Here, on first review of the opinion, the terms “ability to elect” or “retrogression” aren’t exactly what the State of Texas, the Department of Justice or the intervenors thought or hoped it meant.  After Bartlett, the Supreme Court should be interested in weighing in on the D.C. panel’s analysis on coalition districts or populations.  This makes redistricting under Section 5 and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act as complicated as brain surgery blindfolded.