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Supreme Court · Decisions

Shelby County v. Holder

In a challenge to provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Court ruled that the Section 4(b) coverage formula was unconstitutional because it relied on data over 40 years old, though it did not strike down Section 5.· AI-written

570 U.S. 529 · No. 12-96 · 2012 term · Roberts Court

Decided Jun 25, 2013 · argued Feb 27, 2013

Civil rights · Voting Rights Act of 1965, plus amendments

Landmark · Power of Congress to enforce civil rightsStruck down an act of Congress

Majority opinion: John Roberts

The voteMajorityDissent

5–45 in the majority, 4 in dissent

4 dissents (5–4)

Reversed. Shelby County won.

What this ruling means

Reversed: the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, and its own ruling ends the case.

Shelby County 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.

Shelby County v. Holder, 570 U.S. 529 (2013), is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States regarding the constitutionality of two provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965: Section 5, which requires certain states and local governments to obtain federal preclearance before implementing any changes to their voting laws or practices; and subsection (b) of Section 4, which contains the coverage formula that determines which jurisdictions are subject to preclearance based on their histories of racial discrimination in voting.

Read the full article on Wikipedia

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 2012 term. Filled: the 5 in the majority. Hollow: the 4 in dissent. Colour is the party of the president who appointed them.

More liberalMore conservativeMedianGinsburgSotomayorKaganBreyerKennedyJ. RobertsScaliaAlitoThomas

Majority(5)

Dissent(4)

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
Shelby CountyCounty government or county governmental unit, except school district (Alabama)
Respondent
HolderDepartment of Justice or Attorney General
Reached the Court by
Certiorari (the Court chose 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
Voting Rights Act of 1965, plus amendments
Kind of law
Federal Statute
Decided by
Statutory construction; Judicial review (state level)
Struck down
An act of Congress, 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 25, 2013DecidedDecided · Decided 5–4: reversed. Shelby County won.
  2. Feb 27, 2013ArguedArgued · Oral argument before the Court.
  3. Not datedTaken upTaken up · The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case (certiorari).
  4. Not datedCourt belowCourt below · Decided by the U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit: affirmed, with a dissent.
  5. Not datedBeganBegan · The case began in the District Of Columbia 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

45 other argued cases since 1946 on voting Rights Act of 1965, plus amendments, newest first.

  1. Louisiana v. CallaisLandmark · Voting and redistricting146 S. Ct. 1131Apr 29, 2026 · 146 S. Ct. 1131Civil rights6–36–3 band

  2. Allen v. Milligan599 U.S. 1Jun 8, 2023 · 599 U.S. 1Civil rights5–45–4 band

  3. Brnovich v. Democratic National CommitteeLandmark · Voting and redistricting141 S. Ct. 2321Jul 1, 2021 · 141 S. Ct. 2321Civil rights6–36–3 band

  4. Abbott v. Perez138 S. Ct. 2305Jun 25, 2018 · 138 S. Ct. 2305Civil rights5–45–4 band

  5. Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District Number One v. Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General, et al.557 U.S. 193Jun 22, 2009 · 557 U.S. 193Civil rights8–18–1 band

  6. Gary Bartlett, Executive Director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections et al. v. Dwight Strickland et al.556 U.S. 1Mar 9, 2009 · 556 U.S. 1Civil rights5–45–4 band

  7. Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama v. Yvonne Kennedy et al553 U.S. 406May 27, 2008 · 553 U.S. 406Civil rights7–27–2 band

  8. League of United Latin American Citizens, et al. v. Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, et al.548 U.S. 399Jun 28, 2006 · 548 U.S. 399Civil rights5–45–4 band

