Document: 403 U.S. 108 91 S.Ct. 1803 29 L.Ed.2d 352 Herbert L. ELY, Individually and as Chairman of the Democratic Party Arizona, Appellant,v.Gary Peter KLAHR et al. No. 548. Argued March 23, 1971. Decided June 7, Philip J. Shea, Phoenix, Ariz., for appellant. John M. McGowan, II, appellees. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 This appeal is latest step in long fitful attempt to devise a constitutionally valid reapportionment scheme State Arizona. For reasons given, we affirm judgment District 2 In April 1964, shortly before this Court's decision Reynolds v. Sims, 377 533, 84 1362, 12 506 (1964), its companion cases, suit was filed Court Arizona attacking then-existing state districting laws unconstitutional.1 Following those decisions, three-judge ordered all proceedings stayed 'until expiration period 30 days next following adjournment session' Legislature. (App. 2—3, unreported.) Nearly year later, on May 18, 1965, after legislature had failed act, court again deferred trial pending special legislative session called by Governor deal with necessity reapportionment. The enacted Senate Bill 11, which among other things provided one senator county 7,700 another 55,000. did not undertake reapportion House. Trial November 1965 February 2, 1966, enjoined enforcement which, it held, 'bears evidence having been thrown together result considerations wholly apart from laid down compulsory decisions Supreme Court.' Klahr Goddard, 250 F.Supp. 537, 541 (D.C.Ariz.1966). plan, said court, 'shot through invidious discrimination.' Id., at 546. also held that existing House plan produced disparties nearly four one, clearly impermissible under our decisions. 3 Noting 'has ample opportunity' produce formulated own 'temporary provisional reapportionment,' designed govern impending preparation 1966 elections. be effect 'for primary general elections such further may follow until time Legislature itself adopt different plans reapportionment.'2 543. It retained jurisdiction, has done since. 4 Some 16 months 1967, 'Chapter 1, 28th Legislature,' attempted State. Within month, charging Act unconstitutional, but action outcome referendum3 scheduled 1968 election Congress. accordance supplemented. Williams, 289 829 (D.C.Ariz.1967). approved voters referendum signed into law January 17, 1969. A hearing commenced same day. concluded July 22, 1969, set up 'election districts' based population 'legislative' subdistricts voter registration, would allow deviations 40% ideal 1971, 16% thereafter. properly invalid Kirkpatrick Preisler, 394 526, 89 1225, 22 519 (1969), Wells Rockefeller, 542, 1234, 535 since operated notion deviation de minimis consequently made no effort achieve greater equality. continued once shall have adopted different, effective redistricting * *.' 85, refused order 1970 large, there 'ample time' 'to meet obligation' machinery conducting engaged. 5 third enact plan. passed 29th 1970, involved taken. Appellant challenged bill, alleging 'substantially disenfranchises, unreasonably unnecessarily, large number citizens state,' App. 106, 'creates districts are grossly unequal.' 108. submitted his court's consideration. Appellant's dispute new substantially misconceived current distribution agreed appellant's utilized projections 1960 censuses, could 'very likely (result in) plan' declined implement census tracts, rather than precinct boundaries, 'the necessary reconstruction precincts accomplished serve election, whose preliminary preparations were begin few weeks. 313 148, 150 (Ariz.1970). At time, observed fallen behind contemporary constitutional requirements, due more recent registration data (which increased between high low 47.09%) intervening Wells, supra, Burns Richardson, 384 73, 86 1286, 376 (1966). 6 Turning legislature's found wanting several respects. First, though indicated only 1.8%, formula used4 'truly represent within (the) either or 1968,' thus figures truly figures.' F.Supp., 152. Second, computer devised programmed assure require any incumbent legislator face re-election. Third, programming gave priority one-party over drawn without regard party strength. incumbency factor place redistricting'5 'inapposite' 'consideration strength Ibid. 7 faced situation where both fell short standard. however, 'close hand.' 