Document: 384 U.S. 672 86 S.Ct. 1728 16 L.Ed.2d 848 Martha CARDONA, Appellant,v.James M. POWER et al. No. 673. Argued April 18, 1966. Decided June 13, Paul O'Dwyer, New York City, for appellant. Samuel A. Hirshowitz, appellees. Mr. Justice BRENNAN, delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case was argued with Katzenbach v. Morgan, 641, 1731, 828, also decided today. We there sustained constitutionality § 4(e) Voting Rights Act 1965, and held that, by force Supremacy Clause as provided in 4(e), State York's English literacy requirement cannot be enforced against persons who had successfully completed a sixth grade education public school in, or private accredited by, Commonwealth Puerto Rico which language instruction other than English. In this case, adjudicated courts before enactment appellant unsuccessfully sought judicial determination that requirement, applied to deny her right vote all elections, violated Federal Constitution. 2 Appellant born educated has lived City since about 1948. On July 23, 1963, she attempted register vote, presenting evidence United States citizenship, age residence; represented although able read write Spanish, could not satisfy requirement. The Board Elections refused voter solely on ground literate then brought proceeding state court its members. She alleged invalid under Constitution an order directing duly qualified voter, or, alternative, administer test Spanish language, and, if passed test, voter. trial denied relief prayed Court Appeals, three judges dissenting, affirmed. N.Y.2d 639, 261 N.Y.S.2d 78, 209 N.E.2d 119, remittitur amended, 708, 827, 900, 556, 210 458. noted probable jurisdiction. 382 1008, 614, 15 524. 3 Although appellant's complaint alleges attended Rico, it is therein nor have we been clearly informed any way whether, required Commonwealth.* If such school, failure would no longer bar registration light our decision today Morgan. might therefore moot; need terms accomplished result sought. Cf., e.g., Dinsmore Southern Express Co., 183 115, 119—120, 22 45, 46, 46 L.Ed. 111. Moreover, even were specifically covered should first instance determine federal enactment, those applications prohibited continuing validity. vacate judgment, without costs either party Court, remand cause Appeals further proceedings may deem appropriate. 4 It so ordered. 5 Judgment vacated remanded. 6 DOUGLAS, whom FORTAS concurs, dissenting. 7 American ancestry, but illiterate hence barred from voting statute. 8 I doubt wise prerequisite exercise franchise. Literacy intelligence are synonymous. experience nations1 like India, where returned office responsible governments over again, emphasizes ability necessary intelligent use ballot. Yet problem what unwise. issues constitutional power more confined. A broad powers elections; say unconstitutional condition ballot write. That only teaching Lassiter Northampton Election Board, 360 79 985, 1072. But multi-racial multi-linguistic nation; groups country versatile French, Japanese, Chinese, example, others Many them constitute communities widespread organs communication one tongues—such newspapers, magazines, radio, television regularly report comment matters political interest concern. Such Spanish-language newspapers periodicals flourish radio broadcasts reads listens to. Before taking up residence voted gubernatorial, legislative, municipal elections. And equal protection question whether much presumed medium. 9 law permits English-speaking qualify passing test2 certificate showing completion approved elementary instruction.3 Spanish-speaking person, appellant, offered Spanish. Her recourse Rico;4 prior instruction. heavier burden placed my view sustained, Equal Protection Fourteenth Amendment. 10 deal here again called 'fundamental matter free democratic society.' Reynolds Sims, 377 533, 561—562, 84 1362, 12 506; Harper Virginia Elections, 383 663, 667, 1079, 1083, 169. Where classifications 'invade restrain' fundamental rights liberties, they must 'closely scrutinized carefully confined.' supra, at 670, 1083. Our philosophy removal unwise laws left ballot, courts, requires restricted attempted. little profits people can changed legislation Albany Washington, D.C., participating process selecting legislatures. reason why far sterner when law—whether federal—abridges right.5 11 York, said, registers six years classroom medium pass test. view, rational basis—considering importance stake—for denying equivalent qualifications except Thus has, quite apart legislation, parity citizen—either through Rican language. electors. * Presumably predominant English, thus element satisfied. grade, entitled 168 Law, McKinney's Consol.Laws, c. 17. See n. 2, ante. last quarter century demonstration point, fast overcoming illiteracy problem. 1940 31.5% illiterate. rate reduced 13.8% 1965. Selected Indices Social Economic Progress: Fiscal Years 1939—40, 1947—48 1964—65 (Puerto Bureau Analysis) 7—8. During period elected highly progressive officials. Section 168(1), Consolidated Laws Ann., Law. Id., 168(2). Ibid. Thornhill Alabama, 310 88, 95—96, 60 736, 740, 1093; Thomas Collins, 323 516, 530, 65 315, 89 430; Ashton Kentucky, 195, 1407, 469.

Category: 1