VIETH v. JUBELIRER

Legal Principle at Issue

Whether voters have standing to challenge a congressional redistricting plan based on allegations of partisan manipulation. Whether state actions that disregard neutral redistricting principles to favor a political party violate the Fourteenth Amendment. Whether drawing district lines to secure a partisan advantage, despite not having a majority of the popular vote, exceeds authority granted under Article I.

Action

Affirmed (includes modified). Petitioning party did not receive a favorable disposition.

Facts/Syllabus

Plaintiffs-appellants Richard Vieth, Norma Jean Vieth, and Susan Furey challenged a map drawn by the Pennsylvania General Assembly establishing districts for the election of congressional representatives, on the ground that the districting constitutes an unconstitutional political gerrymander. They filed brought suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, seeking to enjoin implementation of the congressional map. 

In Davis v. Bandemer, (1986), the Supreme Court held that political gerrymandering claims are justiciable, but could not agree upon a standard to adjudicate them. This appeal asked whether the Court's decision in Bandemer was in error, and, if not, what the standard should be.