'out question' felt delaying elections, 'a course involve serious risk confusion chaos.' considered at-large prospect electing 90 legislators deemed so repugnant justified if actions 'deliberate inexcusable'; instead believed increase last reliable blame. Concluding became available plans, chose what lesser two evils conducted effect, noted 'assumes will '(u)pon failure do, apply appropriate relief.' 154. 8 officials seek review declaring Chapter unconstitutional. Appellant, appealed His notice jurisdictional statement August 1970. latter presented single question whether error United States refuse enjoin Legislature's most Appellees' motion dismiss 24. We probable jurisdiction December 21, Ely Klahr, 400 963, 364, 27 382. 9 Meanwhile, decree. Appellees suggest issue moot appellant concedes already aspect wrong cannot remedied.' Brief 8. But now argues however be, should proceed displaced upon adoption legislature. doubts postponing judicial give sufficient prior 1972, when process must consider prepare does comply Constitution. feared an unconstitutional 10 Reapportionment history lends some substance these fears, often noted, apportionment tasks first instance,6 err giving reasonable act thought summer agree make very sure 1972 adequate knows better deadline afford opportunity assess legality statute forthcoming official version proves insufficient. figures, available, soon; appellant, he inclined, can assemble information witnesses himself ready submission deems Surely, satisfactory substitute Court, prepared scheme. And surely use suitable alternative unacceptable effort, least makes essential hand, justifiable ground thinking not, complete hearings consideration and, rejected, Nor do read decree forbidding petitioning reopening case presenting problem raised here prefer juncture leave hands Court.7 affirmed. 11 ordered. Affirmed. 13 DOUGLAS, whom BLACK joins, concurring. 14 complaint 27, 1964. 25, regular nothing achieved, them session. 537. 15 Thereupon drew provisional' 1968. See 254 997, 827; 303 224. 1967 declared then allowed used although provided: 'The advised detailed assumes houses congressional Upon 17 cause. 148. 18 Since Members who elected Under instructed redistrict accomplish, order, objectives: (1) equal possible; (2) circumscribe way each included representatives; (3) compact; (4) politically homogeneous. 19 Even assuming practical deficiencies far minority representation goes. insured running against incumbent, happen Thus preserving status quo assisted. 20 An district homogeneous compounded problem. record provides definition gerrymandering. gerrymandered 'natural' majority finds power erased moving lines numbers opposition dispersed. came overwhelmingly Republican Democratic. second fourth factors combined natural benefits incumbency, (where possible) district, fiefdom. 21 reveals heavily favored incumbents even assumed districts. Such assumption, course, contrary facts; ranged about 24% above median 52% below median. basic unit local political precinct. Unfortunately, unit, making difficult build created assume part registered bore 23 If segments society equally register vote, method computing unobjectionable. members community register. example, counties out eight Spanish surname populations excess 15% showed statewide average.1 Not poor, blacks, Chicanos, Indians less place, they higher rate illiteracy their members. required literacy test registration. Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann. §§ 16—101(a)(4), 16—101(A)(5). Naturally underregistration groups.2 While present lacks statistics, know Bureau Census determined 50% residents voting age voted 1964 presidential Apache County, Navajo Coconino County. Fed.Reg. 9897, 14505. § 4(a) Voting Rights 79 Stat. 438, application tests suspended publication statistics Federal Register, suspension lifted later showing discriminatory manner. County States, D.C., 256 903. As fall Yuma subject ban 1965. Oregon Mitchell, 112, 131 n. 12, 260. 24 adversely affected minorities. Because used, Phoenix ghetto approximately 70,000 while affluent all-white area 27,000 residents. Indian reservation northeastern fared little better. justify separate undoubtedly elect representatives legislature, in. Senate. just south senators lived miles apart. Hence, rule invoked split accommodate white senators. 