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Supreme Court · Decisions

Whitcomb, Governor of Indiana v. Chavis et al.

403 U.S. 124 · No. 92 · 1970 term · Burger Court

Decided Jun 7, 1971 · argued Dec 8, 1970

Civil rights · Reapportionment: other than plans governed by the Voting Rights Act

Struck down a state law

Majority opinion: Byron White

The voteMajorityDissent

6–36 in the majority, 3 in dissent

3 dissents (6–3)

Reversed. Whitcomb, Governor of Indiana won.

What this ruling means

Reversed: the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the Indiana Southern U.S. District Court, and its own ruling ends the case.

Whitcomb, Governor of Indiana was the petitioner, the side that asked the Supreme Court to review the case. “Won” means the Court gave that side the result it asked for.

From the Supreme Court Database. A justice who agreed with the result but not the reasoning counts in the majority.

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Summary

The opening of the case’s Wikipedia article: what the case was about and what the Court held.

Wikipedia has no article on this case, so there is no summary.

Data notes

The text is Wikipedia’s (CC BY-SA 4.0), matched to the case by its citation, docket number or name and year, and is not checked against the opinion. The site keeps the article’s opening section, ending on its last full sentence. The one-sentence summary under the title is the Decisions list’s: Wikipedia’s own ruling sentence, or, tagged “AI-written”, one Claude wrote from this opening.

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How the justices voted

Each justice who took part, placed by their Martin–Quinn ideology score for the 1970 term. Filled: the 6 in the majority. Hollow: the 3 in dissent. Colour is the party of the president who appointed them.

More liberalMore conservativeMedianDouglasBrennanMarshallBlackWhiteStewartHarlanBlackmunBurger

Majority(6)

Dissent(3)

Data notes

Each justice’s vote and what they wrote are from the justice-centered file of the Supreme Court Database. “Wrote a concurrence” means the justice sided with the majority and wrote separately; a justice who dissented in part is counted on the side they took overall. A justice who wrote nothing is listed as joining their side.

Positions are each justice’s Martin–Quinn score for the case’s term, the same scores as the Ideology page: negative is more liberal, positive more conservative. A score sums up a justice’s votes across the whole term, so it says where they usually sit, not why they voted as they did here. The median line is the Court’s median justice that term.

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The parties

Who brought the case to the Court, who answered it, and how it got there.

Petitioner
Whitcomb, Governor of IndianaState (Indiana)
Respondent
Chavis et al.Racial or ethnic minority
Reached the Court by
Appeal (the Court was required to hear it)
Data notes

The names are the two sides of the case’s title. The description under each is the Supreme Court Database’s category for that party, in its own wording. The petitioner is the side that asked the Supreme Court to review the decision below. “Why it was taken” appears only when the majority opinion says lower courts disagreed or were unsure about the question; reasons that would fit any case (“to resolve the question presented”, “an important question”) are left out.

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The law at issue

The law the Court was asked to apply, and the kind of power it used to decide.

Provision
Fourteenth Amendment (equal protection)
Kind of law
Constitutional Amendment
Decided by
Judicial review (state level)
Struck down
A state law, as unconstitutional
Data notes

The Supreme Court Database codes the main constitutional provision, statute or court rule each case turned on, and the basis of the decision: judicial review of a federal or state law, interpreting a statute, supervising the lower courts, and so on. A case can rest on more than one. “Overruled” counts only where the majority opinion says so.

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Timeline

What happened at the Court and how the case got there, newest first.

  1. Jun 7, 1971DecidedDecided · Decided 6–3: reversed. Whitcomb, Governor of Indiana won.
  2. Dec 8, 1970ArguedArgued · Oral argument before the Court.
  3. Not datedTaken upTaken up · Reached the Supreme Court on appeal, which the Court had to hear.
  4. Not datedCourt belowCourt below · Began in and was decided by the Indiana Southern U.S. District Court.
Data notes

From the Supreme Court Database: the court the case began in, the court whose decision the Supreme Court reviewed and what that court did, how the case came to the Court, and the dates of argument and decision. The database does not date the steps in the lower courts. Court names are the database’s.

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Other decisions on the same issue

56 other argued cases since 1946 on reapportionment: other than plans governed by the Voting Rights Act, newest first.

