Document: 410 U.S. 752 93 S.Ct. 1245 36 L.Ed.2d 1 Pedro J. ROSARIO et al., Petitioners,v.Nelson ROCKEFELLER, Governor of the State New York, al. No. 71—1371. Argued Dec. 13, 1972. Decided March 21, 1973. Rehearing Denied Apr. 23, See 411 959, 1920. Syllabus Petitioners challenge constitutionality York Election Law § 186, which requires a voter to enroll in party his choice at least 30 days before general election order vote next primary. Though eligible previous election, petitioners failed do so and were therefore ineligible 1972 The Court Appeals, reversing District Court, upheld scheme, it found be permissible deterrent against practice primary 'raiding' by opposing members. Held: York's delayed-enrollment scheme did not violate petitioners' constitutional rights. Pp. 756—762. (a) Section 186 absolutely prohibit from voting primary, but merely imposed time deadline on their enrollment, they chose disregard. 756—758. (b) statute does deprive voters right under First Fourteenth Amendments associate with or subsequently change another party, provided that statutory limit for doing is observed. 758 759. (c) cutoff date occurs about eight months presidential, 11 nonpresidential, arbitrary when viewed light legitimate state purpose avoiding disruptive raiding. 760—761. 458 F.2d 649, affirmed. Burt Neuborne, City, petitioners; Melvin L. Wulf, Seymour Friedman, Brooklyn, brief. A. Seth Greenwald, Asst. Atty. Gen. respondents Rockefeller others; Louis Lefkowitz, Gen., Samuel Hirshowitz, Irving Galt, Joseph Jaspan, Mineola, filed brief Meisser others. David N. Dinkins, pro se, Dinkins Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. For more than 60 years, has had closed system elections, whereby only enrolled members political may party's primary.1 Under State's Law, McKinney's Consol.Laws, c. 17, registered enrolls as member depositing an enrollment blank locked box. last day each year. provides boxes shall opened until Tuesday following affiliations are then entered official registration books. duly subsequent election.2 2 effect require November If fails meet this deadline, he cannot participate after election. 187 exemption waiting period certain classes voters, including persons who have attained age too ill during period, moved one place within single county. 187, these specially even taken place.3 3 residents became came 1971. Although could 1971—October 2—they so.4 Instead, waited early December 1971 register deposit blanks. At time, immediately since before, rather after, Hence, pursuant become effective Because then, presidential held June 4 complaints declaratory relief, 42 U.S.C. 1983, alleging unconstitutionally deprived them abridged freedom choice. unreported opinion, granted relief sought. Appeals Second Circuit reversed, holding constitutional. 649. We certiorari, denied motion summary reversal, expedited consideration, stay. 406 957, 92 2062, 32 343 (1972).5 5 argue that, through disenfranchised refusing permit ground prior preceding More specifically, contend operated preclude newly such themselves, participating According petitioners, no 'compelling interest' its justify disenfranchisement, hence must fall. In support argument, rely several cases struck down, violative Equal Protection Clause, statutes groups people. Carrington v. Rash, 380 89, 85 775, 13 675 (1965); Kramer Union Free School 15, 395 621, 89 1886, 23 583 (1969); Cipriano City Houma, 701, 1897, 647 Evans Cornman, 398 419, 90 1752, 26 370 (1970); Phoenix Kolodziejski, 399 204, 1990, 523 Dunn Blumstein, 405 330, 995, 31 274 (1972). 6 accept contention. None apposite situation here. those cases, totally electoral franchise particular class residents, there was way made themselves vote. Carrington, instance, Texas Constitution disabled all servicemen Texas, matter how long lived there. Kramer, property owners parents completely precluded school board elections. States prohibited non-property ever bond Evans, Maryland refused National Institutes Health, located borders, And Dunn, Tennessee arrived i.e., been less year county three 7 however, quite different. It disenfranchise belong—newly Rather, Since October 2, 1971, clearly primary.6 Indeed, if able because attain requisite would special 187. say why date; clear done so, to. plight can characterized disenfranchisement all, caused own failure take timely steps enrollment.7 8 same reason, we reject argument violated Amendment free association constitute ban association, limitation act chosen primary.8 9 law, person may, wishes, different All need new between date. example, Republican Before October, Democratic Party. February 1, Liberal, on. Thus, 'lock' into unwanted pre-existing affiliation next.9 10 remaining question, whether severe itself onerous burden exercise association. As dissent acknowledges, certainly justified imposing some reasonable point citizens Post, 765. our inquiry us here justified. prescribed approximately (held June) nonpresidential September). unreasonably long, unduly burdens prospective knowledge candidates issues involved requirement especially onerous, say, applied never party. 