Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP.
In Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, the Supreme Court addressed the right of North Carolina's legislative leaders to intervene in a case challenging a voter ID law. The Court considered whether the legislative leaders' interests were adequately represented by existing parties. The decision focused on the allocation of authority within the state and the representation of state interests in federal court.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP.
The Court held that North Carolina's legislative leaders are entitled to intervene in this litigation.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Standing is relevant to Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP
The case primarily deals with the right of North Carolina's legislative leaders to intervene in the litigation, which involves questions of who has the right to participate in a federal court case.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Held: North Carolina's legislative leaders are entitled to intervene in this litigation.
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Why State–Federal Power is relevant to Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP
The case involves the allocation of authority within the state government and the ability of state officials to represent state interests in federal court.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)States possess 'a legitimate interest in the continued enforce[ment] of [their] own statutes,' and States may organize themselves in a variety of ways.
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Why Voting Rights is relevant to Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP
The underlying issue involves a state law requiring voter identification, which implicates voting rights and access.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The NAACP alleged that S. B. 824 offends the Federal Constitution.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP that support the summary and concepts above.
North Carolina's legislative leaders are entitled to intervene in this litigation.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24(a)(2) provides that a 'court must permit anyone to intervene' who, (1) '[o]n timely motion,' (2) 'claims an interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action.'
This litigation illustrates how divided state governments sometimes warrant participation by multiple state officials in federal court.