  1. Moore v. Harper600 U.S. 1Jun 27, 2023 · 600 U.S. 1Civil rights6–36–3 band

  2. Cooper v. Harris137 S. Ct. 1455May 22, 2017 · 137 S. Ct. 1455Civil rights8–0Unanimous band

  3. Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission576 U.S. 787Jun 29, 2015 · 576 U.S. 787Civil rights5–45–4 band

  4. Ala. Legislative Black Caucus v. Alabama575 U.S. 254Mar 25, 2015 · 575 U.S. 254Civil rights5–45–4 band

  5. Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, et al., Appellants v. Shannon Perez et al.565 U.S. 388Jan 20, 2012 · 565 U.S. 388Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  6. Utah, et al. v. Donald L. Evans, Secretary of Commerce, et al.536 U.S. 452Jun 20, 2002 · 536 U.S. 452Civil rights5–45–4 band

  7. Michael F. Easley, * Governor of North Carolina, et al. v. Martin Cromartie, et al.532 U.S. 234Apr 18, 2001 · 532 U.S. 234Civil rights5–45–4 band
  8. James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor of North Carolina, et al. v. Martin Cromartie et al.526 U.S. 541May 17, 1999 · 526 U.S. 541Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  9. C. Martin Lawyer, III v. Department of Justice et al.521 U.S. 567Jun 25, 1997 · 521 U.S. 567Civil rights5–45–4 band
  10. George W. Bush, Governor of Texas, et al. v. al Vera et al.517 U.S. 952Jun 13, 1996 · 517 U.S. 952Civil rights5–45–4 band

  11. Ruth O. Shaw, et al. v. James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor of North Carolina, et al.517 U.S. 899Jun 13, 1996 · 517 U.S. 899Civil rights5–45–4 band

  12. Wisconsin v. City of New York et al.517 U.S. 1Mar 20, 1996 · 517 U.S. 1Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  13. Zell Miller, et al. v. Davida Johnson et al.515 U.S. 900Jun 29, 1995 · 515 U.S. 900Civil rights5–45–4 band

  14. Ruth O. Shaw, et al. v. Janet Reno, Attorney General, et al.Landmark · Voting and redistricting509 U.S. 630Jun 28, 1993 · 509 U.S. 630Civil rights5–45–4 band

  15. George Voinovich, Governor of Ohio, et al. v. Barney Quilter, Speaker Pro Tempore of Ohio House of Representatives, et al.507 U.S. 146Feb 24, 1993 · 507 U.S. 146Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  16. United States Department of Commerce, et al. v. Montana, et al.503 U.S. 442Mar 31, 1992 · 503 U.S. 442Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  17. Quinn et al. v. Millsap et al.491 U.S. 95Jun 15, 1989 · 491 U.S. 95Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  18. Board of Estimate of City of New York et al. v. Morris et al.489 U.S. 688Mar 22, 1989 · 489 U.S. 688Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  19. Davis et al. v. Bandemer et al.478 U.S. 109Jun 30, 1986 · 478 U.S. 109Civil rights6–36–3 band

  20. Brown et al. v. Thomson, Secretary of State of Wyoming, et al.462 U.S. 835Jun 22, 1983 · 462 U.S. 835Civil rights5–45–4 band
  21. Karcher, Speaker, New Jersey Assembly, et al. v. Daggett et al.462 U.S. 725Jun 22, 1983 · 462 U.S. 725Civil rights5–45–4 band
  22. Ball et al. v. James et al.451 U.S. 355Apr 29, 1981 · 451 U.S. 355Civil rights5–45–4 band
  23. Wise, Mayor of Dallas, et al. v. Lipscomb et al.437 U.S. 535Jun 22, 1978 · 437 U.S. 535Civil rights6–36–3 band
  24. Connor et al. v. Finch, Governor of Mississippi, et al.431 U.S. 407May 31, 1977 · 431 U.S. 407Civil rights7–18–1 band
  25. Town of Lockport, New York, et al. v. Citizens for Community Action at the Local Level, Inc., et al.430 U.S. 259Mar 7, 1977 · 430 U.S. 259Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  26. United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburgh, Inc., et al. v. Carey, Governor of New York, et al.430 U.S. 144Mar 1, 1977 · 430 U.S. 144Civil rights7–18–1 band
  27. East Carroll Parish School Board et al. v. Marshall424 U.S. 636Mar 8, 1976 · 424 U.S. 636Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  28. White, Secretary of State of Texas, et al. v. Regester et al.422 U.S. 935Jun 30, 1975 · 422 U.S. 935Civil rights8–0Unanimous band
  29. Chapman et al. v. Meier, Secretary of State of North Dakota420 U.S. 1Jan 27, 1975 · 420 U.S. 1Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  30. White, Secretary of State of Texas v. Weiser et al.412 U.S. 783Jun 18, 1973 · 412 U.S. 783Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  31. White, Secretary of State of Texas, et al. v. Regester et al.412 U.S. 755Jun 18, 1973 · 412 U.S. 755Civil rights6–36–3 band
  32. Gaffney v. Cummings et al.412 U.S. 735Jun 18, 1973 · 412 U.S. 735Civil rights6–36–3 band