12 true lengthy. But unconnected any important goal. told, inhibit 'raiding,' sympathy designate influence determine results other This accomplished, found, requiring advance theory 'longrange planning politics difficult,' F.2d, 653, also reason latter well stated court below: '(T)he notion raiding, potential impact, advantages side likely apparent majority nor receive close attention professional politician just concerns elsewhere 'primary season,' which, country whole, runs end June. Few effrontery foresight 'Republicans' seven hence, full intend 'Democratic' few weeks. And, rare successfully urge constituents him upcoming while urging cross-over upsetting opposite Yet operation section deliberate inconsistencies large-scale raiding York. statute, impossible group engage raiding.' Ibid. 14 preservation integrity process valid Cf. supra, 345, 1004; Bullock Carter, 134, 145, 849, 857, service goal, adopted scheme; integral part stated: 'Allowing put unseemly position asking intending another.' 653. insulating resulting thus tied particularized purpose, sense invidious arbitrary. Lippitt Cipollone, 404 1032, 729, 725 (1972).10 15 associating 16 Accordingly, judgment below 17 Affirmed. 18 POWELL, whom DOUGLAS, BRENNAN, MARSHALL join, dissenting. 19 * outset perspective. prevents registering one.1 recognizes, must, 'lengthy' one.2 upon previously unaffiliated restrictions approach severity York.3 concedes State—Kentucky—has stringent affiliations.4 Confronted facially burdensome requirement, I find Court's unconvincing. 20 vote, once decided make available some, becomes basic Constitution. (1972); District, (1965). Self-expression public ballot equally one's peers essence democratic society. Reynolds Sims, 377 533, 84 1362, 506 (1964). A citizen without large extent voice decisions profoundly affect family. Whatever disagreement judgments officials, should given cause think equal elect them. 21 today upholds imposes substantial unnecessary right, closely related Williams Rhodes, 393 5, 24 (1968); NAACP Alabama, 357 449, 78 1163, 1488 (1958); United Robel, 389 258, 88 508 (1967). justifies placing responsibility enroll, required told 'clearly choice' undertermined reasons 'chose to,' disfranchisement resulted 'their enrollment.'5 22 one, agree. Certainly, beyond citizen's presumed negligent wilful forfeiting difficult perceive persuasive basis Failure comply extreme hardly used denial fundamental right. Numerous impose obligation protect continuing availability citizens, sanction prolonged deferment deprivation. Ex parte Siebold, 100 371, 25 L.Ed. 717 (1880); Nixon Herndon, 273 536, 47 446, 71 759 (1927); Lane Wilson, 307 268, 59 872, 83 1281 (1939); Baker Carr, 369 (1962); Gray Sanders, 372 368, 801, 821 (1963); Wesberry 376 526, 481 (1964); supra; Harper Virginia Board Elections, 383 663, 86 1079, 169 (1966); supra. excuses challenged 'absolutely' absolute association.6 likewise contends 'not disenfranchising statute.'7 apparently views mere 'time deadline' disadvantages identifiable postpones denies altogether associational rights.8 Deferment sensitive essential first duty citizenship, tantamount denial. freeze consequent disfranchises who, reasons, decide closer wish choose alter affiliation. Our decisions, moreover, permanent rights breach incurred. uniformly recognized serious infringement 'constitutionally protected activity' sufficient establish violation, 343, 1003; Button, 371 415, 438, 328, 340, 561—562, 1381—1382. II identify standard scrutiny applies statute. goal';9 'tied arbitrary.'10 explain formulation chosen, what precedents it, contexts applied. Such nebulous promulgations bound leave lower courts legislatures doubt confusion will future significant freely formulation, though terminology somewhat stronger, resembles traditional protection 'rational basis' test. One agree rationally interest preventing 'raiding.' simply approach. recognize that: suffrage Especially unimpaired manner preservative civil rights, alleged carefully meticulously scrutinized.' S.Ct., 1381. 27 Yick Wo Hopkins, 118 356, 1064, 220 (1886). 28 Voting encroachment Terry Adams, 345 461, 73 809, 97 1152 (1953); Classic, 313 299, 61 1031, 1368 (1941). said explicitly 'if grants others, 'the exclusions necessary promote compelling interest." U.S., 337, 1000, quoting 627, 1889 (emphasis added Dunn). 704, 1899; 205, 209, 1992, 1994. Likewise, asserted individuals advancement beliefs' 'among most precious freedoms,' 30, 10, encroachment. Bates Little Rock, 361 516, 80 412, 480 (1960); Gibson Florida Legislative Investigation Committee, 539, 889, 929 (1963). 