Perry v. Perez (2011)
- Docket
- 11-713
- Decided
- 2011-01-01
Summary
Question: Did the district court abuse its discretion under the Voting Rights Act when it redrew 36 electoral districts? Conclusion: Maybe. In an unsigned, per curiam opinion, the Supreme Court vacated the interim maps and remanded for further proceedings. The Court held that it was unclear whether the district court used the proper standards to create their interim plan. Portions of the district court's plan seemed to be based on State policy considerations, and portions had no relation to the outdated plan or the proposed plan. A district court may redraw districts, but it should look to the State's proposed plan and the policies surrounding it for guidance. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a concurrence, agreeing with the result, but stating that Section 5 is unconstitutional and should not be a prerequisite for approval of a redistricting plan. He would vacate the interim plans and remand only for consideration of the other issues.