Judgment issued.

CIRCULATED

The record from the U.S.C.A. 11th Circuit is electronic and located on Pacer.

Record requested from the 11th Circuit.

This case is consolidated with No. 21-1086, and a total of one hour is allotted for oral argument. The question presented in these cases is: Whether the District Courts in these cases correctly found a violation of section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, 52 U. S. C. §10301.

Application (21A376) granted by the Court. The application is treated as a petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment (No. 21-1087). Respondents do not oppose treating the application as a petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment and do not oppose granting the petition (although they do oppose granting a stay). With that fact taken into account, the petition is granted. The district court's January 24, 2022 preliminary injunction in No. 2:21-cv-1536 is stayed pending further order of the Court. Justice Kavanaugh, with whom Justice Alito joins, concurring in grant of applications for stay. (Detached opinion). The Chief Justice dissenting from grant of applications for stay. (Detached opinion). Justice Kagan, with whom Justice Breyer and Justice Sotomayor join, dissenting from grant of applications for stays. (Detached opinion).

Application (21A376) referred to the Court.

Reply of applicants John Merrill, et al. filed.

Response to application from respondents Marcus Caster, et al. filed.

Motion for leave to file amicus curiae brief filed by The National Republican Redistricting Trust.

Application (21A376) for a stay or injunctive relief pending appeal, submitted to Justice Thomas.

Response to application (21A376) requested by Justice Thomas, due by noon on Wednesday, February 2, 2022.

Petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment filed. (Response due March 9, 2022)