  33. Associated Enterprises, Inc., et al. v. Toltec Watershed Improvement District410 U.S. 743Mar 20, 1973 · 410 U.S. 743Civil rights6–36–3 band
  34. Salyer Land Co. et al. v. Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District410 U.S. 719Mar 20, 1973 · 410 U.S. 719Civil rights6–36–3 band
  35. Mahan, Secretary, State Board of Elections, et al. v. Howell et al.410 U.S. 315Feb 21, 1973 · 410 U.S. 315Civil rights5–36–3 band
  36. Abate et al. v. Mundt et al.403 U.S. 182Jun 7, 1971 · 403 U.S. 182Civil rights7–27–2 band
  37. Ely v. Klahr et al.403 U.S. 108Jun 7, 1971 · 403 U.S. 108Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  38. Wells v. Rockefeller, Governor of New York, et al.394 U.S. 542Apr 7, 1969 · 394 U.S. 542Civil rights6–36–3 band
  39. Kirkpatrick, Secretary of State of Missouri, et al. v. Preisler et al.394 U.S. 526Apr 7, 1969 · 394 U.S. 526Civil rights6–36–3 band
  40. Avery v. Midland County et al.Landmark · Voting and redistricting390 U.S. 474Apr 1, 1968 · 390 U.S. 474Civil rights5–36–3 band

  41. Dusch et al. v. Davis et al.387 U.S. 112May 22, 1967 · 387 U.S. 112Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  42. Sailors et al. v. Board of Education of the County of Kent et al.387 U.S. 105May 22, 1967 · 387 U.S. 105Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  43. Swann et al. v. Adams, Secretary of State of Florida, et al.385 U.S. 440Jan 9, 1967 · 385 U.S. 440Civil rights7–27–2 band
  44. Fortson, Secretary of State of Georgia v. Morris et al.385 U.S. 231Dec 12, 1966 · 385 U.S. 231Civil rights5–45–4 band
  45. Burns, Governor of Hawaii v. Richardson et al.384 U.S. 73Apr 25, 1966 · 384 U.S. 73Civil rights8–0Unanimous band
  46. Fortson, Secretary of State of Georgia v. Dorsey et al.379 U.S. 433Jan 18, 1965 · 379 U.S. 433Civil rights8–18–1 band
  47. Lucas et al. v. Forty-Fourth General Assembly of Colorado et al.377 U.S. 713Jun 15, 1964 · 377 U.S. 713Civil rights6–36–3 band
  48. Roman, Clerk of the Peace, et al. v. Sincock et al.377 U.S. 695Jun 15, 1964 · 377 U.S. 695Civil rights8–18–1 band
  49. Davis, Secretary, State Board of Elections, et al. v. Mann et al.377 U.S. 678Jun 15, 1964 · 377 U.S. 678Civil rights8–18–1 band

  50. Maryland Committee for Fair Representation et al. v. Tawes, Governor of Maryland, et al.377 U.S. 656Jun 15, 1964 · 377 U.S. 656Civil rights7–27–2 band
  51. Wmca, Inc., et al. v. Lomenzo, Secretary of State of New York, et al.377 U.S. 633Jun 15, 1964 · 377 U.S. 633Civil rights6–36–3 band
  52. Reynolds, Judge, et al. v. Sims et al.Landmark · Voting and redistricting377 U.S. 533Jun 15, 1964 · 377 U.S. 533Civil rights8–18–1 band

  53. Wright et al. v. Rockefeller, Governor of New York, et al.376 U.S. 52Feb 17, 1964 · 376 U.S. 52Civil rights7–27–2 band

  54. Wesberry et al. v. Sanders, Governor of Georgia, et al.Landmark · Voting and redistricting376 U.S. 1Feb 17, 1964 · 376 U.S. 1Civil rights6–36–3 band

  55. Gray, Chairman of the Georgia State Democratic Executive Committee, et al. v. SandersLandmark · Voting and redistricting372 U.S. 368Mar 18, 1963 · 372 U.S. 368Civil rights8–18–1 band
  56. Baker et al. v. Carr et al.Landmark · Voting and redistricting369 U.S. 186Mar 26, 1962 · 369 U.S. 186Civil rights6–27–2 band

Data notes

Every other orally argued case with a clear vote, from the 1946 term on, that the Supreme Court Database files under the same issue as this one. The database gives each case one issue from a list of about 270 (abortion, search and seizure of vehicles, the death penalty, and so on), whatever law it turned on.

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Official record

Read the full opinion on Justia and the argument audio on Oyez. Case data from the Supreme Court Database, Version 2026 Release 01, through the 2025 term.