Document: 479 U.S. 189 107 S.Ct. 533 93 L.Ed.2d 499 Ralph MUNRO, Secretary of State Washingtonv.SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY et al. No. 85-656. Argued Oct. 7, 1986. Decided Dec. 10, Syllabus A Washington statute (§ 29.18.110) requires that a minor-party candidate for office receive at least 1% all votes cast in the State's primary election before candidate's name will be placed on general ballot. Appellee Peoples qualified to ballot as nominee appellee Socialist Workers Party (Party) United States Senator. At primary, he received less than total office, and, accordingly, his was not Peoples, Party, and registered voters then brought an action Federal District Court, alleging § 29.18.110 violated their rights under First Fourteenth Amendments. The Court denied relief, but Appeals reversed, holding 29.18.110, applied candidates statewide offices, unconstitutional. Held: Section is constitutional. Pp. 193-199. (a) have right require make preliminary showing substantial support order qualify place Jenness v. Fortson, 403 431, 91 1970, 29 554; American Texas White, 415 767, 94 1296, 39 744. Pp.193-194. (b) fact Washington's political history evidences no voter confusion from overcrowding does invalidation 29.18.110. required prove actual confusion, overcrowding, or presence frivolous predicate imposing reasonable access restrictions. In any event, record this case discloses enactment was, fact, linked legislature's perception becoming cluttered with who did command significant support, clearly entitled raise ante access, simplify ballot, avoid possibility unrestrained factionalism election. 194-196. (c) burdens imposed appellees' Amendment by are too severe justified interest restricting 196-197. (d) differences between requiring position signatures nominating petitions constitutional dimension. 197-198. (e) There merit argument since turnout elections generally lower elections, has reduced pool potential supporters which can secure vote. creates impediment voting more show "significant modicum" elections. P. 198. (f) serves promote very values threatened overly burdensome freedom association because they must channel expressive activity into campaign opposed 198-199. 765 F.2d 1417 (CA9 1985), reversed. WHITE, J., delivered opinion REHNQUIST, C.J., BLACKMUN, POWELL, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, JJ., joined. MARSHALL, filed dissenting opinion, BRENNAN, joined, post, p. 200. James M. Johnson, Olympia, Wash., appellant. Daniel Hoyt Smith, Seattle, appellees. Justice WHITE Court. 1 partisan question decision whether statutory requirement, violates Amendments Constitution. Ninth Circuit declared provision (1985). We reverse. 2 1977, enacted amendments its laws, changing manner minor parties placement Before amendments, participate rather sought her party's nomination party convention held same day "major" parties.1 convention-nominated, secured upon filing certificate signed 100 had participated voted election.2 1977 retained requirement nominated convention,3 additional that, precondition appear particular Wash.Rev.Code (1985).4 3 conducts "blanket primary" may vote choice, irrespective candidates' affiliation.5 seeking declare candidacy earlier last Monday July, later following Friday.6 Minor-party conventions Saturday preceding period.7 third Tuesday September.8 4 events giving rise occurred 1983, after state legislature authorized special October 11, fill vacancy Dean (Party). Also appearing were 32 other candidates. Mr. approximately nine one-hundredths one percent office,9 5 Appellees (Peoples, two voters) commenced abridged entered judgment denying appellees timely appeal we noted probable jurisdiction. 474 1049, 106 783, 88 761 (1986). 6 Restrictions impinge individuals associate purposes, well effectively, Williams Rhodes, 393 23, 30, 89 5, 21 24 (1968), survive scrutiny example, unconstitutional laws Ohio insofar combination made it virtually impossible new even if hundreds thousands adherents. These associational rights, however, absolute necessarily subject qualification run fairly effectively. Storer Brown, 724, 730, 1274, 1279, 714 (1974). 7 While there "litmus-paper test" deciding like this, ibid., now clear condition independent modicum among office. 