Document: 403 U.S. 182 91 S.Ct. 1904 29 L.Ed.2d 399 Samuel J. ABATE, etc., et al., Petitioners,v.Paul F. MUNDT al. No. 71. Argued Nov. 19, 1970. Decided June 7, 1971. Syllabus For more than a century the Rockland County board of supervisors consisted county's five towns, resulting in extensive functional interrelationships and intergovernmental coordination between county towns. Severe malapportionment due to population growth led courtordered reapportionment. The proposed plan, challenged by petitioners, provides for legislature 18 members chosen from districts, corresponding with each district being assigned legislators proportion its that smallest town. plan produces total deviation equality 11.9%. Court Appeals New York upheld plan. Held: In light long tradition overlapping functions dual personnel government fact does not contain any built-in bias favoring particular political interests or geographic areas, is violative Equal Protection Clause. Pp. 185—187. 25 N.Y.2d 309, 305 N.Y.S.2d 465, 253 N.E.2d 189, affirmed. Frank P. Barone, Suffern, N.Y., petitioner Abate. Doris Ulman, Spring Valley, petitioners Molof others. Paul H. Rivet, City, Cornelius T. O'Sullivan Martin Cornell, respondents. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 this case, challenge constitutionality reapportionment response both federal state court findings County, York. State We affirm. 2 100 years, was governed consisting constituent This separately elected; rather, held their offices virtue election as town supervisors—a pattern typified government. result has been local structure which public services are provided towns working close cooperation. example, adopt own budgets submit them levies taxes. These taxes based on real property assessments established but equalized board. Similarly, such waste disposal snow removal through cooperative efforts among municipalities. There no indication these joint have declined importance; fact, respondents strenuously urge rapidly expanding amplified need future. 3 increased also produced severe malapportionment—so that, 1966, required voters, Lodico v. Board Supervisors, 256 F.Supp. 440 (SDNY). Pursuant order, three different plans were devised submitted electorate; rejected at polls. present action brought 1968 compel reapportion. After initial proposal courts, subject decision. 4 1969 figures composed legislative districts. districts exactly correspond Each according district's relation town, Stony Point. Point 12,114 one representative legislature. number representatives granted other determined dividing Fractional results computation rounded nearest integer, round off 'fractional representatives' some variations terms per legislator. Under figures, Orangetown most 'underrepresented' (7.1%); while Clarkstown 'overrepresented' (4.8%). Thus, presently 11.9%.1 Petitioners attack deviations unconstitutional.2 5 It well electoral apportionment must be general principle applies elections, Avery Midland 390 474, 481, 88 1114, 1118, 20 45 (1968). 'Mathematical exactness precision hardly workable constitutional requirement,' Reynolds Sims, 377 533, 577, 84 1362, 1389, 1390, 12 506 (1964), justified legitimate considerations, Swann Adams, 385 440, 444, 87 569, 572, 17 501 (1967). Because voting rights require highly sensitive safeguards, carefully scrutinized offered justify equality. 6 assessing various plans, we observed viable governments may considerable flexibility municipal arrangements if they meet changing societal needs, Sailors Education Kent 387 105, 110—111, 1549, 1553—1554, 650 (1967), desire preserve integrity subdivisions an departs numerical supra, U.S., 578, S.Ct., 1390. observations, along facts bodies frequently fewer do national counterparts much smaller congressional lend support argument slightly greater percentage tolerable schemes, cf. ibid. Of course, never suggested certain areas entitled disproportionate representation. Rather, our statements reflected view circumstances needs community whole sometimes departures strict 7 Accordingly, underscored danger structures tending favor necessarily will tend favor, less populous over populated neighbors, see Hadley Junior College District, 397 50, 57—58, 90 791, 795 796, (1970). indigenous bias; there suggestion designed groups. true existence means advantaged point time; but, under demographic patterns shift advantages another.3 8 mere absence not, justification departure however, defends asserting history of, perceived cooperation often greatest level, already commented But because almost all governmental entities interrelated numerous ways, would hesitant accept itself. To us, therefore, it significant recognized having same individuals occupy governing positions only board, system fostered interdependence When shifts receive portion seats legislature, responded substantially remedies preserving exact correspondence continues encourage serve 9 emphasize decision before us areas. And nothing say today should taken imply even factors could prepared hold violates Constitution, and, 10 Affirmed. 11 HARLAN concurs reasons stated his separate Whitcomb Chavis, 124, 165, 1858, 1881, 363. STEWART judgment. 13 BRENNAN, whom DOUGLAS joins dissenting. 14 reaffirms principles progeny refuses, combination unpersuasive me, apply those scheme. I believe recent decisions (1968); Kirkpatrick Preisler, 394 526, 89 1225, 22 519 (1969), Wells Rockefeller, 542, 1234, 535 reversal therefore dissent. 15 holds 'a 1390.' Ante, 185. Court's reliance misplaced. said 'it feasible use subdivision lines extent establishing districting.' warned '(t)o so constitutionally valid, equal-population diluted way.' Ibid. (emphasis added). Moreover, did time 'deem expedient * attempt spell out precise tests.' done since. 16 explained '(t)oleration small detracts from' command 'equal representation equal numbers people,' 'limited variances unavoidable despite good-faith effort achieve absolute equality, shown' permissible. 531, 1229. '(T)he variance, matter how small.' On record presented here clear made. Nor can sufficient demonstrated 11.9% approved allegedly represents mathematical possible without existing boundaries using weighted fractional votes. constraints Constitution requires. struck down similar maintain insufficient 12.1% variance. explanation 'to keep regions distinct intact' 'would permit groups defined interest orientations over-represented expense orientations.' 546, 1237. That precisely what dealing here. resulted variance cannot 0.2% differential determining factor approving explains is, dictates result, maintaining counties. me why history, protracted, alter make power near possible. 19 Today's excused somehow important governments. fully applied man, vote polities 'the States universally leave policy decisionmaking subdivisions. word, institutions always major aspect system, responsible responsive operation increasing importance quality life citizens.' 1118. none relied upon can, singly variation. Obviously scheme possibly today. sense little precedential value. Nevertheless, help regret basic concept vote. All are: Number Percentage** District Population* Representatives Deviations 0.3 Haverstraw 23,676 2.5 52,080 -7.1 57,883 4.8 Ramapo 73,051 -0.2* Population data.** (-) refers "underrepresented." plan's multi-member However, shown themselves, operate impair strength racial elements population, Burns Richardson, 384 73, 88, 86 1286, 1294, 376 (1966). Naturally, express contention future produce exist. Such questions answered when arise.

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