Federal courts also have challenged the constitutionality of such redistricting. In 1995 the Supreme Court struck down a black-majority district in Georgia, represented by Democrat Cynthia McKinney, which stretched across 250 miles in 22 counties. In 1996 the Supreme Court struck down redistricting plans in Texas and North Carolina that would have benefited black and Hispanic voters. The decisions made it more difficult to consider race and ethnicity when setting boundaries for election districts. How Voters Decide Print section Many Americans identify personally with and maintain a sense of loyalty to either the Democratic or Republican Party.
Voters often acquire partisan identification in childhood as a result of parental influence.
Issues and policy preferences also influence voters' choices. For example, concerns about crime may encourage voters to elect the candidate with the strongest platform against it. In addition, candidate characteristics influence voters. Perceptions of honesty, morality, and the ability to lead matter to most voters. Many voters also prefer candidates who share their own racial, religious, or ethnic background.