Document: 406 U.S. 583 92 S.Ct. 1716 32 L.Ed.2d 317 SOCIALIST LABOR PARTY et al., Appellants,v.John J. GILLIGAN, Governor of the State Ohio, al. No. 70—21. May 30, 1972. Syllabus Appellant political party, its officers, and members, attacked constitutionality revisions Ohio election code made following this Court's decision in Socialist Labor Party v. Rhodes, 393 23, 89 5, 21 24, a provision that party execute loyalty affidavit under oath order to obtain ballot position. The District Court, deciding case on cross-motions for summary judgment basis pleadings supporting affidavits, upheld all appellants' challenges except involving provision. All parties appealed. A revision after Court noted probable jurisdiction mooted but issue. Appellants, who did not attack Rhodes have been presumably complied with since adoption 1941, contend it violates First Amendment, is impermissibly vague, does comport due process, and, applies them two major parties, equal protection. Held: record one issue by supervening legislation (an received scant attention complaint none affidavits judgment) are inadequate resolution constitutional questions presented, view abstract speculative posture appeal must therefore be dismissed. Rescue Army Municipal 331 549, 67 1409, 91 L.Ed. 1666. Pp. 585—589. D.C., 318 F.Supp. 1262, Sanford Jay Rosen, New York City, appellants. Donald Guittar, Asst. Atty. Gen., Columbus, appellees. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 has engaged prolonged legal battle invalidate various laws restricting minority access ballot. Concluding 'the totality restrictive taken as whole' violated Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth struck down those 34, 12, 24 (1968).1 Following Legislature revised state code, was dissatisfied instituted present suit 1970. 2 Party, members joined plaintiffs requesting three-judge grounds sections Ohio. specifically challenged provisions requiring either receive certain percentage vote cast last preceding or else file petitions qualified electors corresponding same percentage; relating organizational structure party; elect specified number delegates alternates convention; part national holds conventions at which elected primaries nominate presidential vicepresidential candidates. In addition, they an stating substance attempt overthrow government force violence, associated group making such attempt, carry program sedition treason defined criminal law. 3 decided judgment, having before answer respective filed pursuant Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 56. court ruled merits favor requirement, respect Both sides appealed we jurisdiction. 401 991, 1223, 28 529 (1971). 4 Since then, litigation undergone significant change. On December 1971, enacted Senate Bill 460, embodied extensive code. now agree passage Act renders moot issues below. remains unamended State's requirement above-described position 5 Appellants' 1970 represented broadside against interrelated allegedly overly laws. ruling appellants become moot, stated: 6 'The 1969 amendments merely perpetuate between 1948 1952. overall effect these still deny their right associations.' 1269—1270 (footnote omitted). 7 Thus appellants, time action, were fenced out process series prevented from any progress toward designated party. Their challenge necessarily somewhat character, allegations able comply very few regulating Now, however, enactment character single remaining procedures stands more. 8 Appellants action came here 1968 oath. respecting singularly sparse factual allegations. There no suggestion ever refused past, will refuse, sign required allegation injury suffered suffer because existence requirement. 9 It fairly inferable absence oversight drafting pleading. 119 Laws 586, remained continuously date. appeared law's passage, unless officials ignored what appear mandatory provisions, reasonable conclude past executed affidavit. 10 axiomatic federal courts do decide posed lack 'a personal stake outcome controversy.' Baker Carr, 369 186, 204, 82 691, 703, 663 (1962); Flast Cohen, 392 83, 101, 88 1942, 1953, 20 947 (1968). argue Amendments, fail allege way affected speech conduct, executing would impair exercise They require denies protection, particulars make other than hypothetical burden. Finally, claim vague enforcement process. But extraordinarily skimpy sort proved admitted facts enable us adjudicate claim. previously secured untoward consequences, gravamen injures quite unclear. 