Document: 387 U.S. 112 87 S.Ct. 1554 18 L.Ed.2d 656 Frank A. DUSCH et al., Appellants,v.J. E. Clayton DAVIS al. No. 724. Argued April 18, 1967. Decided May 22, Harry Frazier III, Richmond, Va., for appellants. Henry Howell, Jr., Norfolk, appellees. Fraci § X. Beytagh, Cleveland, Ohio, the United States, as amicus curiae, pro hac vice, by special leave of Court. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion 1 In 1963 City Virginia Beach, Virginia, consolidated with adjoining Princess Anne County, which was both rural and urban; a borough form government adopted. There are seven boroughs, one corresponding to boundaries former city six magisterial districts. The consolidation plan effected pursuant law1 charter embodied in approved legislature.2 2 Three boroughs—Bayside, Kempsville, Lynnhaven—are primarily urban. Three—Blackwater, Anne, Pungo—are rural. centering around its famous ocean beach bay, is tourist. 3 Electors five having exhausted attempts obtain relief state courts,3 instituted this suit against local officials claiming that distribution voting rights violated principle Reynolds v. Sims, 377 533, 84 1362, 12 506, asking convening three-judge court. court held jurisdiction had not been established because issue character transferred cause District 4 Court original allocation invalid denying voter equality stayed further proceedings allow an opportunity seek amendment at 1966 session State Legislature. amended provide Seven-Four Plan now being challenged.4 Under charter, council composed 11 members. Four members elected large without regard residence. Seven voters entire city, required reside each boroughs. Pursuant Court, appellees filed complaint challenging validity Plan. plan. Appeals reversed, 361 F.2d 495. case here on appeal (28 U.S.C. 1254(2)) we postponed question merits. 385 999, 706, 17 540. 5 For reasons stated Moody Flowers, 97, 1544, 643, court, only statewide application. 6 Sailors Board Education County Kent, 105, 1549, 650, reserved whether apportionment municipal or county legislative agencies governed Sims. But though assume arguendo it is, reverse Appeals. It felt Sims 'that legislator, municipal, represent reasonably like number population,' F.2d, 497, pointing out Blackwater, where 733 people live, will have same representation Lynnhaven 23,731 Bayside 29,048 Kempsville 13,900. reaffirmed what decided Ellis Mayor Council Baltimore, Cir., 352 123, 128, 'the fundamental representative country equal numbers people, race, sex, economic status, place residence within State.' And provision four city-wide 'does remedy any way affect disproportion 7 members.' 497. Sevn- makes no distinction basis creed, status location. Each councilmen vote all electors city. fact must be resident from he elected, fatal. upholding requirement election senators multi-district said Fortson Dorsey, 379 433, 438, 85 498, 501, 13 401: 8 'It accurate treat senator district wherein resides. statute uses districts counties merely candidates, representation. district's district, but since his tenure depends upon county-wide electorate vigilant serve interests county, those home district; thus county's senator.' 9 By analogy present boroughs 'merely representation.' He nonetheless city's, borough's, councilman. there substantial population senatorial districts, while varies widely. If borough's represented borough, front, different conclusions might follow. assumption controls, constitutional test under Equal Protection Clause 'invidious' discrimination. U.S., 561, 1381. As Court: 10 'The principal adequate reason providing councilman assure some general knowledge problems end heterogeneous able give due consideration questions presented throughout area. (T)he history—past present—of area comprising Beach demonstrates compelling need, least during appreciable transition period, handling affairs largest area-wide cities States. Bluntly speaking, vast should never referred old Supervisors selected particular has changed permit voting. 'Seven-Four Plan' evasive scheme avoid consequences reapportionment perpetuate certain persons office. does preserve controlling influence smaller indicate desire intelligent expression views subjects relating agriculture remains great factor welfare population. becomes effective, if then operates minimize cancel strength racial political elements population, time enough consider system still passes muster.' seems reflect detente between urban communities may important resolving complex modern megalopolis relation suburbia, countryside.5 Finding invidious discrimination conclude judgment reversed. Reversed. 14 HARLAN STEWART concur result. Va.Code 1950, Tit. 15, Art. 4, c. (1956 Repl.Vol.). Va.Acts 1962, 147. interim one, idea another would initiated sooner than 1968 later 1971. Davis Dusch, 205 Va. 676, 139 S.E.2d 25. 1966, 39 populations are: Blackwater.....................733 Pungo....................... 2,504 Anne............... 7,211 Kempsville................ 13,900 Lynnhaven.................. Bayside.................... Beach.............. 8,091 obvious that, percentage qualified accord Lunnhaven Bayside, united their efforts, could elect even were large.

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