Background: "Questions arose about whether the states’ division of voting districts was fair."
Charles Baker
Facts: "I and similar residents of more heavily populated legislative districts are being denied “equal protection of the laws”."
Issue: "Do federal courts have the power to decide cases about the apportionment of population into state legislative districts?"
Charles Baker
Charles Baker
Argument for Baker (petitioner): "The courts should be able to decide this issue. The text of Article III, section 2 of the U.S. Constitution is clear: “judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution.”"
Argument for Carr (respondent): "The federal courts do not have the constitutional authority to review legislative districts."
Carr
Decision: "In a 6–2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in favor of Baker."
