Legal Document

466 U.S. 48 104 S.Ct. 1577 80 L.Ed.2d 36 ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, et al.v.Henry T. McMILLAN al. No. 82-1295. March 27, 1984. Charles S. Rhyme argued the cause for appellants. Larry Menefee appellees. PER CURIAM. 1 This appeal presents questions as to appropriate standards of proof and remedy in suits that allege a violation voting rights secured by Fourteenth Amendment. We do not reach these questions, however, it appears judgment under review may rest alternately upon statutory ground decision. 2 * Appellees, black voters Escambia County, Florida, filed suit District Court, alleging at-large system electing five members Board County Commissioners violated appellees' First, Thirteenth, Fifteenth Amendments, Civil Rights Act 1957, 42 U.S.C. § 1971(a)(1), Voting Act, 1973 seq.1 Appellees contended operated "dilute" their strength. See, e.g., Rogers v. Lodge, 458 613, 616-617, 102 3272, 3275-3276, 73 1012 (1982). 3 The Court entered That court found used discriminated against had been retained at least part discriminatory purposes. concluded Amendments Act. ordered commissioners be elected from single-member districts. 4 Appeals affirmed Court's judgment, concluding election Amendment was appropriate.2 As finding adequate support did conclusion also Act.3 Id., 961, n. 2. 5 noted probable jurisdiction, --- ---, 103 1766, 76 341 (1983).4 II 6 question whether evidence intent record before decline decide this question. noted, rested See 688 F.2d, 961 2; Juris. Statement 101a. Moreover, 1982 amendments Pub.L. 97-205, 3, codified 1973(b),5 were Appeals. Affirmance on would moot constitutional issues presented case. It is well established principle governing prudent exercise jurisdiction normally will if there some other which dispose Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 347, 56 466, 483, L.Ed. (1936) (Justice Brandeis, concurring). 7 parties have briefed question, and, any event, should decided first instance conclude, therefore, proper course vacate Appeals, remand case consideration provides grounds affirmance judgment.6 8 so ordered. 9 Justice BLACKMUN, while joining per curiam opinion, disallow costs 10 MARSHALL, dissenting. 11 Contrary appellants' contention,1 Fifth Circuit invalidate Article VIII, 1(e) Florida Constitution, generally requires county at-large. Rather, merely refused certain powers with they invested state constitution2 order maintain, racially purposes, an scheme drastically diluted political strength Negro voters. McMillan Fla., F.2d 960, 969 (CA5 1982). Because law, 28 1254(2) clearly improper. Silkwood Kerr-McGee Corp., 615, 620, 78 443 (1984); Perry Education Ass'n Local Educators' Ass'n, 948, 953, 74 794 (1983) (statutes authorizing appeals are strictly construed). Consequently, jurisdictional statement must treated petition certiorari. So treated, I believe denied. holding below falls squarely within applicable raises no warranting attention. In sum, hold appellants cannot properly invoke appellate statement, considered certiorari, dismissed improvidently granted. 12 respectfully dissent. Defendants named its individual members, Supervisor Elections. Only former present now 4, infra. initially reversed judgment. found, decision City Mobile Bolden, 446 55, 100 1490, 64 47 (1980), claims "vote dilution" cognizable or insufficient demonstrate 638 1239 1981). After supra, granted rehearing grounds. 960 concluded, light Rogers, findings effects purposes "clearly erroneous." 969. vacated see supra 2, 961. Reconsideration relief further delayed case, because opportunity brief raised Congress' recent amendment infra, 51 move dismiss Court. itself has voted appeal. Aside two who dissented vote, several commissioners, lost seats subsequent court-ordered election, remain contention, automatically when left office, Jurisdictional limit them participation "official capacity." 1. suggested liability live interest controversy. contend issue moot, contention we need our disposition 6, Nor appeal, involve difficult event treat grant petition, today. 2103; El Paso Simmons, 379 497, 501-503, 85 577, 579-581, 13 (1965). amended, part: (a) No qualification prerequisite standard, practice, procedure shall imposed applied State subdivision manner results denial abridgement right citizen . vote account race color. (b) A subsection section if, based totality circumstances, shown processes leading nomination equally open class citizens protected less than electorate participate process elect representatives choice. considered, remedial Wise Lipscomb, 437 535, 98 2493, 57 411 (1978), McDaniel Sanchez, 452 130, 101 2224, 68 724 (1981). 2-3. Constitution empowers change electoral selection basis Fla. Const., Art. 1(c); Fla.Stat. §§ 125.60-64 Such ratified majority county. Commission permit proposals establish district Commissioners' maintain nullified potential App. 96a-98a.

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