Document: 410 U.S. 679 93 S.Ct. 1211 35 L.Ed.2d 627 Paul N. MARSTON et al.v.Anita X. LEWIS and Catherine Mandt. No. 72—899. March 19, 1973. PER CURIAM. 1 Fourteen county recorders other public officials of Arizona appeal from a judgment three-judge district court holding the State's 50-day durational voter residency requirement its registration unconstitutional under decision in Dunn v. Blumstein, 405 330, 92 995, 31 274 (1972).1 A permanent injunction was entered against enforcement these or any greater-than-30-day requirements election held after November 1972. Appellants do not seek review District Court's insofar as it enjoins application presidential elections. See Voting Rights Act Amendments 1970, 84 Stat. 316, 42 U.S.C. § 1973aa—1.2 assert, however, that requirements, applied to special, primary, general elections involving state local officials, are supported by sufficiently strong interests pass constitutional muster. We agree reverse. 2 In we struck down Tennessee's one year State three months county. recognized person does have federal right walk up voting place on day demand ballot. States valid sufficient providing for some period time—prior an election—in order prepare adequate records protect electoral processes possible frauds. year, even months, found too long, particularly context 'the Tennessee lawmakers,' who had set cutoff point (at) 30 days before . ..' U.S., at 349, 1006. The scheme, stands different light. is only 50 days, months. Moreover, unlike Tennessee's, tied closing process prior reflects legislative necessary achieve legitimate goals. 3 accept judgment, light realities Arizona's procedures. Those procedures, apparently first adopted during Populist Era, rely 'massive' volunteer deputy registrar system. See, Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann. 16—141. According appellants' testimony, although volunteers make convenient voters, they average 1.13 mistakes per recorder must correct those certifying 'completeness correctness' each precinct register. 16—155. Court itself noted there were estimates 'in Maricopa County alone, 4,400 registered voters might be denied vote if list error percent.' 4 An additional complicating factor procedures fall primary uncontradicted testimony demonstrates weeks preceding deadline elections—a marked curve toward 'peak' terms affidavits received their staffs unable incoming because work primaries. It primaries over can return accumulated backlog undertake them accordance with applicable statutory requirements. 5 On basis evidence Court, clear has demonstrated (for officials) permit preparation accurate lists. said Blumstein '(f)ixing constitutionally acceptable surely matter degree. note here appears ample time complete whatever administrative tasks prevent fraud—and much.' 348, present case, confronted recent amply justifiable rather than promote important interest Constitution so rigid determination others like may stand. 6 been appealed from, reversed. 7 Reversed. 8 Mr. Justice MARSHALL, whom DOUGLAS BRENNAN concur, dissenting. 9 1006 (1972), just last Term, 30-day provided 'an fraud' registration. made facts Congress similar vice-presidential elections, 1973aa—1(a)(6), roughly half periods length, 1972—1973 Book 36—37 (as decision), thh needed determine relatively easy find. hearing about burdens Arizona, appellants no longer same tasks. I find nothing record leads me conclude this erroneous. 10 relies two factors justify period. First, system result many errors correction requires 45 days. But occur registrars inadequately trained central supervision data-control well organized. 'under conditions, least forty-five required free possible' (emphasis added). This justified refusal enjoin operation statute appellant Marston's directed almost exclusively what considered readily solvable problems caused untrained personnel small office. presented improvements administration system, including earlier recruitment better training data-processing offices, could next election. If, Dunn, 'cannot choose means which unnecessarily burden restrict protected activity,' carry 'a heavy justification,' 343, 1003, show cannot, administration, eliminate my view, correctly concluded demonstrating compelling interest' requirement. 11 second 'complicating factor' need inerrupt processing filed new registrants Here showed use staffs. obvious recorders' increased temporarily deal 'complication.' Certainly method less seriously vote. 'And other, reasonable ways goals lesser activity, way greater interference.' supra, S.Ct., 1003. 12 addition, established register compliance 1973aa—1(d), impose such qualify vicepresidential but given absentee ballots. eliminates necessity separate Any inability misspellings, alphabetize lists, lived—the difficulties mentioned testimony*—could eliminated treatment late all And did appear polls, fears deterring delays polling places would disappear. 13 Even below limitation possibly removed, newly arrived voters. General affect every State. Durational much smaller class potential registering members will therefore significantly smaller. Further, otherwise eligible comply he acts diligence, thought impair substantially bar participation Serious severe impairment, total highest order. 14 short, produced abundantly supports conclusion failed justifying reasonably available restrictive alternatives. If drawn line beyond reliance inconvenience extremely questionable, avoid unprincipled numbers game insist deviations drawn, mature consideration, far more substantial appellants. affirm Court. appear, respectively, §§ 16—101, subsec. A, par. 16—107. These provisions enacted our Blumstein. Appellees resident County. Section 1973aa—1 withstood attack Oregon Mitchell, 400 112, 91 260, 27 272 (1970). * Appellant Marston testified difficulty locating proper precincts school districts registrant. Again, pertains 1972, several nonrecurring facts: recently 'cleansed' dropping everyone rolls requiring re-registration voter; redistricted; rescheduling board transitional problems. Difficulties determining simple reprograming computer used registrars. Now simply indicates address form inconsistent; difficult programer precinct. And, testified, his task 'on-line' cards through 'batch'

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