Document: 394 U.S. 358 89 S.Ct. 1101 22 L.Ed.2d 336 Sallie M. HADNOTT et al., Appellants,v.Mabel S. AMOS, etc., al. No. 647. Argued Jan. 21, 1969. Decided March 25, [Syllabus from 359 intentionally omitted] Charles Morgan, Jr., Atlanta, Ga., for appellants. L. Drew Redden, Birmingham, Ala., appellees. Perry Hubbard, Tuscaloosa, appellee, Judge James Dennis Herndon. Louis F. Claiborne, Washington, D.C., United States, as amicus curiae, by special leave of Court. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion 1 This suit is a class action brought National Democratic Party Alabama (NDPA) and some its officers candidates in 1968 general election against state officials who had refused to include various NDPA on ballot county statewide offices. As complaint sought an injunction enforcement statutes federal constitutional grounds, three-judge court was impaneled. 28 U.S.C. § 2281. 2 The District Court entered temporary restraining order. Thereafter appellees filed their answer challenging, inter alia, qualifications because failure satisfy certain specified requirements law. On October 11, 1968, after hearing merits, court, divided vote, dissolved upheld face applied all challenged statutes. 3 Appellants appealed this (28 1253) 14 we restored Court's order, saying: 'The application restoration relief granted pending oral argument application, which set Friday, 18, at 9:00 a.m. case placed summary calendar.' And 19, additional order providing part: 4 14, restoring continued upon jurisdictional statement has been filed.' 5 candidates, mostly Negroes, were elected local offices Etowah, Marengo, Sumter Counties. But Greene County office left off except absentee voters. In only appearing regular nominees they received between 1,699 1,709 votes each. It appears that would have won ballot1 1,938 ballots marked 'straight ticket.' 6 November 15 appellants motion show cause why D. Herndon, Probate Judge, County,2 should not be held contempt aside new one held. Later States moved issued rule results enjoined. stayed giving effect election. 7 We heard hold Herndon contempt. merits appeal, reverse. 8 First. Corrupt Practices Act requires each candidate within five days 'after announcement his candidacy any office' file showing 'the name less than nor more persons' chosen receive, expend, audit, disburse funds Ala.Code, Tit. 17, 274 (1958). 9 disqualification alleged provision implicates responsible preparation omitted names. 10 black designated finance committees February prior entry primary. Appellees contend it sufficient justify Herndon's omission names did second designation financial committee May 7, date primary, those nominated NDPA. reason constituted discriminatory violation Equal Protection Clause. Since white primary ballot, although also date, clearly burden justifying denial places candidates. failed burden.3 11 law office, selected primaries, mass meeting first Tuesday year. §§ 413, 414 certificate nomination sent probate judge County, September 4, stated pursuant meeting. 12 18 temporarily restrained office. That restraint 11. Meanwhile counsel solicitor, prompted affidavit he 'best (his) knowledge belief' no nominations made, further none six 'filed or offered required Act. Yet when deposition taken December 27, conceded might without about admitted designations February. He say these circumstances filing suffice election; refer candidacies well election.4 Nor offer explanation if filings sufficed election, treated differently. record therefore utterly devoid adequate appellees' burden. true suggested courts construe statutory words—'(w)ithin * shall (the statement) with probate'—to require losers stand another party. urged, could record, distinction rested construction. 13 deal here Fifteenth Amendment rights guarantee right people regardless race, color, previous condition servitude cast effectively First band together advancement political beliefs. Williams v. Rhodes, 393 23, 5, 21 24. While regulation corrupt practices elections important governmental function, refuse accept reading gives such loose meaning words discretionary authority Amendments subject disparate treatment. risk compounded where penalty irrevocable striking notice opportunity contest correction. When construed appellants' opponents allowed suffering disqualification, conclude met same requirements. Unequal different racial groups especially invidious connotation. Second. 1967 passed Garrett (L.1967, 243) barring state, district, 'who does declaration intention become secretary before day year held.' party whose seeks; will run independent. A like bars judges printing unless 1. Accordingly, Counties, justifies ground comply 16 Prior Act, every desiring 348 Independents exempt requirement able get May. Id. 414. result independent decide whether time made determination. 17 question affected Voting Rights 1965, 79 Stat. 439, 42 1973c (1964 ed., Supp. III), provides whenever seek administer 'any voting qualification prerequisite voting, standard, practice, procedure respect force 1, 1964,' State may institute Columbia declaratory judgment 'such qualification, prerequsite, purpose denying abridging vote account race color.' provided until 'no person denied prerequisite, procedure.'5 respects material fours Whitley Williams, 544, 817, added Mississippi Code approved two ways 1965. 19 dealt which, changed petityion 40 60 befor 20 1965 aimed 'at increasing difficulty gain position 834. Ct., change 'might undermine effectiveness voters wish elect candidates.' Ibid. increased barriers Alabama's likewise bring purview Federal officials, therefore, acted unlawfully disqualifying reverse remand directions (1) issue appropriate requiring prevailing can idates Counties duly ran; (2) promptly conduct contested candidates,6 respective positions appear ballot. disposed separate opinion. 399, 1107, 367. 23 so ordered. 24 Reversed remanded. 25 BLACK took part consideration decision case. 26 WHITE, whom STEWART joins, dissenting part. 27 I understand arguments case, suggest whatever reasons given excluding exclusion below are sustainable least said, became candidates* but when, losing announced under banner If statute, think unconstitutional. Of course, date. frivolous statute instance, does, matter interpretation other issues agree ran Negro candidates—60 out 67. Negroes age numerical majority—5,001 Negro, 1,649 white, according 1960 census. Under responsibility preparing used State's counties. After notifying certified list her Secretary then notified willingness 5. According State, complied time. form itself instructions back make clear fulfills 'nomination election.' typical filed, printed opinion, named 'for aiding promoting my (Emphasis supplied.) Moreover, backside both 'candidates offices' state: 'A copy Judge(s) meet Section Title 1940, amended (Corrupt Act), himself (rather committee) intends report monies contains alternative submitting charged provisions Attorney General, enforceable General object. At were, Solicitor concedes, 'in terms directed Primary, rather read relevant follows: 'I hereby declare myself (or election) Primary Elections Tuesday, 7th May, 4th June, Commissioner (District, Circuit applicable) #1 (Place Number, 'If am Record, do certify Declaration Candidacy disbarment suspension. appoint (and appointment) sole audit contributed, donated, subscribed, way furnished raised said accordance Sections 275 1950, Act). added.) 'Vassie Knott '(Signature Candidate).' These Districts 2, 3, Places Board Education.

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