554 (1971), unanimously rejected challenge Georgia's statutes candidates, listed submit 5% eligible question. Primary only those organizations whose 20% gubernatorial Presidential Court's observed "[t]here surely important some printing organization's ballot—the interest, other, avoiding deception, frustration democratic process election." Id., 442, S.Ct., 1976. And, 744 (1974), demonstrate persons numbering Governor Candidates could requisite number petition precinct supplemental conventions. Voters signing these swear oath another process. rejecting asserted preserving integrity electoral regulating compelling reiterated placing supra, 782, n. 14, 1306, 14. 8 establish unmistakable clarity "undoubted . ." Anderson Celebrezze, 460 780, 788-789, 9, 103 1564, 1569-1570, 75 547 (1983). reaffirm principle today. 9 determined insuring sufficient community justify "Washington's overcrowding." F.2d, 1420. accept historical 10 never particularized existence candidacies prior imposition restrictions access. conducted inquiry sufficiency quantum data supporting reasons petition-signature requirement. upheld asserting "State's admittedly vital interests sufficiently implicated insist significant, measurable support." 1566. California's provisions been affiliated within year immediately recognized California "compelling" maintaining processes, disaffiliation furthered therefore valid, though bar attaining position. "[i]t appears obvious us one-year furthers stability system." 736, 1282. indication burden demonstrating empirically objective effects produced 1-year 11 To would invariably lead endless court battles over "evidence" marshaled predicate. Such necessitate system sustain level damage take corrective action. Legislatures, think, should permitted respond deficiencies foresight reactively, provided response significantly constitutionally protected rights. 12 here suggests revision support. 1976, largest history—12—appeared demonstrates part legislative impetus concern about having such easy ballot.10 13 Washington, counterpart California, "an integral entire [that] functions winnow out finally reject chosen candidates." U.S., 735, 1281. think properly reserve "for major struggles," conditioning respect, willing long complicated provides measure what See id., 14 Neither do agree far Much every so qualified, while appeared facts relevant, little case, provide insuperable barrier access.11 It hardly surprise revised; for, until then, Under our cases, afford automatic Comparing experience tells nothing how fared years conditioned maximum extent 15 urge differs substantially previous cases qualitatively restrictive petition. effect, submission foreclose use determine unpersuaded, mechanisms Because primary," voters. Effort resources otherwise directed securing instead channeled campaigns "get out," foster recognition, educate electorate. sure, demonstrate, through ability election, enjoy advance But precisely do. 16 argue perceive force losing supporters' infringed failure created elections; supporter free Party's As "candidates members small newly formed wholly associate, proselytize, speak, write, organize school wish. 438, 1974. burdened imperative reduce apathy "handicap" unpopular increase likelihood gain see it, done visit 17 also observe accommodating Jenness, Storer. each scheme analyzed failed satisfy qualifying criteria, opportunity ballot-connected platform espouse views; unsatisfied criteria served Undeniably, concerns dimension, "exclusion voters' association, effective expression views issues day. 787-788, 1569. Here, guarantees challenging Georgia, Texas, vigorously sought—candidate This difference. vehicle said true choices state-imposed obstacles impairing exercise choices. simply "availability opportunity." Lubin Panish, 709, 716, 1315, 1320, 702 18 challenges based notwithstanding systems operated affords wage campaign, conclude magnitude 29.18.110's effect slight when compared Party. Accordingly, violate Constitution November 8, 1983. 19 20 ordered. whom BRENNAN joins, dissenting. Limitations fundamental rights: "the advancement beliefs, voters, regardless persuasion, effectively." (1968). most where restricted. Illinois Board Elections 440 173, 185, 99 983, 990, 59 230 (1979), "[t]he States' screening considered light role played development Nation." 