11 usual passed validity similar challenging unable unwilling circumstances particular case, sustained, faced immediate prospect sustaining, some direct result penalty See, e.g., Cole Richardson, 405 676, 1332, 31 593 (1972); Keyishian Board Regents, 385 589, 87 675, 17 629 (1967); Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 73 215, 97 216 (1952). 12 Cramp Public Instruction, 368 278, 283 285, 275, 278—280, 285 (1961), public school teachers had threatened discharge refusal held even though might good conscience, there indicated subject possible hazards perjury conviction reason vagueness oath's language. apparently signed previous times, so far shows result. never questioned truth affidavit, conduct associations constricted 13 long short matter know little more about operation procedure lawsuit if prospective plaintiff set foot simply picked section statute books setting forth offending injunction enforcement. These may well meet technical standing, controversy, given particularity Ohio's 14 This recognized when exists should exercised 'tenders underlying clean-cut concrete form.' 584, 1427, 1666 (1947). Problems prematurity abstractness 'insuperable obstacles' jurisdiction, technically present. Id., 574, S.Ct., 1422.2 15 We find raises just obstacle. litigated below treated support judgment. Nothing thus far, future wholly speculative. Notwithstanding indications without injury, is, course, demonstrate application here. Our adjudication await time. supra, U.S., 585, 1427. 16 ordered. Appeal 18 DOUGLAS, whom BRENNAN MARSHALL concur, dissenting. 19 recognition plainly unconstitutional denial Because I believe proper declaratory relief, reverse 'be place primary general election,' requires Secretary State. Rev. Code Ann. § 3517.07 (1960) (see appendix opinion). need consider overbreadth oath, my views stated over again.1 For sufficient based upon invidious classification allegiance. An exception 'any each gubernatorial year 1900.' Ibid. conceded exemption only Democratic Republican Parties Plaintiffs' Motion Summary Judgment), properly treat written precisely terms. See Lane Wilson, 307 268, 59 872, 83 1281 (1939); Guinn United States, 238 347, 35 926, 1340 (1915). broader pattern discriminatory preference established parties. considered discrimination Williams 31, 10, (1968), said: 22 'No extended discussion establish give old, advantage new struggling substantially unequal burdens both associate. form advancement goals means can kept off denied opportunity win votes. So also, heavily burdened clamoring determining whether power groups where rights kind stake, decisions consistently 'only compelling interest regulation within regulate justify limiting Amendment freedoms." 23 separate opinion, noted, permits States classifications different uniformly. Nevertheless, bans 'invidious discrimination." 39, 15. Classifications religious associations, beliefs, philosophy 'invidious' classifications. As Black said Cox Louisiana, 379 559, 581, 85 466, 470, 476, 487: '(B)y permitting picketing publication labor union views, Louisiana attempting pick choose among willing discussed streets. trying prescribe law matters people allows assemble streets mat discuss. seems me censorship most odious form, Amendments. And appellant his use reviews racial discrimination, while allowing voice opinions subjects, also amounts, think, forbidden Amendment.' 25 'While doubt impairment associational freedoms area philosophy—political otherwise,' Lippitt Cipollone, 404 1032, 1033—1034, 729, 730, 30 725 (Douglas, J., dissenting); see 39—40, 14—15 (separate Douglas, J.), appellees offered colorable explanation disparate treatment conclude, therefore, burden placed unconstitutional.2 26 reach concludes 'they (oath) burden.' Ante, 587. sharp contrast (1947), relies,3 explain additional feels necessary merits. basing ground, fear unduly narrow relief. 