No. 21-248October Term 2021Decided Jun 23, 2022Updated May 24, 2026
Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP
This case arose after the North Carolina NAACP challenged the state’s voter-ID law, and the leaders of the state legislature asked to join the case to help defend the law.
Case status
Decided 8-1 · June 23, 2022 · Opinion by Justice Gorsuch
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Jun 23, 2022
- What it's about
This case arose after the North Carolina NAACP challenged the state’s voter-ID law, and the leaders of the state legislature asked to join the case to help defend the law. The Supreme Court considered whether those legislative leaders, who were authorized by state law to represent the State’s interests, had a right to intervene even though other state officials were already defending the law.
Question presented
1. Whether a state agent authorized by state law to defend the State's interest in litigation must overcome a presumption of adequate representation to intervene as of right in a case in which a state official is a defendant. 2. Whether a district court's determination of adequate representation in ruling on a motion to intervene as of right is reviewed de novo or for abuse of discretion. 3. Whether Petitioners are entitled to intervene as of right in this litigation.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit / Decision released Jun 23, 2022
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided June 23, 2022
The Court released its decision on June 23, 2022 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity3
Brief added: Questions Presented
May 24, 2026 | Court records
Opinion added: opinion
Jun 23, 2022 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Aug 19, 2021 | Court records
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology