washington supreme court justices monday signal likely leave place lower-court rule virginia republican-led legislature unlawfully consider race draw u.s. congressional district pack black voters one court hear oral arguments case time democrats accuse republicans various state take action reduce influence black hispanic voters often favor democrats focus case composition majority-black u.s. house representatives district hold democrat bobby scott black member virginia congressional delegation eight justices one follow feb. 13 death conservative antonin scalia hear appeal current former republican house members challenge june 2015 low court rule throw district follow rule black voters scott district move adjoin district currently represent white republican randy forbes one challengers case likely make district possible democratic pickup nov. election without scalia court could split 4-4 four liberals one side four conservatives would leave intact lower-court decision none court liberals indicate likely back republican challengers court may even decide merit case justices could instead rule house members adjoin district legal stand challenge new boundary line imperil re-election prospect justices signal hostility idea elect house members receive legal protection ability win re-election put doubt incumbency-protection stand rule liberal sonia sotomayor say challengers legal argument liberal elena kagan say even lawmakers suffer injury question remain whether legally recognize interest re-election prospect several voters scott district challenge redistricting plan approve republican-led legislature 2012 say minimize minority vote power violation federal vote right act u.s. constitution guarantee equal protection law voters bring case 2013 argue district scott represent stretch richmond norfolk racially gerrymander cram black voters reduce black influence neighbor district rule due end june case wittman v. personhuballah u.s. supreme court 14-1504. justices hostile virginia republicans black voters case