25 yet develop pass muster. draft come malapportioned overrepresent vote. seemingly mean defeat incumbents. efforts gerrymander doubtless prodigious. twin advantages groups disadvantage underrepresentation. That discrimination still exists. 26 On oral argument point initiating design because available. comprehend, appears3 1971 New Jersey completed comprehensive census. shown great patience persevering. probably realize Gordian knot cut satisfies requirements. wait initiates extensive. prize great, prolong matters, go effect. imagine how easy strategy might be. primaries September.4 28 Primaries apart, always plagued cases coming eve remaining needed reflection problems usually presented. recess, week October; note appeal, hear case, decide disrupting virtually impossible. lacking.5 heard decided important issues work spring calendar argued July. waits hold put operation, unlikely schedule met. is, therefore, soon, resolution matter defied solution seven years longer delayed. I write words criticism support steadfast bring stubborn litigation early end. 31 HARLAN concurs premises forth opinions Whitcomb Chavis, 124, 165, 1858, 1881, 363; 152, 260, 279, 272 (1970); 589, 1395 (1964). Throughout litigation, well suffered fate However, taken respect lower concerning issued supplemental decrees modified clarified original order. 827. Apparently law, bill become where, here, signatures Secretary (Ariz.1967). comprising obtained instructing take divide located, thereby obtaining percentage residing directed multiply figure located precinct.' 151—152. Though 16, 1295, '(t)he fact boundaries minimizes contests establish invidiousness,' base solely factor. E.g., 586, 1394, (1964): '(L)egislative primarily determination, relief becomes fails according federal requisites timely fashion so.' contended actual population, determine size operates detriment Mexican-Americans, American Indians. light disposition need advert admonition basis 'perpetuate under-representation entitled participate electoral process,' U.S., 92, 1297, allowable produces resulted permissible basis.' 93, 1297. presume, submitted, certainly faithful requirement. Hearings S. 818, 2456, 2507, Title IV 2029 Subcommittee Constitutional Committee Judiciary, 91st Cong., 1st 2d Sess., 406 (1969—1970). Amendments 314, future Section 201, 315, bars denying right vote federal, state, 'any device' defined, inter alia, include literacy. upheld N. Y. Times, 24, p. 47. Sept. 13. 16—702. Williams Rhodes, 393 5, exceptional case. There Stewart acting Circuit consultation granted injunctive ordering ballots printed Independent Party, losing insure that, prevailed 69. expedited briefing authorized soon Term commenced. Eight handed modifying Had injunction September appellants' victory hollow one. challenge Colorado's durational residency requirement fare well. 292 610, over. dismissed moot. Hall Beals, 396 45, 200, 214. Durational requirements times Term. Hayes Lieutenant Hawaii, Hawaii candidates. late August, Gill, 473 P.2d 872. denied. When finally merits, moot, 401 968, 1200, 319. Sirak Brown denied injunction, 809, 30, 39, plaintiff docket supra. similar Fitzpatrick Board Election Commissioners City Chicago, expedite 905, 882, 803. courts followed Drueding Devlin, 234 721 (D.C.Md.1964), aff'd, 380 125, 85 807, 792, mootness prevented plenary issue. con- cluded subsequent undermined invalidated avoids Ellington Blumstein, 934, 920, 213. Beller Kirk Florida demanding independent candidate obtain 5% sign petition get ballot. Injunctive individual Justices October, subsequently docketed sub nom. Askew, 1360. Jenness Fortson, 5714. Ohio By decision, 318 1262, sections jurisdiction. Gilligan Sweetenham, 991, 1223, 529. loyalty oath Socialist Labor Gilligan, provision requiring candidates file major Sweetenham 790. Pratt Begley, 1044, Eastern Kentucky ruling October. then-forthcoming Chicago parties immediate action. Jackson Ogilvie, nominating petition. stay 904, 642, 803, election. Through stands exceptional, preargument obtained.

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