Abstract
Lawyers regularly joke about their supposed inability to address mathematical issues. However, mathematical concepts are sometimes at the core of a legal dispute, and lawyers do a disservice to their clients if they are not able to engage in effective advocacy in these contexts. This Article discusses Gill v. Whitford, a gerrymandering dispute involving an important mathematical idea— the core statistical concept of regression analysis, particularly multivariable regression analysis—which Chief Justice Roberts referred to in Whitford as “sociological gobbledygook.” In fact, the mathematical analysis has crucial implications and connections to the legal issues. This Article explains the statistics behind that analysis, connects them to the issues before the Court, and demonstrates that these concepts are employed in many types of litigation. The Article concludes that, even facing a skeptical court, lawyers who can understand and explain mathematical concepts in a way that resonates fully with the legal issues are best positioned to advocate for their clients. With new census results released in late 2021 and the opportunities for redistricting that will subsequently arise, mathematical understanding in the context of gerrymandering litigation is more critical than ever.
Recommended Citation
Robin L. Juni,
When the Math Matters: Improving Statistical Advocacy in Gerrymandering Litigation,
100 Neb. L. Rev.
(2021)
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nlr/vol100/iss3/5