Heimlich's History: Baker v. Carr Case

Introduction

• Part of the AP Government curriculum.
• Focuses on the Supreme Court case Baker v. Carr (1962).

Facts of the Case

• Year Decided: 1962
• Issue: Tennessee hadn't redrawn legislative districts for over 60 years.
  • Urban populations grew faster than rural populations.
  • Resulted in rural voters having more voting power than urban voters.

Example

• Urban vs. Rural Districts:
  • 100 people in urban district vs. 5 in rural district.
  • Both get one representative; rural vote counts more.

Reasons for Negligence

• Supreme Court had previously determined redistricting issues were not justiciable.
  • Seen as a political, not judicial, question.

Constitutional Principle

• 14th Amendment:
  • Equal Protection Clause: No state shall deny any person equal protection of the laws.
• Argument: By not redrawing districts, Tennessee violated the equal protection of urban citizens.

Supreme Court Decision

• Outcome: Reapportionment issues deemed justiciable.
• Supreme Court had authority to rule on legislative reapportionment.

Importance of the Decision

• One-Person, One-Vote Doctrine:
  • States required to apportion representatives to equally represent all people.
• Impact on Political Representation:
  • Many states had to redraw districts to balance rural and urban voting power.
• Supreme Court Involvement:
  • Court established a six-part test to decide when political issues are justiciable.

Conclusion

• The decision significantly altered the nature of political representation and court involvement in political questions like redistricting.

Further Resources

• Video offers more on required Supreme Court cases.
• Subscription and review packet options available for further study aids.