CASE SUMMARY

On November 2, 2022, a group of Massachusetts voters filed a lawsuit in Suffolk County Superior Court seeking to block the Boston City Council from approving a new redistricting plan based on alleged violations of state Open Meeting Laws.

  • After their request for a temporary restraining order was denied, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on November 12, 2022, alleging the Council’s approved plan diluted Black voters’ voting strength in violation of § 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act and was racially gerrymandered in violation of the 14th Amendment. They sought a preliminary injunction barring the plan from use in future elections.
  • On December 2, 2022, the Boston City Council removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
  • On May 8, 2023, following a hearing, the federal district court preliminarily enjoined the plan after finding the plaintiffs were likely to prevail on their racial gerrymandering claim.
  • On May 24, 2023, the City Council approved a new redistricting plan which was signed into law two days later. On October 19, 2023, the district court dismissed the case after the parties jointly agreed to settle the lawsuit.

CASE LIBRARY

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk Superior Court - No. 2284CV2490 H

U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts - No. 1:22-cv-12048