United States Et Al. v. Mississippi; And Henry Et Al. v. Mississippi

Mr. Justice Marshall, with whom Mr. Justice Brennan and Mr. Justice White join,

dissenting.

For more than 15 years private litigants, often joined by the United States, have sought to obtain an apportionment *1053plan in Mississippi which satisfies the requirements of the Equal Protection Clause and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. By today’s summary affirmance, the Court assures that these efforts will remain to a substantial degree unsuccessful. I dissent.

I

Brought in 1965, this case has a procedural history that can charitably be described as bizarre. Both state officials and the three-judge…