Document: 339 U.S. 276 70 S.Ct. 641 94 L.Ed. 834 SOUTH et al.v.PETERS, Chairman of the Georgia State Democratic Executive Committee, al. No. 724. On Jurisdictional Statement and Motion to Dismiss or Affirm April 5, 1950. Decided 17, Rehearing Denied May 15, See 959, 980. Mr. Hamilton Douglas, Jr., Atlanta, Ga., for appellants. Messrs. Eugene Cook, M. H. Blackshear, Dublin, F. Goldstein, B. D. Murphy, appellees. PER CURIAM. 1 The statute which appellants attack as violative Fourteenth Seventeenth Amendments provides that county unit votes shall determine outcome a primary election.1 Each is allotted number votes, ranging from six eight most populous counties, two counties. candidate who receives highest popular vote in awarded appropriate votes. Appellants, residents state, contend their those all other voters have on average but one-tenth weight Urging this amounts an unconstitutional discrimination against them, brought suit restrain adherence forthcoming Party United States Senator, Governor state offices. 2 court below dismissed appellants' petition. We affirm. Federal courts consistently refuse exercise equity powers cases posing political issues arising state's geographical distribution electoral strength among its subdivisions. MacDougall v. Green, 1948, 335 281, 69 1; Colegrove 1946, 328 549, 66 1198, 90 1432; Wood Broom, 1932, 287 1, 8, 53 3, 77 131; cf. Johnson Stevenson, 5 Cir., 170 F.2d 108. 3 Affirmed. 4 Justice DOUGLAS, with whom BLACK concurs, dissenting. I suppose if reduced Negroes, Catholics, Jews so each got only vote, we would strike law down. right was held Nixon Herndon, 273 536, 47 446, 71 759, be covered by Equal Protection Clause Amendment. And where, Georgia, party election integral part machinery, it protected Fifteenth Smith Allwright, 321 649, 64 757, 88 987, 151 A.L.R. 1110. see Classic, 313 299, 61 1031, 85 1368. Under both discriminations based race, creed color fall beyond pale. 6 Yet there evidence case showing Georgia's County Unit System consolidating elections makes equally invidious discrimination. nomination does not go gets majority plurality Votes are counted county. winner designated votes—six four next populous, rest. 7 Plaintiffs registered county—Fulton County. They complain will drastically reduce voting strength. 8 show one worth over 120 times 45 counties given twenty theirs. state-wide outside Fulton 11 plaintiffs. 9 Population figures heavy Negro population large cities. There testimony record areas Negroes been able important numbers. heavily disenfranchises urban population. has indeed called 'last loophole' around our decisions holding must no because race well general elections. 10 racial angle emphasizes bite decision sustains voting. citizens more plain. Because they city folks power eleventh hundred twentieth citizens. can way save classification under Clause. creation favored groups grant them preferred rights worst democratic system government. constitutional infirmities. Article I, § Constitution members House Representatives 'chosen' people. Amendment Senators 'elected people.' These extend where procedure choosing fact effectively controls choice. supra. In June 28, 1950, Senator nominated. Certainly like equivalent election, travesty say true sense comes later. 12 than mark piece paper drop box pull lever booth. includes ballot counted. supra; Ex parte Yarborough, 110 651, 152, 28 274. It also at full value without dilution discount. Saylor, 322 385, 1101, 1341. That federally suffers substantial case. group favor discounted. 13 1432, had before us involving division Illinois into congressional districts such gross inequalities resulted. Citizens populated sued enjoin officials governing districts. argument, persuasive three Court, issue presented nature justiciable, effort get federal 'to reconstruct process order may adequately represented councils Nation.' 552, 1199, 1432. Court closely divided refused interfere provisions formation new party. force argument question present justiciable. 14 sue individuals enforce origin relating action. But Holmes said same supra, page 540, 'little play upon words' call therefore nonjusticiable one. seek personal individual. Moreover, decree need enter collide either Congress election. remapped politically. legislature take action after decree. necessity supervise change alteration place time, ballots used, regulations govern conduct. wrong done takes impact tallying determination what names ballot. interference processes greater here when boxes stuffed tampering occurs correct practice. related considerations, led Rutledge conclude Green should lacking here. time act, since Relief certain. No conflict any policy possible. overhauling State's process. 15 importance plaintiffs appear be. undermines advances made Nixon, Allwright cases. Those defeated device deeply rooted practice keeps man booth his creed, fails count cast. 16 plaintiffs' justified equality unnecessary Senators. Thus pointed out some states conventions. proves too much. If premise allowed, then whole ground cut insisted equality. Indeed tenable Fourteenth, nominations elections, inequality reason Ga.Code Ann. 34-3212 seq. (1936). Although particular enacted 1917, basis scheme first constitution 1777.

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