Abrams v. Johnson - Significance, The 1990 Census And Georgia's Restricting Plan, Court Upholds Plan, Further Readings

Abrams v. Johnson - Significance

In upholding the district court's plan, the Court emphasized its previous decisions which stated that race may not be taken into account by a state legislature or court in creating election districts, even where race is used to promote minority representation. Article I, section 3 of the Constitution requires that the number of U.S. Representatives for each state be apportioned--that is, distribut…

Abrams v. Johnson - Further Readings

Abrams v. Johnson - The 1990 Census And Georgia's Restricting Plan

The census performed in 1990 revealed that Georgia's population had increased significantly, and that Georgia was entitled to 11, instead of 10, congressional seats. Under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it was the responsibility of the Georgia state legislature to reapportion its congressional seats. However, the legislature was required to have its plan approved by either the U.S. Department of J…

Abrams v. Johnson - Court Upholds Plan

The U.S. Department of Justice and various African American voters appealed the district court's plan to the Supreme Court. They argued that the district court should have adopted one of several plans submitted to the district court which would have had two majority-minority districts. Among other claims, they argued that the plan adopted by the district court violated section 2 Voting Rights Act …