515 U.S. 737 (1995)
United States v. Hays is a pivotal case in constitutional law, particularly in the context of electoral districting and racial gerrymandering.
Does a person have standing to challenge a racial gerrymander if they do not live in the district alleged to be gerrymandered based on race?
A plaintiff must demonstrate personal injury that is concrete, particularized, and actual or imminent to have standing in a racial gerrymandering case.
The Supreme Court held that individuals who do not reside in the district alleged to be racially gerrymandered do not have standing to challenge the districting, as they do not suffer a distinct and palpable injury.
Hays is significant as it reinforces strict standing requirements, limiting challenges to those directly experiencing the alleged unconstitutional act. For law students, it highlights the importance of understanding the threshold issue of standing before substantive claims can be litigated. It also demonstrates how voting rights challenges can be circumscribed by procedural doctrines.