Document: 380 U.S. 128 85 S.Ct. 808 13 L.Ed.2d 717 UNITED STATES, Appellant,v.MISSISSIPPI et al. No. 73. Argued Jan. 26, 1965. Decided March 8, [Syllabus from pages 128-129 intentionally omitted] Sol. Gen. Archibald Cox, for appellant. Charles Clark, Jackson, Miss., appellees. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The United States by Attorney General brought this action in District Court Southern Mississippi, Jackson Division, against State three members Mississippi Board Election Commissioners, and six county Registrars Voters. complaint charged that defendants their agents had engaged and, unless restrained, would continue to engage acts practices hampering destroying right Negro citizens vote, violation 42 U.S.C. § 1971(a) (1958 ed.), Fourteenth1 Fifteenth2 Amendments Article I Constitution. Jurisdiction was invoked under 1971(d) ed.) 28 1345 because provisions state constitution statutes pertaining voter registration violated Constitution, case heard judges, pursuant 2281 ed.). All moved dismiss on ground failed a claim which relief could be granted. In addition separately no power make it defendant such suit, Commissioners answered show they enforced or duty enforce law alleged unconstitutional. Five registrars severance separate trials, four who were not residents changes venue respective districts divisions where lived. an late Circuit Judge Cameron, Cox joined,3 dismissed all grounds assigned also ruled sued jointly improper as did live district division court sitting. 229 F.Supp. 925. Brown dissented. We noted probable jurisdiction, 377 988, 84 1920, 12 1042, set down argument immediately preceding Louisiana v. States, 379 145, 817. 2 basic issue before us is whether dismissal failure upon granted proper. alleges 1890 majority qualified voters Negroes, but year constitutional convention adopted new constitution, one chief purposes was, words complaint, 'restrict franchise establish perpetuate white political supremacy racial segregation Mississippi.' Section 244 established prerequisite voting: person otherwise able read any section understand same when him, give reasonable interpretation thereof.4 This requirement, coupled with fact until about 1952 Negroes eligible vote primary election Democratic Party, victory 'tantamount election,' worked so well keeping voting, charges, 1899 percentage declined over 50% 9%, 1954 only 5% voting age registered. 3 By 1950's much higher proportion literate than been 1890, since decision Fifth 19515 pointed out requirement allowed persons if met alternative requirements, took steps multiply barriers its voting. amended provide thereafter applicant copy writing registrar, addition, demonstrate registrar 'a understanding duties obligations citizenship form government."6 charges these lend themselves misuse discriminatory administration leave completely at large, free demanding lenient choose judging applicant's citizenship,' tht adoption amendment have applied standards varied difficulty according colored. 4 1960 add qualification 'good moral character,'7 serve yet another device permit not, depending solely registrar's own whim caprice, ungoverned legal standard. A statute passed 19608 repealed prior provided application forms retained permanent public records, rule appeal taken adverse ruling made final judgment appeal, longer need keep record connection anyone register vote. direct Title III Civil Rights Act 1960, requires records kept.9 further destroyed restrained destroy records. Finally, 1962 Legislature package legislation10 affecting registration, purpose effect 'deter, hinder, prevent, delay harass more difficult efforts become registered voters, facilitate discrimination protect without distinction race color.' These laws provide, among other things, must filled 'properly responsively' assistance, may tell why he test do might constitute allegedly even greater discretion deny formal, technical, inconsequential errors.11 5 way asked (1) declare challenged unconstitutional violations federal statutes; (2) find denied 'pattern practice' discrimination;12 (3) enjoin enforcing acting 'delay, discourage, citizens, account color, applying becoming Mississippi,' using 'bears relationship quality education afforded applicants'; (4) order 21, read, resident period time prescribed law, disqualified disfranchising insane certain convicted criminals. 6 It apparent long-standing, carefully prepared, faithfully observed plan bar statistics included seem remarkably successful. brings consideration specific dismissal. I. 7 One Government's authority, absent clearest possible congressional authorization, bring like challenges validity used devices race. discuss authorization Congress, 1971 there express file suit precisely kind. guarantees 'who are election' 'without race, previous condition servitude; custom, usage, regulation Territory, contrary notwithstanding.'13 And subsection (c) specifically authorizes proper proceedings preventive color whenever has believe act practice deprive right.14 Court's holding despite clear language quoted above still authorized seems rest emphasis places phrase 'otherwise law' 1971(a). stressing below reached conclusion kept laws, though those unconstitutional, instead being barred unlawful valid, then qualified' apply them. words, while private suits individual discriminated valid filed Government, see Raines, 362 17, 80 519, 524, authorize challenging State's such, however be. can justification construction 1971(c). Subsection (a) explicitly stated legislative protecting rights colored notwithstanding 'any State.' vote' obviously meant possess qualifications required laws. take seriously Congress intended dilute guarantee regardless saying disqualify Cf. Neal Delaware, 103 370, 26 L.Ed. 567. Fifteenth Amendment protects denial abridgment State. authority Amendment's guarantee, State, customs, officials way. reject institute federally guaranteed color. II. 8 held, contended here, behalf we held did, nevertheless party defendant. gave great weight Mississippi's 'is directed through whom sovereign entity itself.' F.Supp., 933. Largely avoid what called 'substantial claim,' proceeded construe granting agree construction. 