Correspondence from Pamela Karlan to Gilbert Ganucheau (Clerk) Re: Chisom v. Edwards
Public Court Documents
November 12, 1987
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Legal Department General, Lani Guinier Correspondence. Correspondence from Pamela Karlan to Gilbert Ganucheau (Clerk) Re: Chisom v. Edwards, 1987. a00c6939-eb92-ee11-be37-6045bdeb8873. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/87124893-70d0-4d28-b80d-dd31d2035500/correspondence-from-pamela-karlan-to-gilbert-ganucheau-clerk-re-chisom-v-edwards. Accessed October 09, 2025.
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November L2, L987
Hon. Gilbert
Clerk
F. Ganucheau
United States Court of Appeals
for the Fifth Circuit
600 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Re: No. 87-3463, Chisom v. Edwards
Dear Mr. Ganucheau:
I represent appellants in this case. I am writing pursuant
to F.R.A.P. 28(j). fn appellants, brief , dt pages 7-B and 22-23,
we argue that the nature of the judicial function is irrelevant
to the questlon whether section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of
1955r ds amended, 42 U.S.C. S 1973, applies to the election ofjudges. Last week, in Dillard v. Crenshaw County, Alabama, No.
86-7799 (l1th Cir. Nov. 2, L987), the Court of Appeals for the
Eleventh Circuit held:
ttNowhere in the langruage of Section 2 nor in the
legislative history does Congress condition the
appticability of S6ction 2 oi ttre function performed by
an elected official. The language is only and
uncompronisingly premised on the fact of election....
Once a post is open to the electorate, and if it is
shown that the context of that election creates a
discrimi.natory but corrigible election practice, it
must be open in a way that allows racial groups to
participate equally.
SIip op. at 358 (footnote onitted).
I have enclosed Eix copies of the opinion for the Courtrs
convenience, and have provided copies to opposing counsel as
weII.
,ffi-b;,G,tq*
Counsel for Plaintiffs-
Appellants
cc: A11 counsel
NINETY NINE HUDSON STREET, 16th FLOOR (212) 219-1900 NEW YORK, N.Y. 10013