Document: 380 U.S. 89 85 S.Ct. 775 13 L.Ed.2d 675 Sergeant Herbert N. CARRINGTON, Petitioner,v.Alan V. RASH et al. No. 82. Argued Jan. 28, 1965. Decided March 1, Wayne Windle for petitioner. Hawthorne Phillips and Mrs. Mary K. Wall, Austin, Tex., respondents. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 A provision Texas Constitution prohibits '(a)ny member Armed Forces United States' who moves his home to during course military duty from ever voting in any election that State 'so long as he or she is a Forces.'1 The question presented whether this provision, construed by Supreme Court present case,2 deprives petitioner right secured Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment. decided it does not refused issue writ mandamus ordering petitioner's local officials permit him vote, two Justices dissenting. 378 S.W.2d 304. We granted certiorari, 379 812, 33, 26. 2 petitioner, sergeant States Army, entered service Alabama 1946 at age 18. concedes has been domiciled since 1962, intends make there permanently. He purchased house El Paso where lives with wife children. also proprietor small business there. post Texas, but White Sands, New Mexico. regularly commutes Army job Sands. pays property taxes automobile registered But uniform, would be eligible vote County, Texas. 3 unquestioned power impose reasonable residence restrictions availability ballot. Pope v. Williams, 193 621, 24 573, 48 L.Ed. 817. There can no doubt either historic function establish, on nondiscriminatory basis, accordance Constitution, other qualifications exercise franchise. Indeed, '(t)he have held broad powers determine conditions under which suffrage may exercised.' Lassiter Northampton County Bd. Elections, 360 45, 50, 79 985, 989, 1072. Compare Classic, 313 299, 61 1031, 1368; Ex parte Yarbrough, 110 651, 4 152, 28 274. 'In words, privilege state within jurisdiction itself, exercised direct, upon such terms seem proper, provided, course, discrimination made between individuals, violation Federal Constitution.' supra, 632, 575. This constitutional however, unique.3 said serviceman acquire so remains service. It true treated all members an equal hand. And mere classification, often said, itself deprive group protection. Williamson Lee Optical Co., 348 483, 75 461, 99 563. fact dealing distinct class treats equally end judicial inquiry. 'The courts must reach classifications drawn statute are light its purpose * *.' McLaughlin Florida, 184, 191, 283, 288. 5 argued absolute denial servicemen like fulfills purposes. First, says legitimate interest immunizing elections concentrated balloting personnel, whose collective voice overwhelm civilian community. Secondly, valid protecting franchise infiltration transients, reasonably assume those fall exclusion will only short period time. 6 theory underlying State's first contention necessary prevent danger 'takeover' community resulting large numbers personnel bases placed near towns cities. base commander, suggests, opposes police administration teaching policies schools, might influence men conformity predilections. Local bond issues fail, stagnate low levels because unwilling invest future area. stress—and theme reiterated—that require enrolled bona fide residents if they residents, intention making their indefinitely, they, qualified opportunity political representation. Cf. Gray Sanders, 372 368, 83 801, 9 821. 'Fencing out' sector population way constitutionally impermissible. '(T)he rights vital maintenance democratic institutions,' Schneider Jersey, 308 147, 161, 60 146, 151, 84 155, cannot obliterated fear views particular residents. Yet, what claims done here 7 second argument ban justified transient nature Forces.4 As stated: 'Persons subject times reassignment, hence change actual residence. do elect are. Their reasons being same (those of) permanent residents.' S.W.2d, 306. provides citizen become elector 'resided one (1) year next preceding last six (6) months district county person offers vote.' Article VI, § 2, Constitution. integrity qualification contends protected Forces. 8 involved develop more precise tests fides individual claiming actually enough vote. law reports disclose many cases determined These reviewing actions required 'freely intention' remaining State, Harrison Chesshir, Tex.Civ.App., 316 909, 915. declarations voters concerning intent reside conclusive; look facts circumstances. Stratton Hall, 90 865, 866. By statute,5 deals categories citizens who, soldiers, specialized problems determining Students colleges universities patients hospitals institutions employees Government personnel. them given least show able, areas, winnow successfully ranks fide. In divorce cases, example, requirement jurisdictional purposes, forum county. merely stationed insufficient residence, even though statutory fulfilled. Even declared establish enough. 'However, soldier sailor domicile new one.' Robinson Robinson, 235 228, 230. 10 deal matters close core our system. choose,' 314, 1037, 1368, zealous protect, means, least, casually individuals some remote administrative benefit State. Oyama California, 332 633, 68 269, 92 249. forbidding controvert presumption non-residence, imposes invidious '(T)here indication occupation affords permissible basis distinguishing State.' 380, 808. 