  9. Georgia v. John Ashcroft, Attorney General, et al.539 U.S. 461Jun 26, 2003 · 539 U.S. 461Civil rights5–45–4 band

  10. Beatrice Branch, et al. v. John Robert Smith et al.538 U.S. 254Mar 31, 2003 · 538 U.S. 254Civil rights7–27–2 band
  11. Janet Reno, Attorney General v. Bossier Parish School Board528 U.S. 320Jan 24, 2000 · 528 U.S. 320Civil rights5–45–4 band
  12. Vicky M. Lopez, et al. v. Monterey County et al.525 U.S. 266Jan 20, 1999 · 525 U.S. 266Civil rights8–18–1 band
  13. Lucious Abrams, Jr., G. L. Avery, William Gary Chambers, Sr., and Karen Watson v. Davida Johnson et al.521 U.S. 74Jun 19, 1997 · 521 U.S. 74Civil rights5–45–4 band
  14. Janet Reno, Attorney General v. Bossier Parish School Board et al.520 U.S. 471May 12, 1997 · 520 U.S. 471Civil rights7–27–2 band
  15. Thomas Young, et al. v. Kirk Fordice et al.520 U.S. 273Mar 31, 1997 · 520 U.S. 273Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  16. Vicky M. Lopez, et al. v. Monterey County, California, et al.519 U.S. 9Nov 6, 1996 · 519 U.S. 9Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  17. Fortis Morse, Kenneth Curtis Bartholomew and Kimberly J. Enderson v. Republican Party of Virginia et al.517 U.S. 186Mar 27, 1996 · 517 U.S. 186Civil rights5–45–4 band
  18. Bolley Johnson, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, et al. v. Miguel de Grandy et al.512 U.S. 997Jun 30, 1994 · 512 U.S. 997Civil rights7–27–2 band
  19. Jackie Holder, etc., et al. v. E. K. Hall, Sr., et al.512 U.S. 874Jun 30, 1994 · 512 U.S. 874Civil rights5–45–4 band
  20. Lawrence C. Presley, etc. v. Etowah County Commission et al.502 U.S. 491Jan 27, 1992 · 502 U.S. 491Civil rights6–36–3 band
  21. Houston Lawyers' Association, et al. v. Attorney General of Texas, et al.501 U.S. 419Jun 20, 1991 · 501 U.S. 419Civil rights6–36–3 band
  22. Ronald Chisom, et al. v. Charles E. Roemer, Governor of Louisiana, et al.501 U.S. 380Jun 20, 1991 · 501 U.S. 380Civil rights6–36–3 band
  23. Janice G. Clark et al. v. Charles 'Buddy' Roemer, Governor of Louisiana, et al.500 U.S. 646Jun 3, 1991 · 500 U.S. 646Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  24. City of Pleasant Grove v. United States479 U.S. 462Jan 21, 1987 · 479 U.S. 462Civil rights6–36–3 band
  25. Thornburg, Attorney General of North Carolina, et al. v. Gingles et al.478 U.S. 30Jun 30, 1986 · 478 U.S. 30Civil rights9–0Unanimous band

  26. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People et al. v. Hampton County Election Commission et al.470 U.S. 166Feb 27, 1985 · 470 U.S. 166Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  27. McCain et al. v. Lybrand et al.465 U.S. 236Feb 21, 1984 · 465 U.S. 236Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  28. City of Lockhart v. United States et al.460 U.S. 125Feb 23, 1983 · 460 U.S. 125Civil rights6–36–3 band
  29. City of Port Arthur, Texas v. United States et al.459 U.S. 159Dec 13, 1982 · 459 U.S. 159Civil rights6–36–3 band
  30. Hathorn et al. v. Lovorn et al.457 U.S. 255Jun 15, 1982 · 457 U.S. 255Civil rights8–18–1 band
  31. McDaniel et al. v. Sanchez et al.452 U.S. 130Jun 1, 1981 · 452 U.S. 130Civil rights7–27–2 band
  32. City of Rome et al. v. United States et al.446 U.S. 156Apr 22, 1980 · 446 U.S. 156Civil rights6–36–3 band

  33. Dougherty County, Georgia, Board of Education et al. v. White439 U.S. 32Nov 28, 1978 · 439 U.S. 32Civil rights5–45–4 band
  34. United States v. Board of Commissioners of Sheffield, Alabama, et al.435 U.S. 110Mar 6, 1978 · 435 U.S. 110Civil rights6–36–3 band
  35. Morris et al. v. Gressette, President Pro Tem, South Carolina Senate, et al.432 U.S. 491Jun 20, 1977 · 432 U.S. 491Civil rights6–36–3 band
  36. Briscoe, Governor of Texas, et al. v. Bell, Attorney General, et al.432 U.S. 404Jun 20, 1977 · 432 U.S. 404Civil rights9–0Unanimous band
  37. Beer et al. v. United States et al.425 U.S. 130Mar 30, 1976 · 425 U.S. 130Civil rights5–36–3 band
  38. City of Richmond, Virginia v. United States et al.422 U.S. 358Jun 24, 1975 · 422 U.S. 358Civil rights5–36–3 band

  39. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, New York City Region of New York Conference of Branches, et al. v. New York et al.413 U.S. 345Jun 21, 1973 · 413 U.S. 345Civil rights6–27–2 band
  40. Georgia et al. v. United States411 U.S. 526May 7, 1973 · 411 U.S. 526Civil rights6–36–3 band
  41. Perkins et al. v. Matthews, Mayor of the City of Canton, et al.400 U.S. 379Jan 14, 1971 · 400 U.S. 379Civil rights8–18–1 band
  42. Gaston County, North Carolina v. United States395 U.S. 285Jun 2, 1969 · 395 U.S. 285Civil rights7–18–1 band
  43. Hadnott et al. v. Amos, Secretary of State of Alabama, et al.394 U.S. 358Mar 25, 1969 · 394 U.S. 358Civil rights6–27–2 band
  44. Katzenbach, Attorney General, et al. v. Morgan et ux.Landmark · Power of Congress to enforce civil rights384 U.S. 641Jun 13, 1966 · 384 U.S. 641Civil rights7–27–2 band
  45. South Carolina v. Katzenbach, Attorney GeneralLandmark · Power of Congress to enforce civil rights383 U.S. 301Mar 7, 1966 · 383 U.S. 301Civil rights8–18–1 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, the argument audio on Oyez and Wikipedia. Case data from the Supreme Court Database, Version 2026 Release 01, through the 2025 term.