City of Pleasant Grove v. United States

The Court today affirms the decision of the District Court, holding that a city can act with a purpose to “den[y] or abridg[e]” black voting rights, 42 U. S. C. § 1973c, even when the city’s actions can have no present effect on the voting rights of any black individual and any future effect on black voting rights is purely speculative. Because the Court’s finding of a violation of the Voting Rights Act is inconsistent with the language and purpose of the Act, I dissent.

*473I — I

Before examining the decision in this case, it is appropriate to restate the principles articulated in this Court’s…