Document: 406 U.S. 187 92 S.Ct. 1477 32 L.Ed.2d 1 SIXTY-SEVENTH MINNESOTA STATE SENATEv.Richard A. BEENS et al. Nos. 71—1024, 71—1145. April 29, 1972. PER CURIAM. These two appeals are taken by the Minnesota State Senate from orders of a three-judge Federal District Court, Beens v. Erdahl, 336 F.Supp. 715, reapportioning Legislature. The do not challenge Court's conclusion that legislature is now malapportioned. And at this point they concerned with population variances or other issues type customarily presented in reapportionment litigation. controversy focuses, instead, on (a) refusal to honor statute fixing number State's legislative districts 67 and (b) court's proceeding, over initial opposition all parties (but upon suggestion amici, Lieutenant Governor representative), reduce 35, senators almost 50%, representatives nearly 25%. We conclude Court erred its rulings. Accordingly, we summarily vacate remand cases for further proceedings promptly be pursued. 2 * Bicameral Legislature was last effectively apportioned 1966. Ex.Sess.Laws 1966, c. 1.1 Section 2.021 Minn.Stat. (1969), very first section 1966 Act, states that, 'until new apportionment shall have been made,' senate consist members house 135 members.2 2.031, subd. 1, second prescribes both house.3 Sections 2.041 2.711, inclusive, then delineate these districts.4 Constitution, Art. IV, § 2, provides legislator-population minimum ratio (one senator every 5,000 inhabitants one representative 2,000 inhabitants) states, 'The representation houses equally throughout different sections State, proportion thereof.' 3 1970 federal census took place due course. did produce act during regular session 1971. One passed October 1971, reconvening an extra called year. lawmakers adjourned sine die 30. Governor, however, vetoed November 1971 endeavor failed become law.5 has another more work reapportionment,6 it scheduled meet again until January 1973. Minn.Const., 1; 3.01 (1969). 1972 primary general elections will take interim. §§ 202.02 203.02 Thus, remains as effective apportionment. II 4 original plaintiffs, who among appellees here, three qualified voters State. By their complaint, filed asserting jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1343(3) (4) 42 1983 1988, sought declaratory judgment Act apportioning violates Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment, injunction restraining Secretary county auditors conducting future legislators pursuant (c) court itself. convened. appellant, Sixty-seventh Senate, intervened party defendant Fed.Rules Civ.Proc. 24(a). 5 after hearings assistance stipulations, issued significant orders: 6 On 15, made appropriate findings, challenged here basic provisions, declared entirety, 2.712 violative enjoined appointed Special Masters (a third named later) aid formulating plan. See 718 719. 7 B. December found 'that best can fulfill duty accordance Constitution United States regard policy' dividing into 35 senatorial each district districts, ordered parties, intervenors, amici could present plans accordingly. In accompanying memorandum said, only serious questions . whether authority change size Legislature; if so, what extent.' It answered affirmative, quoting following sentence Swann Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board Education, 402 91 1267, 554 (1971): 8 'Once right violation shown, scope equitable powers remedy past wrongs broad, breadth flexibility inherent remedies.' U.S., S.Ct., 1276. 9 stated without violating either Constitution; existing practice others cannot continued requirements equal protection; greater district, closely man, vote standard met still give effect state policy adhering boundaries political subdivisions; respect legislature's 'is difficult discern'; had recommended reduction size; there merit having odd-numbered where, Minnesota, 'two strong rather evenly divided parties'; constitutional harmonized districts; persuasive arguments 'positive benefits accrue substantially reducing moderately House'; 'it our desire fix House Minnesota,' legislature, wishes, may appropriately reapportion. 720—721. 10 C. 25, 1972, entered 'Final Order Plan Apportionment' which adopted plan therein described. also modified 15 so enjoin secretary any than 'or date Minnesota.' accord 24, positions were ordered. 732. 