbent delegate may well wanted district electorally safer voting rights act requires also obvious delegate jones seeking avoid retrogression district met incumbent delegates districts ibid view efforts fall far short establishing black population bears state interest alternative percentage wygant supra opinion powell accordingly hold state failed narrowly tailor use race avoid retrogression district reaching conclusions recognize least responsible state legislature racially gerrymandered districts explained repeatedly failed decide whether compliance voting rights act compelling governmental interest see supra indeed refused even decide whether constitutional despite twice taken cases decide question compare juris statement northwest austin presenting question hether preclearance requirement applied valid exercise congress remedial powers reconstruction amendments shelby county holder granting certiorari question hether congress decision reauthorize section voting rights act coverage formula section violated tenth amendment article iv constitution northwest austin holding district issue eligible seek bailout voting rights act therefore reach ing constitutionality shelby county holder slip holding coverage formula unconstitutional issu ing holding result left state without clear guidance redistricting obligations put state similar bind respect narrow tailoring comply state necessarily must make deliberate precise effort sort citizens basis race result fundamentally odds constitution neither knows tolerates classes among citizens plessy ferguson harlan dissenting contradiction illustrates perversity jurisprudence area well uncomfortable position state might find despite sympathy state ignore constitution clear prohibition race discrimination constitution abhors classifications based race classifications harm favored races based illegitimate motives also every time government places citizens racial registers demeans us grutter thomas concurring part dissenting part prohibition urchased price immeasurable human suffering reflects nation understanding classifications ultimately destructive impact individual society adarand constructors thomas concurring part concurring judgment respectfully dissent judgment district footnotes unclear record whether state sought justify use race grounds leave district evaluate first instance asserted compelling interest including whether interest forfeited see also shaw hunt miller expressly left open question whether proper circumstances compliance voting rights act compelling state interest reach question find creating additional district required correct reading assume arguendo purpose resolving suit compliance compelling interest hold remedy narrowly tailored asserted end bush vera plurality opinion assume without deciding compliance voting rights act interpreted precedents compelling state interest hold districts issue narrowly tailored achieve interest citation omitted alabama legislative black caucus alabama slip decide whether continued compliance remains compelling interest conclude district legislature asked wrong question respect narrow tailoring