Compelling Interest

Definition

Under strict scrutiny, the government must show that its use of a racial classification serves a goal of the highest order. In redistricting, the Court has assumed without deciding that compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is such an interest, but this case asks the Court to finally resolve that question.

Examples

• •Louisiana argued that a Section 2 finding based on effects rather than intentional discrimination cannot constitute a compelling interest for race-based redistricting.

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