Document: 385 U.S. 440 87 S.Ct. 569 17 L.Ed.2d 501 Richard H. M. SWANN et al., Appellants,v.Tom ADAMS, Secretary of State Florida al. No. 136. Argued Dec. 6, 1966. Decided Jan. 9, 1967. Rehearing Denied See 997, 699. D. P. S. Paul, Miami, Fla., for appellants. Earl Faircloth, appellees. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case presents still another development in efforts to apportion its legislature accordance with requirements Federal Constitution. There have been previous chapters this story. The litigation began 1962. On June 22, 1964, Swann v. Adams, 378 553, 84 1904, 12 1033, we reversed judgment three-judge District Court upholding then-current legislative apportionment and remanded further proceedings, consistent Court's Reynolds Sims, 377 533, 1362, 506, companion cases. then deferred action until conclusion session which convened on April 1965. proceeded reapportion 29, forthwith held new plan failed meet Fourteenth Amendment but approved an interim basis, limiting it period ending 60 days after adjournment 1967 Legislature. Court, finding no warrant perpetuating what all conceded was unconstitutional three years, so that a valid reapportionment would be made effective 1966 elections. 383 210, 86 767, 15 707. Legislature again acted matter March by adopting appellants promptly attacked 2 provides 48 senators 117 representatives, includes effect are multimember districts each house. senate range from 87,595 114,053 population per senator, or 15.09% overrepresented 10.56% underrepresented. ratio between largest smallest district is thus 1.30 1. deviation average senator greater than 15% one senatorial district, 14% five more 10% six other districts. Approximately 25% State's living quarter total number underrepresented at least 10%. minimum percentage persons could elect majority 25 48.38%. 3 In house representative ranges 34,584 48,785 18.28% 15.27% 1.41 Two vary norm 18% 15%, these having seven representatives. Ten 22 representatives 29 representatives; 24.35% lives 59 47.79%. 4 recognized 'apportionment must substantially basis' '(m)athematical exactness precision not required.' It went hold '(s)uch departures as there ideal sufficient great enough percentages require upsetting plan. * (W)hat does discriminate any extent against section state either rural urban interests.' 258 F.Supp. 819, 826, 827. Accordingly, constitutional. 5 us dismiss lack standing part maintain appeal because Dade County, Florida, concede has received constitutional treatment under Appellants, however, had before their own accorded different County some respects compared plan, alternative rejected Moreover, apparently consistently denied intervention plaintiffs, seemingly treating representing citizens State. challenge cannot succeed. 6 We reverse failure present articulate acceptable reasons variations among populations various respect both supra, mathematical required plans. De minimis deviations unavoidable, 30% 40% can hardly deemed de none our cases suggests differences magnitude will without satisfactory explanation grounded policy. contrary, limited allowable those minor 'are based legitimate considerations incident effectuation rational policy.' 579, 1391. Thus indicate pure standard might justified such policy integrity political subdivisions, maintenance compactness contiguity recognition natural historical boundary lines. Likewise, Roman Sincock, 695, 710, 1449, 1458, 620, stated Constitution permits 'such only may occur recognizing certain factors free taint arbitrariness discrimination.' 7 relies Forty-fourth General Assembly Colorado Lucas, 379 693, 85 715, 13 699; Burnette Davis, 382 42, 181, 35; Harrison Schaefer, 269, 929, 750, were curiam affirmances lower court judgments plans involved equal revealed apportionment, reason here should affirmed. But issue validity raised ruled upon occasion explore whether ample justification challenged variations. And Lucas Colorado, 713, 727, 734—735, 1459, 1472—1473, 632, expressly reserved decision variance 1.7 event, fact variation little bearing similar 'What marginally permissible unsatisfactory another, depending particular circumstances case.' 578, 1390. 8 As comes reverse. attempt explain justify many State, suggested close 'practical' complete equality attempting follow congressional was, deviations, even larger ones, considerations. brief states followed 'in most instances' boundaries, 'practicality' seems quite obvious come much closer providing did. themselves placed smaller did Furthermore, specific amendments which, if they accepted, measurably reduced Appellants' infirm do demonstrate approximation equally populated feasible undertaking. admirable candor, offered evidence senate. view, record is. 9 think better view taken Maryland disapproved involving overrepresentation 14.90% underrepresentation 14.38% because, Judge Sobeloff said, 'no showing difference one-third unavoidable legally ground.' Citizens Committee Fair Congressional Redistricting, Inc. Tawes, D.C., 253 731, 733. Compare League Nebraska Municipalities Marsh, 24 357, disapproving 1.6 absent Paulson Meier, 246 36, found 1.39 unjustified basis 10 complain aspects besides unequally Under statute run election allowed finish terms expiring 1968. These senators, noted, elected identical territory Also, seats subject residency requirements. invidious discrimination Appellants also claim discriminates invidiously underrepresenting populous counties overrepresenting sparsely settled houses. below 'what light disposition case, need reach decide additional issues, although note Sims indicates impropriety maintaining principle deference area economic group interests. 579—580, 1390—1391. 11 Reversed. HARLAN, whom STEWART joins, dissenting. laid down 'one man, vote' mandate structuring legislatures, recognized, today, 'mathematical required,' ante, 443, *.' U.S., S.Ct., 1391, cited, 444. refuses, accept Florida's us, neither nor relatively 14 holding me stand head usual rule governing approach enactments, well federal, is, course, strong presumption regularity constitutionality. See, e.g., Butler Commonwealth Pennsylvania, How. 402, L.Ed. 472; Davis Department Labor Industries Washington, 317 249, 63 225, 246; Flemming Nestor, 363 603, 80 1367, 1435. I believe burden every aspect complex completely restructuring legislature, pain being declared constitutionally invalid judiciary. law analogous invalidity attaching enactment admitted competence superior experience. unconstitutionality left here, cases, attacking party. affirm grounds (1) enacted substantial compliance (2) shown purpose for, flowing from,

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