On December 8, the U.S. Supreme Court put out its first full election law decision of the current term. Here is the decision in Shapiro v McManus, 14-990. It is unanimous. The case had been argued November 4.
The plaintiffs had filed a lawsuit against Maryland’s U.S. House redistricting, arguing that it represented a severe gerrymander by Democrats and was thus unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Federal law says challenges to redistricting deserve a 3-judge U.S. District Court, unless the case is wholly unsubstantial. The U.S. District Court single judge had ruled that the Shapiro case is too insubstantial to merit a 3-judge court. The Fourth Circuit then agreed with the single judge in the U.S. District Court.
The U.S. Supreme Court reversed both of the lower courts, and said the case does deserve a 3-judge court. Now the U.S. District Court in Maryland will be required to convene a 3-judge court to hear the case.
General Docket
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Docket #: 15-3775Docketed: 12/07/2015
In re Natl. Born Citizen, etc
Appeal From: Not in 8th Circuit
Fee Status: paid – cs
Case Type Information:
1) Original Proceeding
2) Mandamus
3) null
Originating Court Information:
District: NIC-0 :
Date Rec’d COA:
12/02/2015
12/07/2015 ORIGINAL PROCEEDING case docketed. [4343516] [15-3775] (DMW)
12/07/2015Open DocumentPETITION for Writ of Mandamus, filed by Petitioner Natural Born Citizen Party National Committee; (Rec’d by MAIL) w/service by USCA8 on 12/07/2015 [4343526] [15-3775] (DMW)
12/07/2015Open DocumentMOTION to consolidate before judgment, filed by Petitioner Natural Born Citizen Party National Committee, et al; w/service by USCA8 on 12/07/2015. [4343535] [15-3775] (DMW)
Aka undocumented illegal alien CINC POTUS ineligible to nominate or appoint census and redistricting related federal officials