Baker v. Carr (1962)

Written by Jonathan Milner

Definition

A landmark Supreme Court case ruling that federal courts can hear challenges to how states draw legislative districts. Tennessee had not redrawn its districts since 1901, so rural votes counted far more than city votes.

Example

Baker v. Carr opened the door to Reynolds v. Sims (1964), which required state legislative districts to have roughly equal populations: "one person, one vote."

 

Questions

  1. Identify the constitutional clause at the center of Baker v. Carr.

  2. Explain why Tennessee's districts were unequal before the case.

  3. Describe the Supreme Court's holding in Baker v. Carr.

  4. Explain what the Court meant by saying redistricting was "justiciable."

  5. Explain how Baker v. Carr led to the principle of "one person, one vote."

  6. Describe how Baker v. Carr affected the power of urban voters.

  7. Explain how Baker v. Carr connects to the debate over gerrymandering today.

  8. Compare Baker v. Carr with Shaw v. Reno.

  9. What emoji would do a good job of expressing Baker v. Carr?

  10. Translate the ruling in Baker v. Carr into plain English.

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw Baker v. Carr! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

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Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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