11 senate, intervenor, appealed 3, (case No. 71—1024), order 71—1145). Both 1253. denied senate's motion expedite appeals, but granted consolidate them. 405 985, 1256, 31 451 (1972). application temporary stay pending Court. 905, 1608, 1612, 815 III 12 moved dismiss. Two grounds asserted: 13 That lacks standing prosecute appeals. said authorizing resolution does entitle counsel appeals; relates bound-aries number; Office Counsel speaks certain whole; just legal entity purposes standing. 14 resolution, broad terms: 'BE IT RESOLVED, hereby authorized directed such steps necessary represent interests body extent deemed actions involving prescription bounds those orderly process therefrom ..' Journal 39th Day, p. 460. 16 July 31, 56-to-0 vote. A reconsider half months later 33—31. Id., 40th day, 492. 17 inclined read restrictively, suggest. Certainly action concerns 'and therefrom.' certainly directly affected orders. purpose intervention and, consequence, appeal case kind settled affirmance Silver Jordan, 241 576 (S.D.Cal.1964), aff'd, 381 415, 85 1572, 689 (1965), where said: 18 California Senate's intervene interested because would decree court.' F.Supp., 579. 19 group thus intervene. concurrence enact legislation. 20 granting denying injunctive relief, within requirement Although specifically officers, assert portions attacked conceded appellant. This, view, too narrow analysis. clearly enjoins officers 'from holding Apportionment Statutes.' 25 same except thereafter validly applies 2.031 2.021, respectively representatives, well succeeding determining districts. appellant's 2.021. sufficient justify direct Gunn University Committee, 399 383, 90 2013, 26 684 (1970), cited appellees, inapposite. IV 21 possesses power reapportion when applicable statutes fall short questioned. Reynolds Sims, 377 533, 586—587, 84 1362, 1394—1395, 506 (1964). legislation, found, light figures no longer provided constitutionally acceptable house. No challenges finding reason rule otherwise. endeavored thus, imposed 23, Constitution.7 Magraw Donovan, 163 184, 188 (D.Minn.1958), Honsey 236 (D.Minn.1964). efforts direction, nullified Governor's veto passed, executive take. Duxbury 272 Minn. 424, 138 N.W.2d 692 (1965). net result continuing applicability act. Under circumstances judicial relief appropriate. 22 court, content devising framework otherwise valid statutory structure. Instead recognizing provision composed members,' 'are districts,' invalid along 2.041—2.711, provisions specified 23 need review length several pronouncements relating reapportionment. pertinent cases, particularly June 1964, guidelines provide well-known. suffices note 506, primarily matter consideration determination, becomes fails according requisites .' 586, 1394.8 But stated, 'With operation Clause, makes difference scheme embodied constitution provisions,' then, 'Clearly, courts should attempt accommodate constitutions insofar possible.' 584, 1393. vests 24 follows possible. difficulty, professed have, discerning size. policy, long restated six years ago determined approved contrary recommendation, although entitled thoughtful consideration, represents executive's proffered current he represented policy. note, repetition, invalidated entire 2.021—2.712, despite fact details districts' configurations included 2.041—2.711. merely specifies representatives; calls act, efficacy which, period prior census, issue here. severability, 645.20 (1969),9 specific since 1913 through reapportionments, necessarily invalidation six-year-old law swept broadly nullifying capable alone. know principle authorizes go far by-pass formal proper bodies. decided gone decision employed radical surgery There effectuated minor changes Nearly reflect increase decrease few seats10 most appear justified demand, agreement observance geographical boundaries, mathematical convenience. disapprove court-imposed variation prescribed figure shown requirements. oppose reducing, case, 134, apparently willing concede. fit exactly 67-district pattern. slash house's one-fourth make mere variation. If acceptable, too, cutting increasing 75% 90% or, indeed, prescribing unicameral always followed bicameral precedent. repeat recently case: remedial equity must adequate task, unlimited.' Whitcomb Chavis, 403 124, 161, 1858, 1878, 29 363 (1971). 27 summary, raises protection unless occasions invalidating deviations. 