Harris v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission
Holding
The federal district court did not err in upholding Arizona's redistricting plan because the plan's population deviations predominantly reflected efforts to achieve compliance with the Voting Rights Act, not to secure political advantage for the Democratic Party.
Judgment
Affirmed, 8-0, in an opinion by Stephen G. Breyer on Apr 20, 2016.
Aug 25, 2014Statement as to jurisdiction filed. (Response due September 29, 2014)
Sep 15, 2014Order extending time to file response to statement as to jurisdiction to and including October 29, 2014.
Sep 17, 2014Waiver of right of appellee Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett to respond filed.
Oct 20, 2014Order further extending time to file response to statement as to jurisdiction to and including November 13, 2014.
Nov 13, 2014Motion to dismiss or affirm filed by appellees Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, et al.Dec 2, 2014Reply of appellants Wesley W. Harris, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Dec 3, 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 9, 2015.
Jun 25, 2015DISTRIBUTED for Conference of June 29, 2015.
Jun 30, 2015PROBABLE JURISDICTION NOTED.
Jul 2, 2015The order noting probable jurisdiction is amended as follows: In this case probable jurisdiction is noted limited to Questions 1 and 2 presented by the statement as to jurisdiction.
Jul 24, 2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the appellants.
Jul 29, 2015The time to file the joint appendix and appellants' brief on the merits is extended to and including September 4, 2015.
Jul 29, 2015The time to file appellees' brief on the merits is extended to and including October 26, 2015.
Jul 31, 2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or of neither party received from counsel for appellee Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan.
Sep 4, 2015Brief of appellee Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan in support of appellants filed.Sep 4, 2015Joint appendix filed.
Sep 4, 2015Brief of appellants Wesley W. Harris, et al. filed.Sep 10, 2015Brief amicus curiae of Southern Coalition for Social Justice in support of neither party filed.Oct 9, 2015SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, DECEMBER 8, 2015
Oct 19, 2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the appellee Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.
Oct 19, 2015Record requested from U.S.D.C. District of Arizona.
Oct 26, 2015Brief of appellee Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission filed.Oct 27, 2015CIRCULATED
Oct 30, 2015Motion for divided argument filed by appellee Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan in support of appellants.
Nov 2, 2015Brief amicus curiae of the United States filed. (Distributed)Nov 2, 2015Brief amici curiae of Former Officials of the U.S. Department of Justice Who Enforced the Voting Rights Act filed. (Distributed)Nov 2, 2015Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
Nov 2, 2015Brief amici curiae of The Navajo Nation and Leonard Gorman filed. (Distributed)Nov 2, 2015Brief amicus curiae of Samuel S. Wang, Ph.D. filed. (Distributed)Nov 2, 2015Brief amici curiae of Professors Nicholas Stephanoupolis and Simon Jackman filed. (Distributed)Nov 24, 2015Motion for divided argument filed by appellee Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan in support of appellants. GRANTED.
Nov 24, 2015Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
Nov 25, 2015Reply of appellant Wesley W. Harris, et al. (Distributed)Nov 25, 2015Letter and 8 1/2 x 11 inch copies of exhibits that appear in appellants' brief on the merits received.
Nov 25, 2015Reply of appellee Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan in support of appellants filed. (Distributed)Dec 8, 2015Argued. For appellants: Mark F. Hearne, II, St. Louis, Mo. For appellee Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan in support of appellants: Mark Brnovich, Arizona Attorney General, Phoenix, Ariz. For appellee Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission: Paul M. Smith, Washington, D. C.; and Sarah E. Harrington, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.)
Apr 20, 2016Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Breyer, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court.
May 23, 2016JUDGMENT ISSUED
Recommended Citation: Harris v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/harris-v-arizona-independent-redistricting-commission/