Mahan v. Howell refers to a significant Supreme Court case concerning legislative redistricting in Virginia. The case revolved around a challenge to the state's redistricting plan, which had variations in district populations. The state justified these discrepancies by citing the need to adhere to existing county and city boundaries. In a 5-3 majority decision led by Justice William H. Rehnquist, the Court concluded that the "one person, one vote" principle established in Reynolds v. Sims allowed for more flexibility regarding population deviations in state legislative redistricting compared to congressional redistricting. This case was part of a broader trend in 1973, where the Court upheld greater variances in state legislative districts while maintaining stricter standards for congressional districts as outlined in Kirkpatrick v. Preisler. Dissenting opinions were expressed by Justices Brennan, Douglas, and Marshall, highlighting differing views on the balance between population equality and practical considerations in redistricting. Overall, Mahan v. Howell is a pivotal case in the ongoing discussion about the principles and practices of electoral districting in the United States.