9 1971(c) says institutes official deprived citizen his 10 'the shall deemed joined if, institution proceeding, resigned relieved office successor assumed office, proceeding instituted 11 accepted vacant, suit. relies pending statutory changed, offices 1971. Alabama, 267 F.2d (C.A.5th Cir.), vacated remanded, 602, 924, 982. says, provision authorizing resigned, Alabama case. But whatever reasons amending 1971(c), our now deciding necessary sue section, leaves room put provisions. Indeed, remand affirmed refusal qualified, judgment. 371 37, 83 112, affirming 304 583 Cir.). argues making hold has, so. plain, unambiguous provides 'State' abridge 1971, given appropriate legislation. acted here beyond based number cases individuals denying rights, recognizing consent circumstances, immunity Eleventh Amendment. See, e.g., Ex parte Young, 209 123, 441, 52 714. none decided suggested citizens. terms forbids 'commenced prosecuted * Citizens Subjects Foreign While well, Hans Louisiana, 134 1, 504, 33 842, nothing Constitution prevents ever supposed prevent States. past many courts see, Texas, 143 621, 488, 36 285; California, 297 175, 56 421, 567, 332 19, 26—28, 67 1658, 1662, 91 1889. See Parden Terminal R. Co., 184, 1207, 233. light history, rather surprising entertained constitutionally reading urged supported precedent, reason diminish people country deprivation destruction rights. properly III. respect sufficient interest administering attack them parties agree. Under power, responsibility help administer formulating rules various tests applicants registration. 3209.6 Code directs questions prepared maintained supervision 14 'designed ability write thereof, government; good character 241—A 'interpretation' 'duties citizenship' tests, out, vitally important elements Should Government prove obtain injunction, natural assume should run reference two tests. Therefore stricken defendants. IV. 15 said improperly attempted liable amounted torts committed applicants. For apparently lived outside fourth different District, ordered each alone. continuing part state-wide system designed inevitably On allegation joinder single Rule 20(a) Federal Rules Procedure, provides: 16 '* asserted jointly, severally, alternative, arising transaction, occurrence, series transactions occurrences question common will arise action.' carrying activities depended large extent 'question(s) them.' Since proper, some laid merit. §§ 1392(a), 1393(b) V. 17 As general dismissal, considering correctness allegations true, indeed contains answers pretrial interrogatories indicate stands ready produce evidence tending truthfulness complaint. argued several face introduction hearings, others Solicitor 'urge constitutionality trial.' situation course pass sufficiency complaint's justify proved. 18 doubt whatsoever error trial. quarters century adopting provisions, statutes, rules, regulations, engaging practices, highest figure lowest. running administrative history during adopt expedient seemed segregated society. purpose, indeed, recognized Supreme 1896 said, speaking constitution: 19 'Within field permissible limitations imposed swept circle expedients obstruct exercise negro race.'15 20 success later years accomplish appears example, states Amite County, population 4,449 3,295, 2,560 age, voter. There examples. too serious, precious, necessity settling grievances peacefully dismissed. Compare Davis Schnell, 81 872 (D.C.S.D.Ala.), aff'd, 336 933, 69 749, 93 1093; 817, day decided. tried. tried delay. 21 Reversed remanded. 22 HARLAN considers conclusions respects, fully subscribes opinion. XIV, part: 'SECTION 1. born naturalized subject jurisdiction wherein reside. No privileges immunities States; nor life, liberty, property, due process law; within equal protection laws.' XV, abridged servitude. 2. article legislation.' wrote concurring provided: 'On after first January, A.D., 1892, every elector shall, foregoing qualifications, State; thereof. next ensuing January first, 1892.' Peay 190 126 cert. denied, 342 896, 72 230, 96 671. reads 'Every thereof registrar. He government. *' 'In entitled elector, character. 'The Miss.Laws c. 449, Miss.Code Ann. (1962 Cum.Supp.). 74 Stat. 88, 1974—1974e ed., Supp. V). 1962, 569, Cum.Supp.) requiring character' observe requirement); 570, 3213 (requiring fill blanks assistance); 571, 3212.5 (prohibiting telling rejected, 'as assistance application'); 572, 3212.7 newspaper publication applicants' names); 573, 3217—01—3217—15 (providing challenge vote); 574, 3232 (eliminating designation poll books). Cum.Supp.), claimed latter effect. brief invalid 101(a) 1964, 78 241, 131 1957, 71 637, Such finding force 1971(e) V) declaring 'All district, county, city, parish, township, school municipality, territorial subdivision, elections, notwithstanding.' May 31, 1870, 140, 90, V), 'Whenever privilege secured (b) name civil relief, including temporary restraining order, order. hereunder costs person. 'Whenever, subdivision constituting Ratliff Beale, Miss. 247, 266, So. 865, 868.

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