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Prof. Justin Levitt's Doug Spencer's Guide to Drawing the Electoral Lines
Arkansas | Congress

Simpson v. Thurston (was Hutchinson)

Last Updated Jun 3, 2024
Case No. 4:22-cv-00213 (E.D. Ark.), No. 23-138 (S. Ct.)
Cycle 2020

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Case Information

A federal court challenge to Arkansas’ new congressional maps based largely on the division of Pulaski County, alleging intentional racial discrimination and vote dilution under the federal and state constitutions and the Voting Rights Act.

On Oct. 24, 2022, the court dismissed several claims, but allowed plaintiffs to amend their complaint to develop the factual basis for the allegations of intentional racial discrimination and vote dilution; on May 25, 2023, the court dismissed the amended complaint as well.

On appeal, on June 3, 2024, the court’s dismissal was vacated by the Supreme Court and remanded for further consideration in light of Alexander v. SC NAACP, concerning the impermissibly preodminant use of race and intentional racial discrimination.  The case is now back at the trial court.

History

Case filings, starting with most recent court
    Name Last Modified
Document icon Complaint Mar 7, 2022
Document icon Motion to dismiss Apr 12, 2022
Document icon Opposition May 9, 2022
Document icon Reply May 25, 2022
Document icon Amicus brief of Sen. Tom Cotton May 23, 2022
Highlighted document Document icon Order dismissing in part Oct 24, 2022
Document icon Amd. complaint (incl. exhs.) Dec 2, 2022
Document icon Motion to dismiss Dec 16, 2022
Document icon Opposition Dec 26, 2022
Document icon Amicus brief of Dr. Quintessa Hathaway Feb 23, 2023
Highlighted document Document icon Opinion dismissing case May 25, 2023
Document icon Notice of appeal Jun 12, 2023
    Name Last Modified
Document icon Jurisdictional statement (incl. appx.) Aug 11, 2023
Document icon State's motion to affirm Nov 1, 2023
Highlighted document Document icon Order vacating and remanding Jun 3, 2024

Map | Challenged congressional plan

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Additional Cases

State court rejected challenge to congressional maps: alleged racial vote dilution and intentional discrimination under state constitution
Cycle 2020
PENDING - Federal court challenge to congressional maps: unconstitutional use of race, intentional racial discrimination
Cycle 2020