Opinion ID: 1810128
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Fundamental liberty interest.

Text: As mentioned, Bowers asserts two fundamental rights were infringed in this case: the right to vote and the right to engage in political speech. In our discussion on procedural due process, we concluded the petition process Bowers challenges here does not infringe either right. We also indicated the right he had was what the legislature had given him: the right to petition for the right to vote, which was not guaranteed because the Board retained the ability to abandon the bond issue if it so chose. We described the right as minimal at best. Additionally, it is extremely doubtful that this right is a protected interest for substantive due process purposes. In any event, assuming this is a constitutionally protected right, it clearly is not a fundamental right. That brings us to the question of the applicable level of scrutiny.