'Determining bodies course discretion individual Nothing opinion indicating maximums minimums bodies.' 581 n. 63, 1392. Connor Johnson, 330 507 (S.D.Miss), stayed grounds, 690, 1760, 268, remand, 521 (S.D.Miss.1971); Bannister Davis, 263 202, 208 (E.D.La.1966); Dungan Sawyer, 250 480, 489 (D.Nev.1965). 30 drastically changing respective required exercise power. Our ruling course, expression part desirable way unwieldy equipped—and function task—to effectuate evaluate once Neither task Size determine wisdom awareness needs desires people. vacated remanded consistent opinion. instructed priority forthwith electoral get assurance soon already late maintenance disruption even now.11 33 forthwith. 34 Orders instructions. 36 Mr. Justice STEWART, dissenting. 37 undisputed violated Amendment. incumbent devise reapportionment, agree own. question abused did—a legislature. 38 doubt '(o)nce 1276, 554. At time '(t)he 363. context, seeking unconstitutional wrong while minimizing disturbance legitimate policies. 39 appears conscientiously undertaken task. recognized set deserving respect. policies stake—for one, conformance jurisdictional boundaries. were, unfortunately, conflict. stated: 40 larger District, man-one vote) subdivisions. Conversely, smaller likelihood deviations higher artificial result.' 41 Faced perceived conflict policies, weighed preservation precedence house.1 Perhaps assessment relative weights saw competing mistaken. accommodation judgments based careful study distribution possible alternative apportionments 43 This chooses summarily. Yet before us statistics maps court. benefit reports available briefs merits cases. And, heard oral arguments. For reasons simply able begin equity. 44 Surely, real if, sacrificing difficult. I say, basis information us, overstepped problem. As recognizes today, rigid absolute limit Every different, inevitably degree. 45 disagreed Procrustean view Amendment's substantive 'one vote.'2 established modified, often going faced hard problems Difficult solutions review, full briefing argument. believe summary wise appropriate, therefore respectfully dissent. ninth adoption 1857. Initially senators, 80 representatives. Minn.Const.1857, Schedule (both versions). plans, specified, Districts Senators Representatives Laws 1860, 73 1866, 47 1871, 106 1881, 128 103 1889, 54 114 1897, 120 63 119 1913, 130 1959, 1917, 217, increased (the 65th district), Throughout century, census. 184 '2.021 Number members. made, members.' '2.031 Apportionment. Subdivision 1. districts.' 2.041—2.711 3—70, subject 12, V, 4. Power vested convene 'on extraordinary occasions.' Constitution. 23. enumeration States, prescribe congressional, apportion anew article.' companion Maryland Committee Fair Representation Tawes, 656, 676, 1429, 1440, 595, observed 'primary responsibility rests itself.' '645.20 Construction severable provisions. Unless severable, laws severable. unconstiutional void, remaining remain valid, finds essentially inseparably connected with, dependent upon, void presume enacted one; alone, incomplete incapable being executed intent.' contrast, Minnesota's immediately preceding 45, contain 72 express nonseverability provision; repealed 71, intent apparent. Sims Amos, 924, 936, 937 (M.D.Ala.1972) (house reduced 105 times seats); Schaefer Thomson, 251 450 (D.Wyo.1965), Harrison Schaefer, 383 269, 86 929, 750 (1966) (senate constitution); Klahr Goddard, 537 (D.Ariz.1966) 60. lines, constitution. 4, pt. announced substantial opposed. taken); Herweg Thirty Ninth Legislative Assembly, 246 454 (D.Mont.1965) 56 55 94 104. provision, VI, prohibiting division counties, thereby observed); Paulson Meier, (D.N.D.1965) 53 49 98. constitution, II, 26, mandated members). altered legislatures approximating nullifying. Adams, 225 (S.D.Fla.1967); WMCA, Inc. Lomenzo, 238 916 (S.D.N.Y.1965), 382 invalidity proposed election 7. primaries September 12. Candidates file between 18. candidate establish residence his May 203.02, 202.02, 202.04; 25. Inasmuch nonpartisan, 202.03, earlier dates precinct caucuses conventions relevance presses seriously, extend limitations law. recognize policy—that odd minimize risk tie votes. See, e.g., Lucas Forty-Fourth Gen. Assembly Colorado, 713, 744, 1459, 1477, 632; 385 440, 447, 87 569, 573, 501. Wells Rockefeller, 394 542, 549, 89 1234, 1239, 535.

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