Document: 467 U.S. 216 104 S.Ct. 2312 81 L.Ed.2d 175 Efrem BERNAL, Petitioner,v.John W. FAINTER, Jr., Secretary of State Texas, et al. No. 83-630. Supreme Court the United States Argued March 28, 1984. Decided May 30, Syllabus Petitioner, a resident alien, applied to Texas become notary public, who under law authenticates written instruments, administers oaths, and takes out-of-court depositions. Petitioner's application was denied because he failed satisfy requirement statute (Article 5949(2)) that public be citizen. After an unsuccessful administrative appeal, petitioner (and another individual) brought suit in Federal District Court, claiming Article 5949(2) violated Constitution. The ruled petitioner's favor, concluding citizenship requirement, reviewed strict-scrutiny standard, Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment. Appeals reversed, holding proper standard for review rational-relationship test satisfied test. Held: violates Clause. Pp. 219-228. (a) As general matter, state discriminates on basis alienage can sustained only if it withstand strict judicial scrutiny. In order scrutiny, must advance compelling interest by least restrictive means available. "political function" exception rule applies laws exclude aliens from positions intimately related process democratic self-government. Under this exception, is lowered when evaluating validity exclusions entrust citizens important elective nonelective whose operations go heart representative government. Sugarman v. Dougall, 413 634, 93 2842, 37 853; Cabell Chavez-Salido, 454 432, 102 735, 70 677. 219-222. (b) inapplicable 5949(2). Notaries do not fall within category officials perform functions government merely they are designated as officers dispositive factor actual function position, its source. focus inquiry whether position such officeholder will necessarily exercise broad discretionary power over formulation or execution policies importantly affecting citizen population. Although there critical need notary's duties carried out correctly with integrity, those essentially clerical ministerial. notaries invested policymaking responsibility discretion policy requires routine authority individuals. Cf. re Griffiths, 717, 2851, 910. 222-227. (c) does meet applicable review. To show furthers practically With regard State's asserted ensuring familiar law, nothing record indicating aliens, class, so incapable familiarizing themselves justify absolute classwide exclusion. Furthermore, concern were truly "compelling," one would expect give some sort actually measuring person's familiarity law. State, however, no Similarly inadequate purported availability notaries' testimony years after their acts. factual showing unavailability presents real, opposed speculative, problem State. 227-228. 710 F.2d 190 (5th Cir.1983), reversed remanded. Cornish F. Hitchcock, Washington, D.C., petitioner. Mary Keller, Austin, Tex., respondents. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 question posed case Amendment Constitution denying opportunity public. Fifth Circuit held offend We granted certiorari, 464 1007, 522, 78 707 (1983), now reverse. 2 * native Mexico, alien has lived since 1961. He works paralegal Rural Legal Aid, Inc., helping migrant farm-workers employment civil rights matters. administer oaths these workers notarize statements use litigation, 1978 public.1 authenticate take depositions.2 statutory States. Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann., Art. (Vernon Supp.1984) (hereafter 5949(2)). mandated 5942(2) Constitution.3 3 favor Vargas Strake, C.A. B-79-147 (SD Oct. 9, 1981) (mem.). It concluded also suggested even fail pass constitutional muster "is wholly unrelated achievement any valid interest." App. Pet. Cert. 11a. A divided panel "bears rational relationship state's orderly handling countless variety legal documents importance state." 190, 195 (1983).4 II 4 scrutiny.5 available.6 Applying principle, we have invalidated array statutes right pursue various occupations. 853 (1973), struck down barring permanent competitive class service. 910 nullified excluding eligibility membership Bar. And Examining Board Flores de Otero, 426 572, 96 2264, 49 65 (1976), voided excluded practice engineering. 5 have, developed narrow discrimination based triggers This been labeled contours outlined our prior decisions. Foley Connelie, 435 291, 98 1067, 55 287 (1978), may require police because, performing fundamental obligation government, "are clothed almost infinite powers" often involving most sensitive areas daily life. Id., at 297, S.Ct., 1071. Ambach Norwick, 441 68, 99 1589, 60 (1979), bar declared intent teaching schools teachers, like police, possess high degree fulfillment basic governmental obligation. They direct, day-to-day contact students, unsupervised them, act role models, influence students about political process. 78-79, 1595-1596. Finally, 677 (1982), probation they, routinely power, function, places them direct other rationale behind political-function boundaries establish own form limit govern full-fledged members community. Some closely bound up implementation self-government permitted persons outside community, hence part self-determination. 6 "The exclusion processes deficiency system but necessary consequence community's self-definition. Self-government, through representatives, begins defining scope community governed thus governors well: Aliens definition community." 439-440, 740. 7 therefore "go government." supra, U.S., 647, 2850. "While retreating restrictions lawfully primarily affect economic interests subject heightened scrutiny . place restriction serves function. ." 439, 739 (citation omitted). 