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Georgia v. Ashcroft April 29, 2003 (02-182) return to case listing Case Summary This case presents the question of whether the Voting Rights Act of 1965 permits spreading minority voters across a state in multiple districts as opposed to concentrating them in a smaller number of "majority-minority" districts. In an effort to enhance Democratic representation following the 2000 census, the Georgia state legislature revised the state?s Congressional and state legislative districts to "unpack" black voters from a smaller number of high-concentration districts and spread black voters more evenly over a larger number of districts. Respondents challenged the redistricting plans as a violation of the Voting Rights Act on the basis that they diluted minority voting strength, and a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit agreed in an opinion issued April 5, 2002. See 195 F.Supp. 2d 25. In a separate opinion issued June 3, 2002, the same three-judge panel upheld Petitioner?s alternative redistricting plan. See 204 F.Supp.2d 4. Petitioner appeals from the panel?s invalidation of the original plan, and the Supreme Court noted probable jurisdiction. The opinion of the district court is found at 195 F.Supp.2d 25; 204 F.Supp.2d 4. To see the opinion of the lower court, click here. PREDICTED OUTCOME ACTUAL OUTCOME Forecasting Model Expert One Expert Two Expert Three 5-4 to Reverse 6-3 to Affirm 5-4 to Reverse n/a 5-4 to Reverse VOTING TO REVERSE Rehnquist O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Thomas Rehnquist Scalia Thomas Rehnquist O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Thomas Rehnquist O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Thomas VOTING TO AFFIRM Stevens Souter Ginsburg Breyer Stevens O'Connor Kennedy Souter Ginsburg Breyer Stevens Souter Ginsburg Breyer Stevens Souter Ginsburg Breyer return to case listing