Document: 402 U.S. 690 91 S.Ct. 1760 29 L.Ed.2d 268 Peggy J. CONNOR, Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, et al.v.Paul B. JOHNSON al.No. —-. June 3, 1971. Dissenting Opinion 4, Rehearing Denied 14, See 403 924, 2220. PER CURIAM. 1 On May 1971, a three-judge District Court, convened in the Southern of Mississippi, invalidated Legislature's latest reapportionment statute as allowing impermissibly large variations among House and Senate districts. The parties were requested by court to submit suggested plans, applicants did so on 17. All four plans utilized single-member districts exclusively Hinds County. following day, 18, 330 F.Supp. 506, issued its own plan, which included single- multi-member each House; County was constituted district electing five senators 12 representatives. expressed some reluctance over use counties or more representatives, saying: '(I)t would be ideal if (such counties) could divided into districts, for election one member (from) district.' However, view deadline filing notices candidacy, concluded that: '(W)ith time left available it is matter sheer impossibility obtain dependable data, population figures, boundary locations, etc. fairly correctly divide these single members this elections 1971.' promised appoint special master January 1972 investigate possibility general 1975 1979. 2 Applicants moved Court stay order. motion denied 24. have now applied Court's order an extension 4 until shall provided County, Attorney General Columbia approves apportionment plan under Section 5 Voting Rights Act 1965, 79 Stat. 439, 42 U.S.C. § 1973c (1964 ed., Supp. V). 3 Insofar ask relief denied. A decree United States not within reach Act. other reasons lead us grant extent indicated below. In failing devise belief that insufficient remained candidacy. Yet at 17 days away and, according uncontradicted statement brief supporting motion, able formulate offer space three days. Also statements, based data county maps showing existing political subdivisions, supervisory used Census Bureau taking 1970 census, official 'final counts,' 'computer print-out from computer tapes total white/Negro census enumeration districts.' also assert no figures will subsequently become available. judgment districting 'ideal' We agree when courts are forced fashion preferable matter. Furthermore, given information apparently dispatch with devised our that, record, had ample prior deadline. While meeting date longer possible, there nothing before suggest any insurmountable barrier devising such Therefore granted below stayed 14. instructed, absent difficulties, put effect date. light disposition, directed extend legislative candidates appropriate those State may act new divided. 6 It ordered. 7 Motion granted. 8 THE CHIEF JUSTICE, Mr. Justice BLACK, HARLAN dissent reserve right file opinion effect. 9 whom JUSTICE join, dissenting. 10 I strongly particularly relates postponement election. Under law decrees court, state legislature elected large. But Court—at eleventh hour—now commands change voter can vote only representative senator. law, final 4. This postpones 'an date' after compels who expected run county-wide their completely campaign particular part county. confusion compounded because do yet know where lines drawn. Any candidate dumbfounded thought his old suddenly been abolished eve he must but unspecified still dream eyes Supreme sitting thousand miles 11 abrupt all astounding since has consistently approved legislatures. Burnette v. Davis, 382 42, 86 181, 15 35 (1965); Fortson Dorsey, 379 433, 85 498, 13 401 Burns Richardson, 384 73, 1286, 16 376 (1966). deny sheer, raw power impose do, however, object exercising throwing monkey wrench procedure late Above else, we should remember resident Judicial Circuit part. judges entered reside Circuit, they heard evidence oral arguments, examined statistics. forget 14 'There evading fact holding difficult, intricate, time-consuming process. Orders filed, ballots printed, campaigning laid, officials appointed. Many different procedures carefully synchronized efficiently administered. today plunges unfamiliar arena creates utter voters, candidates, subjecting them judicial branch Federal Government. Needless say majority formulated ordered federal need Columbia. constitutional system strange indeed construe V), require actions reviewed dissent.

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