Free Response #3 Supreme Court cases

Question 1

Describe background situation in Baker V. CARR in questions court had to decide

Answer 1

A person sued his state because his district had a much higher population than other districts, but they hadn’t redistricted in decades.
The Supreme Court had to decide if they could force states to Redraw their legislative districts

Question 2

Decision of court Baker V. Carr rationale using the correct parts of the constitution

Answer 2

The Supreme Court rule that state legislative districts must be about equal under the equal protection clause in the 14th amendment

Question 3

Describe background situation of Shaw V. Reno and questions court had to decide.

Answer 3

A state was forced to redraw their congressional district to create another branch majority district and several citizens sued due to the odd shape of the district.
The Supreme Court had to decide whether the shape of the new district was constitutional

Question 4

Decisions of Shaw V. Reno and rationale using the correct part of the constitution

Answer 4

The Supreme Court role the new district was unconstitutional because of its odd shape and race was the only factor to drawing it under the equal protection clause in the 14th amendment

Question 5

Similarities of the two cases

Answer 5

Both under equal protection clause 14th amendment
Both deal with re-districting

Question 6

Differences between both cases

Answer 6

Baker V. Carr is about districts having equal population.
Shaw V. Reno is about redistricting based on race.