11 recognize special acquired emphasize free take adequate steps, States,6 see applicants actualy fulfill requirements goes beyond rules. created definitely conclusive—incapable overcome proof most positive character.' Heiner Donnan, 285 312 324, 52 358, 360, 76 772. All before induction come provision's sweep. Not matter how home. uniform country (must not) badge disfranchisement man woman wears it.'7 12 Reversed. THE CHIEF JUSTICE took part consideration decision case. 14 HARLAN, I. 15 Anyone familiar provisions Amendment, history decisions area, gather today's established tenet laws governing limitations Clause. Yet dispassionate survey past reveal hold. 16 holding totally ignores, did Term's reapportionment Reynolds Sims, 377 533 1362, 506 (and companion cases), Amendment together plainly was intended touch electoral matters. See my dissenting 589, 1395. If prove I think does, we entitled told why. While express surprise over after bound follow continue believe indefensible, respectfully, earnestly, record protest against further extension federal into affairs States. extension. They were concerned methods constituting legislatures; case involves voter qualifications. quite citing them.1 17 deplore added impetus gives current tendency judging questions abstract 'justice' unleashed limiting principles go Constitutionally principled adjudication, high process due recognition just demands federalism, leaves ample room protection rights. democracy order cope seeming needs moment willing temporize basic distribution limitation governmental sooner later find trouble. 18 For set forth length dissent Reynolds, dismiss complaint failure claim right. II. 19 wrong Court's premise extend state-established simply differentiation eligibility founded rational classification. dictates history, seen fit disregard should get all, cause hard striking down traditional policy area rationally indefensible. 20 Essentially establishes rule transients No disputes vast majority Texas' view things accords fact. Although doubtless operate instances contrary facts, prevents ignoring possibility overall picture. could conclude likely too minimal justify expenditure coping 'special problems' (ante p. 96) entailed winnowing out among living off sending children schools. 21 Beyond this, distinction voluntarily connection private occupations ordered authority. Residences latter doubt, degree former, when compulsion ends, desire remain 22 finally, American notion control always kept hands emphasized own historical experience,2 decide protect politics influences strength by, effect, postponing otherwise attaching serviceacquired until becomes counties original domicile.3 Such unduly provincial modern conditions, cannot, view, unconstitutional. 23 Thus, case, judgment disturbed. Art. Vernon's Ann.St.; 'Any component branches thereof, States, resided time entering Forces.' implemented 5.02 Election Code V.A.T.S. provides, part: 'Notwithstanding section, thereof active restriction applies duty, phrase 'time service' means commencing duty. re-enlistment temporary separation termination prior enlistment shall commencement service, service.' Mabry Davis, 232 F.Supp. 930 (D.C.W.D.Texas 1964), three-judge court recently unconstitutional violating self-evident amendment resident acquiring different another 304, 305. (Emphasis supplied.) rules prescribe qualifying none far com- pletely foreclose nonresidents induction. One Nevada, face seems prohibitory Nevada that: enjoyed persons, same, naval States; votes cast apply township entry Nev.Const. 3. Attorney General interpreted mean 'clear unequivocal evidence.' Op.Atty.Gen.Nev. 194, 197 (1961—1962). Under Voting Assistance Act 1955, 69 Stat. 584, Department Defense collects distributes analysis applied servicemen. 1964 report states: 'For purposes legal generally unless certain met. Almost except persons jurisdiction. When accomplished, old lost.' Information 1964, Defense, p.x. Constitutional treat specially, absolutely prohibit Georgia 'shall reason Const., 2—702, art. par. 2; Indiana 3; Oregon II, 5; Code, Tit. 17, 17. Other distinguish live base, homes Restatement, Conflict Laws 21, Comment c. designed prohibiting than disqualification Prior 1954, included 'classes allowed State': '5. marines seamen employed Navy States.' clause eliminated, according annotator's notes, 'confer regular establishment Civ.Stat. (1964 Supp.). 1954 amendment, section voters. Tex.Civ.Stat. (Election Code) 5.08. note 3, supra. Message Governor Ellis Arnall Assembly Georgia, (January 1944). None rely lends support decision. 817, upheld Maryland year. vote: 'It springing citizenship account race, color, previous condition servitude, (obviously referring Fifteenth Amendment). prescribed regarded others unreasonable U.S., 632 575—576. Bd., 1072, literacy test North Carolina attack face. noted 'Of test, fair face, perpetuate uproot.' 53, S.Ct., 991. added.) 821, struck Georgia's county-unit system counting party primary nomination Senator. dealt stuffing ballot boxes, 274, intimidation Negroes attempting Neither cited voting. 1837 Republic 9, provided 'That enlisted volunteers war, civil officers.' 8, Gammel, 1350. 'This inspired mutinous conduct nonresident had recruited Battle San Jacinto. defied provisional government occasion July, 1836, sent officer arrest President David G. Burnett cabinet bring trial army. continued rebellious Sam Houston became president 1836. May, 1837, able dissolve army eliminate threat disfranchising soldiers 1845 remained each succeeding constitution. modified 1932 exempt National Guard reserve retired officers men.' McCall, History Laws, Ann.Tex.Civ.Stat., XVII—XVIII (1952). similar early constitutions Alabama, Const. 1819, III, Arkansas, IV, Indiana, 1816, 1; Louisiana, 1845, 12; Missouri, 1820, 10; South Carolina, 1790 (as amended 1810), I, 4; Virginia, 1830, 14. replaced provision. Tex.Const., quoted opinion, ante, n. 1.

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