Baker v. Carr

Definition

Baker v. Carr was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1962 that decided federal courts have jurisdiction to hear constitutional challenges to state apportionment laws (how states distribute their legislative seats).

Related terms

One Person One Vote Principle: A principle established by decisions like Baker v. Carr, stating that all citizens' votes should have equal weight.

Reynolds v. Sims: A 1964 Supreme Court case that further established the "one person, one vote" principle by ruling state senate districts must be roughly equal in population.

Justiciable: Refers to matters that are appropriate for court review. Baker v. Carr determined apportionment issues were justiciable.