27 facially invalid indivious creates, vagueness. Certainly facial ideally suited Moore Ogilvie, 394 814, 1493, 1. question refuse subscribe recognition, cf. Law Students Civil Rights Research Council, Inc. Wadmond, 154, 720, 749 (1971); Baird Bar Arizona, 1, 702, 639 while, themselves classification.4 Cf. (1961).5 Under alternative, 'such . assure adverseness sharpens presentation largely depends.' (1962). Nor speculative, Golden Zwickler, 103, 956, 113 (1969), 'will continue candidates office future.' Evers Dwyer, 358 202, 79 178, 222 (1958), relevant black sought segregation races municipal buses unconstitutional. dismissing complaint, took approach takes today reasoned 'ha(d) injured all' 'he regular occasional user bus transportation.' summarily reversed decision, saying individual 'subjected special disabilities has, substantial, immediate, real imposes disability.' 179. Gooding 518, 1103, 408. 29 Evers, base our consideration seats blacks take better worse available whites. Rather, disfavored could statutory apart. That 'disability' referred. unfavored too apart favored majority. 1946, repressed dominant four years, relief shackles voices heard arena.6 erected innumerable roadblocks participation. majority's obstacle frustrated turn satisfy test modern remedy declaratory, judgments used simplify, multiply, litigation. APPENDIX TO OPINION OF DISSENTING Rev.Code (1960): 33 advocates, directly indirectly, overthrow, local, state, carries radio, speech, press manner connection foreign organization connected advocating carrying shall generaly subdivision thereof. 34 'Any desiring secretary board elections county desires less ten three executive officers thereof, advocate, government; press; power; advocating, press. 'Said six nor nine months prior investigate appearing sixty days filing thereof certify entitled 36 member elector finding supreme 37 'This apply together Despite contrary implication dissent, post, 592—593 n. 3, holding applied numerous appeals impediment Cowgill California, 396 371, 90 613, 590 (1970) (Harlan, concurring); Atlanta Newspapers, Grimes, 364 290, 81 63, 39 (1960); International Brotherhood Teamsters Denver Milk Producers, Inc., 334 809, 68 1015, 1741 (1948). rather federal, courts. Fruehauf, 365 146, 157, 547, 553, 476 (1961); CIO, 335 106, 125—126, 1349, 1358—1359, 1849 (1948) (Frankfurter, concurring). Albertson Millard, 345 242, 245, 600, 602, 983 (1953). support, dissent argues doctrine U.S.C. 1253, whereas 1257. distinction evanescent. grants obligated rule presented case. clarity needed effective adjudication, appellate review every bit inappropriate Army. E.g., 687, 1338, (1972) (dissenting opinion); DuBois Clubs Clark, 389 309, 313, 450, 453, 546 (1967) Elfbrandt Russell, 384 11, 86 1238, 321 (1966); Nostrand Little, 362 474, 80 840, 842, 892 Unitarian Church Los Angeles, 357 545, 78 1350, 1351, 1484 (1958) (concurring Speiser Randall, 513, 532, 1344, 1460 While acknowledged 'violates excepting ambit,' 1270, inexplicably address argument. Supreme California involved complex scheme. contrast, comes founded 1253. undue extension question. H. Hart & Wechsler, Federal Courts System 149 differing relates difference taken. If fall Art. III, nowise affect Doremus Education, 342 429, 434, 72 394, 397, 96 L,.ed. 475 cannot said, courts, Muskrat 219 346, 250, 55 246. '(t)he practice dealing civil system pending vacate remand direction dismiss.' Munsingwear, 340 36, 71 104, 95 (1950); R. Robertson F. Kirkham, Jurisdiction 273, p. 501 (1951). 'If proceeding court,' 'remand cause further proceedings deemed appropriate.' cases cited majority, ante, 588—589 2, today's III court. dismissed indictment remanded provable bring statute. 62 (1948), affirmed indictment, alleged offense; relied (1953), abstention vacated directions hold until resolved. None cases, proposition dismiss perfected entered 'appellants times,' 588, somehow waived object unsupported record. include named Whatever relevance fact bearing regard Cramp, suggested (Cramp) language.' 588. 'that he 'is loyal American decline aforesaid penalties provided false oath," 281, 277. event, subjects takers 'possible conviction,' §§ 3599.36, 2917.25 (1960), distinguishable. (1972), aff'g 337 1405 (N.D.Ohio 1971); Brockington 41, 206, 209 (1969); sub nom. 290 (Ohio 1968); ex rel. Bible Elections, St.2d 57, 258 N.E.2d 227; Beck Hummel, 150 St. 127, 899.

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