22 often unconventional positions broaden debate, expand range electorate concerned, influence majority, instances ultimately majority positions. And outlet express dissatisfaction platforms parties. Notwithstanding crucial play arena, holds today unduly practice, completely excludes participating 23 * fails articulate applies restriction. recognizes "[r]estrictions effectively Amendments," ante, 3, indicate much impingement great limit demonstrated popular By contrast, standard review set forth decisions clear: Whether viewed discrimination against parties, necessary further narrowly tailored achieve goal. 184, 990; 1305, (1974); Clements Fashing, 457 957, 977, 2, 102 2836, 2851, 73 508 (1982) (BRENNAN, dissenting); 964-965, 2844 (plurality opinion). necessity approach becomes evident consider definition ordinarily control institutions, seek perpetuate themselves expense developing application strict ensures measures taken keeping off incidentally impose impermissible Elder, Access Ballot Political Candidates, 83 Dick.L.Rev. 387, 406 (1979); 32, 11. 25 Appellant argues limitation all, thus need heightened scrutiny, meeting requirements. I cannot accept, proposition, always adequate. concluding " 'major struggles,' 196, quoting 1281, acknowledge finality, arena sharpened, policies hotly debated, clarified. Nonetheless, deems adequate characterized principally "forum continuing intraparty feuds," debate issues. not, my view, due excluded entirely election.1 26 conclusion stems misconception scheme. presumes get elected. But, discussed earlier, participation politics affect debate. Minor "influence, success." 185-186, 990-91; cf. (States keep "all enough win"). Their contribution "diversity competition marketplace ideas," 794, 1572, (1983), inevitably implicate win That realized unable meaningfully phase policy seriously considered. places excessive 27 merely acceptable. Ante, 193. past acknowledged (1971). still remains "properly drawn," employing "least drastic means" ends. 990. fails, here. 28 am unconvinced justification law: confusion. streamlines problem already cumbersome Between 1907 six ever four ran Governor, suggesting crowded. 1417, 1420 1985); 47, (Harlan, concurring result) ("[T]he eight said, experience, carry danger confusion"). 1983 prompted lawsuit, being along candidates: Democrats Republicans. notes previously existed imposed. solution exacerbates claims solve, means rationally related 30 seems troubled insistence unencumbered simultaneous willingness employ "a primary." 196. evidently legitimate befuddle matters adherents guarantee negligible Since allowed discovery uncrowded coincidentally extends significance. Rather alleviating harm purports prevent, law shifts possible which, deliberately unintentionally, decreases prospect 31 Additionally, eliminating support" mechanism 1977. legitimacy requirements casts doubt Moreover, overbroad, excluding purpose protecting meaningful. interests, subjected scrutiny; pass II 33 Even prepared adopt nebulous logic employs preference mandatory reach majority's result. limits circumstances appropriate, equally limitations result exclusion supra. "The real, 'merely theoretical.' 1307, 439, 34 reasoning, validity function empirical evidence: impermissibly reasonably diligent candidate" expected 742, 1285; 784, 16, 16. sustained "insurmountable fledgling efforts generate evidence time allowed." 1307. signature apparent neither "impossible nor impractical," Indeed, plaintiffs issue. 779, 1305. Similarly, 1974, approved relying open quality Georgia [was] theoretical" 1966 President 1968 gained route. 35 acts almost ballots. been, words Appeals, "substantially eliminated ballot." 1419. found 1984, able surmount earn Ibid.2 legislation leading elimination demonstration 36 ensure supremacy precluding practical matter. Yet sustains just that. doing so, permits pre-empt meaningful them crowded excised fulfilled central tradition: dissent constructive fashion. Respectfully, dissent. 29.24.020 (1976). defined ten state-wide 29.01.090(1). section's 10% amended 5%. 29.01.090. "minor" organization party." 29.01.100. 29.24.040. 29.24.020. 29.24.030(1) provides: "To must: "(1) Be attended jurisdiction nominations made, equal thousand portion thereof presidential twenty-five whichever greater. courts below. "No shall unless receives sought: Provided, plurality 29.18.200. 29.18.025. 29.13.070. 596 681,690 primary. Memorandum Office Conference Committee, App. Reply Brief Appellant. apparently poses insubstantial obstacle nonstatewide offices offices. 40 qualified. State, 412 Mich. 571, 317 N.W.2d (1982), Michigan Supreme struck down give "restrictions work eliminate ideological alternatives selected campaigning identified sharpened facing electorate." 588, N.W.2d, 6-7. Libertarian Treasurer 1984. 9; 145-146. Democratic Republican nomination, Sample Election Ballot, Clark County, Sept. 18,

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