What case established the principle of one-person one-vote in state legislative districts?

Prepare for the UT Texas Government Only Credit Exam with quizzes, flashcards, and multiple choice questions. Each includes hints and explanations to get you ready for your test!

The principle of one-person, one-vote was established by the case of Reynolds v. Sims in 1964. This landmark Supreme Court ruling emphasized that the state legislative districts must be roughly equal in population, ensuring that each person’s vote carries equal weight. This decision arose from concerns regarding the disproportionate representation in some states where legislative districts had significant population disparities. By mandating population equality among districts, the ruling reinforced the fundamental democratic principle that all citizens should have an equal opportunity to participate in their government, thus addressing issues of fairness and equity in electoral representation.

In contrast, the other cases mentioned focus on different aspects of law and governance. Bush v. Gore dealt with election processes and the vote count in the 2000 presidential election, while Brown v. Board of Education addressed racial segregation in public schools. Citizens United v. FEC focused on campaign finance and the rights of corporations in political speech. Each of these cases plays an important role in legal history but does not pertain to the principle of equal representation in legislative districts.

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