Supreme Court seems concerned over race in redistricting

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Washington • The Supreme Court seems concerned that race may have played too large a role in the drawing of electoral districts in Virginia, to the detriment of black voters.

Several justices hearing arguments in the case on Monday suggested a lower court failed to apply the correct standard when it upheld new boundaries for 12 state legislative districts.

The case is the first of two redistricting disputes the court was considering. In the second case, the state of North Carolina is challenging a lower court ruling that struck down two districts as unconstitutional because they relied too heavily on race.

The claim made by black voters in both states is that Republicans created districts with more black voters than necessary, making neighboring districts whiter and more solidly Republican.