Gore v. Harris

Baker v. Carr

369 U.S. 186 (1962)

Held that legislative apportionment is a justiciable issue, overturning decades of precedent treating redistricting as a political question. Allowed federal courts to hear challenges to malapportioned legislative districts under the Equal Protection Clause, leading to the 'one person, one vote' principle in Reynolds v. Sims.

Bush v. Gore

531 U.S. 98 (2000)

Halted the Florida presidential election recount ordered by the Florida Supreme Court, holding that varying recount standards across counties violated the Equal Protection Clause. The per curiam decision effectively decided the 2000 presidential election in favor of George W. Bush. The Court stated its holding was 'limited to the present circumstances.'

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

558 U.S. 310 (2010)

Held that the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations, labor unions, and other associations. Overruled Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce and parts of McConnell v. FEC. Transformed campaign finance law and led to the rise of super PACs.

Shelby County v. Holder

570 U.S. 529 (2013)

Struck down Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which contained the coverage formula determining which states and localities required federal preclearance before changing voting laws or procedures. Chief Justice Roberts held the formula was based on decades-old data and no longer reflected current conditions, effectively rendering Section 5 preclearance inoperable.

League of Women Voters of North Carolina v. North Carolina

769 F.3d 224 (M.D.N.C. 2016)

Struck down North Carolina's omnibus voting law (HB 589), finding that provisions including strict photo ID requirements, reduced early voting, and elimination of same-day registration were enacted with discriminatory intent targeting African American voters 'with almost surgical precision.' A landmark voting rights decision.