CASE SUMMARY

On January 31, 2017, a North Carolina voter filed a lawsuit against the N.C. State Board of Elections and the Hoke County Board of Elections challenging the at-large method of electing Hoke County Commissioners as diluting Black voters’ voting strength in violation of the federal and state constitutions’ Equal Protection Clauses as well as constituting a racial gerrymander in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment. They sought preliminary and permanent injunctive relief barring the at-large election method from being used in future elections and an order requiring the Hoke County Board of Commissioners to implement a constitutional districting plan for its elections.

  • On May 15, 2017, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss on the grounds the plaintiff failed to state a racial gerrymandering claim against the County Board of Elections and their claim against the State Board of Elections was barred by the 11th Amendment. Plaintiff appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on June 14, 2017.
  • On May 25, 2017, the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision.
  • Plaintiff filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, which was denied on January 8, 2018.

CASE LIBRARY

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina - No. 1:17-cv-00078 (Originally Walker v. N.C. State Bd. of Elections)

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit - No. 17-1383

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit - No. 17-1727

U.S. Supreme Court - No. 17-6309