Posted by TheHill.com, May 22nd, 2017.
In a 5-3 ruling, the justices affirmed that North Carolina packed black voters into the 1st and 12th districts, and used race as the predominant factor when drawing district lines. Both districts were represented by democrats, but in a rare and surprising move traditionally conservative Justice Clarence Thomas sided with the courts more liberal members as well. For Justice Clarence Thomas this decision is a dramatic departure as his judicial record suggests that he has believed in formal colorblindness. In a time where the GOP seems to control almost every aspect of American politics, it’s refreshing to see a conservative judge side with ‘the liberals’ for once.