29 instant burdening withstand strict judicial called cases. case prevention consists movement 'crossover' another's 'defeat candidate adverse interests care advance.'11 typical example deliberately entering help nominate weaker candidate, nominee might win easily behavior, lest efficacy process—its usefulness providing unity divergent factions alliance power—would seriously impaired,' Rosario Rockefeller, 652 (CA2). flatly deterring 'compelling' one. matter, resolved. importance significance determined vacuum but, rather, context means advanced constitutionally activity operates impede. enough sustain presumption, appears based, declare nearer intent raid Any presumption assumes willingness manipulate widespread. Political parties traditionally fluidity overlap philosophy membership. generally premeditated intention disrupt frustrate plans sympathy. Citizens customarily presents responsive immediate aspirations. often That far response sympathetic meaningful issue, changing philosophies State, contrary personal expression designed serve. exists cross-overs appreciably lessened where, danger insubstantial where commitment all. falls short overriding needed denying advance, initial III 33 1003, emphasized pursuing interest, 34 'cannot unnecessarily restrict activity. Statutes affecting drawn 'precision,' 265, 424, (1967), 'tailored' serve objectives. Shapiro Thompson, 394 631, 1329. other, ways achieve goals lesser activity, greater interference. acts 'less drastic means.' Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 488, 81 247, 252, 231 (1960).' 35 indicates serves discouraging 'raiding'12 address critical question adequately measures. foreshortening structure helpless vulnerable activities. Other States, varied complex systems, maintained Partisan activities constantly numbers Americans, labels loyalties tend qualities individual candidates. crossover impelled motives unrelated desire distort To occurs, usually result organized effort depends success relatively concern voters. type occur draws near. adopt days, protected. importantly, now opportunities participation them.13 N.Y. 131. comprehensive law enacted 1911. provides, pertinent part: 'All blanks contained box remain box, removed therefrom elections therein board, names designated declaration, continues defined name appropriate column two copies containing district resides. . complete succeeding year.' finds roots 1911 law. Laws 1911, 891, 19. 'Application transfer correction enrollment. 1. January thirtieth fall except thirty spring moving county, circumstances, correct hereinafter provided. '2. annual naturalized ninety residential qualifications hundred fifty, enable year, (d) being having times armed forces three, (e) spouse, child parent absent her residence accompanying forces, (f) inmate patient veterans' bureau hospital outside times, (g) incapacitated illness thereby enrolling.' admit failure. present consolidated originated complaints, petitioner named plaintiffs, behalf class, Eisner. Paragraph Rosario's complaint '(e)ach plaintiffs 2nd, They so.' Similarly, Eisner's stated, paragraph 5: 'Plaintiff, Eisner, 1970, attainment twenty-first birthday.' Whether inadvertence, lack essentially local clear, none advances explanation enroll. completed scheduled moot, raise "capable repetition, yet evading review." 333 n. 998, Moore Ogilvie, 814, 816, 1493, 1494, Southern Pacific Terminal Co. ICC, 219 498, 515, 279, 283, 55 310 (1911). Not have, enrolled, participated September 14, truly voluntary, awareness relevant circumstances consequences. claim unaware states '(t)he rights.' 766. argues 'have incurred.' 766—767. mischaracterizes view 186. uphold prohibition voting. neither established establishes durational unconstitutional (1972), violates travel 618, 1322, 600 (1969). whose old residence, arrive move date, barred constitutes 1970 amendments Rights Act 1965, Stat. 316, 1973aa—1. standing contentions. recently changed represent belong. already prevent raiding—means accomplish goal registrant inadvertently Specifically, 332 and, determination chairman committee principles canceled justice Supreme hearing. section, cumbersome real Every would-be raider administrative inquiry; proof demands voter's mind; successful, strikes books time. face alone virtually ineffectual. '(i)n use proper impinge minimally ineffectual 654. effective. 20, 1972, actually one-half September. Ante, 760. dispute point. Tr. Oral Arg. 34. Massachusetts, Illinois, Jersey, Ohio Mass.Gen.Laws Ann., 53, §§ 37, 38 (Supp.1973); Ill.Rev.Stat. 46, 5—30, 7—43, 7—45 (1971); N.J.Stat.Ann. 19:23—45 Tex.Election Code, Art. 13.01a (Supp.1972—1973), V.A.T.S.; Rev.Code Ann. 3513.19 (1960). California Pennsylvania preference up Calif.Elections Code 22, 203, 311—312 (1961) (registration closes 53 primary); Pa.Stat.Ann., Tit. 25, 623—17, 951 (1963 Supp.1972—1973) 50 primary). Michigan permits Mich.Comp.Laws 168.570, 168.575 168.576, Mich.Stat.Ann. 6.1570, 6.1575—6.1576 Brief 32—33. 757, 758. ante, 1252 refers 'a (petitioners') disregard.' 757: 'Section primary.' Similarly 758: 'For 762: 'New instances, seeks distinguish limitation' 35. 757 6, 762. 29. 761. suggest drastic' protecting interest: reliance disenrollment procedures loyalty oaths, restrictive rules optional them, statute's affiliations, criminal sanctions fraudulent process. 13—21. either alternatives Their presence, points range variety experimental techniques consider.

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