Untitled Flashcards Set

What was the central constitutional clause in Baker v. Carr (1962)?

The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

What did the plaintiffs argue in Baker v. Carr regarding Tennessee's redistricting?

They argued it violated their right to equal protection because their votes carried less weight in underrepresented urban areas.

What was the decision of the Supreme Court in Baker v. Carr?

The Court ruled 6-2 that federal courts could hear cases involving state legislative redistricting.

What issue did Baker v. Carr address regarding federal courts?

Whether federal courts have jurisdiction over cases of state legislative apportionment.

What principle did Baker v. Carr establish regarding voting?

The principle of 'one person, one vote' emphasizing equal weight of votes.

In Shaw v. Reno (1993), what was at the center of the case?

The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

What did the plaintiffs challenge in Shaw v. Reno?

The oddly-shaped, racially gerrymandered congressional districts created by North Carolina.

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in Shaw v. Reno?

The Court ruled 5-4 that the racially gerrymandered district violated the Equal Protection Clause.

What standard must classifications based on race meet, as established in Shaw v. Reno?

Legal classifications based on race are subject to strict scrutiny.

What was the impact of Shaw v. Reno on redistricting in the United States?

It changed how states approached redistricting, prohibiting the drawing of districts primarily based on race.