Document: 394 U.S. 814 89 S.Ct. 1493 23 L.Ed.2d 1 James L. MOORE et al., Appellants,v.Richard B. OGILVIE, etc., al. No. 620. Argued March 27, 1969. Decided May 5, Richard F. Watt, Chicago, Ill., for appellants. John J. O'Toole and E. Friedman, appellees. Opinion of the Court by Mr. Justice DOUGLAS, announced BRENNAN. This is a suit declaratory relief an injunction, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201, 2202, brought appellants who are independent candidates offices electors President Vice United States from Illinois. The defendants or appellees members Illinois Electoral Board. Ill.Rev.Stat. c. 46, § 7—14. In 1968 filed with petitions containing names 26,500 qualified voters desired that be nominated. ruled could not certified to county clerks November election because proviso added in 1935 statute requiring at least 25,000 sign petition nominate such candidates. reads: 2 '* * included aggregate total signatures 200 each 50 counties.' Ill.Rev.Stat., 10—3 (1967). 3 A three-judge District was convened, 2281, 2284, which, feeling bound MacDougall v. Green, 335 281, 69 1, 93 L.Ed. 3, dismissed complaint failure state cause action. 293 F.Supp. 411. case here on appeal. 1253. 4 On October 8, 1968, same day docketed, motion advance expedite hearing disposition this cause. Appellees opposed motion. 14, we entered following order: 5 'Because representation State 'It would physical impossibility' 'to effectuate which seek,' 'Motion Advance Expedite Hearing Disposition Cause' denied. Fortas grant motion.' 393 814, 138, 21 90. 6 urged dismiss since has been held, there no possibility granting any appeal should dismissed. But while over, burden supra, allowed placed nomination statewide remains controls future elections, as long maintains her present system she done 1935. problem therefore 'capable repetition, yet evading review,' Southern Pacific Terminal Co. Interstate Commerce Commission, 219 498, 515, 31 279, 283, 55 310. need its resolution thus reflects continuing controversy federalstate area where our 'one man, one vote' decisions have thrust. We turn then merits. 7 Green indistinguishable controversy. allegations were 52% State's registered residents Cook County alone, 87% 49 most populous counties, only 13% resided 53 counties. argument nominating procedure so weighted violates Equal Protection Clause. 8 Today, contrast, 93.4% reside 6.6% resident remaining constitutional argument, however, same. 9 Five held 'the power assure proper diffusion political initiative between thinly populated counties those having concentrated masses, view fact latter practical opportunities exerting their weight polls available former.' U.S., 284, 3. Three dissented ground violated One member voted exercise Court's jurisdiction equity resolve dispute. 10 While majority cited Colegrove 328 549, 66 1198, 90 1432, authority denying few took part put type question 'political' distinguished 'justiciable' category, 552, 1199 matter authoritatively resolved Baker Carr, 369 186, 202, 82 691, 702, 663. When makes classifications favor some over other justiciable presented. 198—204, 699—703. 11 struck down Georgia county-unit primary said: 12 'How can person given twice times voting another merely he lives ar ural smallest rural county? Once geographical unit representative chosen designated, all participate equal vote whatever race, sex, occupation, income, wherever home may unit. required Clause Fourteenth Amendment.' Gray Sanders, 372 368, 379, 83 801, 808, 821. 13 Reynolds Sims, 377 533, 84 1362, 506, apportionment representatives senators among districts deprive more proportionate share senators. 14 'The right freely candidate one's choice essence democratic society, restrictions strike heart government. And suffrage denied debasement dilution citizen's just effectively wholly prohibiting free franchise.' 555, S.Ct., 1378. 15 said enough indicate why out line recent cases. use independents obtain place ballot integral elective system. See People ex rel. Board Election Commissioners, 221 Ill. 9, 18, 77 N.W. 321, 323. All procedures used process must pass muster against charges discrimination abridgment vote. Classic, 313 299, 314—318, 61 1031, 1037 1039, 85 1368; Smith Allwright, 321 649, 664, 64 757, 765, 88 897. 16 Dusch Davis, 387 112, 87 1554, 18 656, relevant case. There councilman borough elected. Like residence requirement multi-district (Fortson Dorsey, 379 433, 401), did mark unit; city councilman. 17 It answer under law designed require support launching new party rather than localities. applies rigid, arbitrary formula sparsely settled alike, contrary theme equality citizens rights. idea group granted greater strength hostile basis Under electorate contain form ballot. Yet properly distributed elect office. discriminates sections. It, therefore, lacks rights entitled Amendment. 19 overruled. 20 Reversed. STEWART, whom HARLAN joins, dissenting. 22 I cannot join casual extension voter, slogan involves neither voters, votes, nor even ongoing First all, moot. action prospective 'candidates Electors Vice-President general tob e 1968.' now history, relating outcome sought. absence assertion intent election, reference cases involving 'continuing controversies' parties wide mark. Cf. Golden Zwickler, 103, 956, 113. simply judicially cognizable dispute Since, reaches conclusion, shall briefly reasons my disagreement holding 24 legislative cases, upon places entire reliance, decided theory residing 'underrepresented' electoral protection. 25 'Overweighting overvaluation votes living certain effect undervaluation there.' 563, 1382, 506. 26 case, sued They claim impairment interests they might voters; indeed, contains allegation them voter. Undeterred appellants' explain how themselves protection, hold 'discriminates sections.' 'residents State' asserted rights, decision represents best advisory vindication involved 27 Even if Illinois' 'populous counties' actually represented here, conclusion still completely unjustified. offspring situations 'debasement' 'dilution' found 'certain' result population variations districts. before us, injury suffered heavily areas favored able secure absolutely indication record not, had made effort, easily satisfied 50-county, 200-signature requirement. Indeed, suggestion drew 'populous' 'rural.' rationale Sims does control Any reliance Williams Rhodes, 23, 24, also misplaced. That Ohio 433,000 persons—15% electorate—before appear Here, represent about one-half percent number voters—a percentage permissible, hope, Rhodes Nor do make showing securing less half comparable Rhodes. 29 sustaining very statutory issue,1 pursued 'allowable policy (of) requir(ing) office limited locality.' Id., 2. seems me sound today it time decision.2 is, fact, unlike p two Terms ago district-residence imposed municipal officers despite nevertheless reasonably 'reflect(ing) detente urban communities *.' 117, 1556. Lucas Forty-Fourth General Assembly, 713, 744, 1459, 1477, 632 (Stewart, J., dissenting); 589, 1395 (Harlan, dissenting). 30 respectfully dissent. 10—2, position parties; 10—3, imposes identical signature requirements various offices, sought presidential electors. U.S.Const., Art. II, 1: 'Each appoint, Manner Legislature thereof direct, Number Electors, whole Senators Representatives Congress (Emphasis added.)

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