8 determine fits devised two-part 9 "First, specificity classification examined: substantially overinclusive underinclusive tends undercut claim legitimate ends. Second, sufficiently tailored, particular 'persons executive, legislative, positions,' 'participate directly formulation, execution, policy' 'perform government.' " 440, 740 (quoting 2850).7 III 10 turn satisfies provides "[t]o eligible appointment Notary Public, person shall Unlike Sugarman, indiscriminately sweep ambit wide range offices occupations specifies post respect which asserts aliens. Clearly, then, overinclusive; narrowly persons: wishing obtain appointments notaries. Less clear fatally underinclusive. court reporters though same services notaries.8 Nor citizen,9 holds highest appointive performs many functions, including supervision licensing all public.10 decide issue, decision second prong 11 support proposition government," emphasizes Constitution.11 maintains designation indicates views occupying posts central itself never deemed source position—whether derives Constitution—as determining citizens. Rather, always looked factor.12 population—power self-governing could properly noted Cabell, brings "the look giving substance concept self-government." 441, n. 7, 740, 7. 12 touchstone analysis, should still classified among entail performance consequential "political."13 ably articulated argument: 13 "With acknowledge instruments wills deeds leases mortgages; depositions; oaths; refuse foregoing acts, involved matters functioning depends upon insure executing accurately identified, certify identification false uncertain, insist administered. Land titles property succession depend care integrity well verify authenticity documents." F.2d, 194. 14 recognize integrity. But duties, are, hardly implicate responsibilities contrast troopers, monopoly coercive force.14 typically enjoyed school teachers present materials educate youth respecting information values maintenance system. See 77, 1594. sure, considerable damage result negligent dishonest duties. said performed cashiers, building inspectors, janitors clean officials, numerous categories personnel whom careful, honest What distinguishes latter either Neither characteristics pertains 15 inappropriateness applying further underlined subjected Connecticut prohibited noncitizens becoming Along usual powers privileges accorded bar, gave Bar additional encompasses very notaries—authority 'sign writs subpoenas, recognizances, depositions acknowledgements deeds.' 723, 2856 statute).15 striking Connecticut's "[i]t way denigrates lawyer's observe [these duties] involve acts unique citizens." 724, 2856. If improper apply governing anomalous governs notary. conclude, IV 16 Respondents maintain "legitimate reasonably institutions" "that called later testify performed." Brief 24-25. However, both justifications utterly stringent requirements There possibility unsuitable cannot wholesale ban against required fill lists one's name address answers four questions pertaining age, citizenship, residency, criminal record16—nothing reflects insuring testimony. justification fails apposed Without underpinning, lacks weight denominated compelling.17 V 17 conclude Accordingly judgment remanded proceedings consistent opinion. 18 ordered. 19 REHNQUIST, dissenting. 20 I dissent reasons stated my dissenting 649, (1973). Prior his worked program Indiana commission 191 (CA5 1983). "Notaries Public acknowledgments proofs protest protested, depositions, hereafter conferred County Clerks. 5954 Supp.1984); see R. Rothman, Public: Practices & Glossary (1978). initially Margarita M. joined coplaintiff. longer party subsequent filing her complaint she obtained citizenship. 192. conflicts every federal considered constitutionality See, e.g., Jii Rhodes, 577 F.Supp. 1128 (SDOhio 1983) (invalidating Ohio statute); Cheng Illinois, 438 917 (NDIll.1977) Illinois Taggart Mandel, 391 733 (Md.1975) Maryland statute) (three-judge court); Graham Ramani, 383 So.2d 634 (Fla.1980) Florida statute). "[C]lassifications alienage, nationality race, inherently suspect close prime example 'discrete insular' minority solicitude appropriate." Richardson, 403 365, 372, 91 1848, 1852, 29 534 (1971) (footnotes citations Only rarely face commentator observed, "strict" theory usually "fatal" fact. Gunther, 1971 Term—Foreword: Search Evolving Doctrine Changing Court: Model Newer Protection, 86 Harv.L.Rev. 1, (1972). emphasize, past, construed; otherwise swallow depreciate significance attach group "discrete insular" appropriate. Nyquist Mauclet, 432 11, 97 2120, 2126, 53 63 (1977). Like authorized 2324a(1) 1971). appears appointed Governor advice consent Senate. Tex. Const., IV, § 21. Respondents, moreover, implicitly concede imposes 21-24 (distinguishing State). 5949(3) Supp.1984). "[t]he appoint convenient number state. 26. six G. Braden al., Texas: An Annotated Comparative Analysis 361-362 (1977) (hereinafter Braden). note, although authorization long feature Constitution, diluted changes proliferation 1845 per county directed 361. By contrast, authorizes "convenient" each county. 26; 361-362. Counsel respondents conceded oral argument exceeds 100,000. Tr. Oral Arg. ("I believe, reading brief, excess Maybe 300,000 notaries"). clerks documents. 6591 1969) ("County recorders respective counties"). At argument, counsel observed passing subpoena witnesses purpose obtaining regarding document, 6616 1969), enforce contempt powers. 6618. consider apparent hold analogous exercised policemen, judges, charged administration justice. One indication formal relevance experience seems figured two reported cases, recent decided 40 ago 1942. Ex parte Wolf, 116 Tex.Crim. 127, 34 S.W.2d 277 (1930); Harbison McMurray, 138 192, 158 284 (1942). That mentioned respondents' brief moribund. F.Supp., 1131 (political-function notwithstanding recalcitrant witness contempt). Connecticut, empowered attorneys commissioners Superior former entailed work; latter, work Re 723-725, 2855-2856. 5949(3)(a) did attempt defend perhaps recognizing defense futile. simply lesser rationality 24.

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