Question 15

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Baker v. Carr established the principle of 'one person, one vote' by addressing the issue of legislative apportionment and ensuring that districts are drawn fairly, thereby providing equal representation to all citizens in electoral processes.

A) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Marbury v. Madison is primarily known for establishing the principle of judicial review, not for issues related to legislative apportionment or voting rights. This case focused on the powers of the Supreme Court and does not relate to the concept of 'one person, one vote.'

B) Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Brown v. Board of Education addressed racial segregation in public schools and declared it unconstitutional. While it was a landmark case in civil rights, it did not deal with legislative apportionment or the principle of 'one person, one vote.'

C) Baker v. Carr (1962)

Baker v. Carr is the landmark case that directly established the 'one person, one vote' principle by ruling that redistricting issues were justiciable and that legislative districts must be approximately equal in population, ensuring fair representation.

D) Roe v. Wade (1973)

Roe v. Wade is known for its ruling on abortion rights and the right to privacy. It does not pertain to legislative apportionment or the concept of 'one person, one vote,' focusing instead on personal liberties.

E) Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Gideon v. Wainwright established the right to counsel for defendants in criminal cases. Although significant for ensuring fair trials, it does not relate to the principles of voting or legislative representation.

Conclusion

Baker v. Carr is definitively the correct answer as it directly addressed and established the 'one person, one vote' principle, ensuring that all citizens have equal weight in legislative representation. The other options, while important in their own rights, fail to relate to the specific issue of legislative apportionment and voting equality.