Legal Document

377 U.S. 633 84 Supreme Court Reporter 1418 12 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 568 WMCA, INC., et al., Appellants,v.John Pacific KF135 P2 LOMENZO, Secretary of State the New York, al. Number 20. Argued Nov. and 13, 1963. Decided June 15, 1964. [Syllabus from pages 633-634 intentionally omitted] Leonard baron Sand, Washington, D.C., for appellants. Solicitor Gen. Archibald Cox States, amicus curiae, by special leave Court. Irving Galt, York City, appellees. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered opinion 1 At issue in this litigation is constitutional validity, under Fourteenth Amendment to Federal Constitution, apportionment seats Legislature. I. 2 Appellants initially brought action on May 1, 1961, District Southern York. Plaintiffs below included individual citizens voters residing five six most populous counties (Bronx, Kings, Nassau, Queens), suing their own behalf all similarly situated. Appellees, sued representative capacities, are various state local officials charged with duties connection reapportionment conducting elections. The complaint claimed rights Civil Rights Act, 42 Code KF62 §§ 1983, 1988, asserted jurisdiction 28 § 1343(3). 3 sought a declaration that those provisions Constitution which establish formulas apportioning two houses Legislature, statutes implementing them, unconstitutional since violative Constitution. further asked enjoin defendants performing any acts or compliance allegedly legislative provisions. they had no adequate remedy other than judicial relief sought, requested court retain until 'freed fetters imposed Constitutional invalidated Court, provides such legislature as will insure urban guaranteed them States.' 4 In attacking existing plaintiffs stated, more particularly, that: 5 'The Article III, 2—5, violate XIV A mendment because formula contained therein results, must necessarily result, when applied population figures grossly unfair weighting both favor lesser populated rural areas great disadvantage densely centers state. * 6 'As result challenged herein, Plaintiffs' votes not effective either house others situated suffer debasement virtue arbitrary, obsolete denied equal protection laws required 7 1894 amended, only presently unconstitutional, but also were invalid at time adoption, '(t)he growth shifts have aggravated violation Amendment.' 8 As plaintiffs, three-judge was convened.1 City admitted allegations grant seeking. remaining moved dismiss. On January 11, 1962, announced its initial decision. It held it dismissed complaint, without reaching merits, ground failed claim upon could be granted, issues raised nonjusticiable. 202 F.Supp. 741. discussing made stated: 9 specifically cites cause distribution representation requiring 10 '(a) '* total fifty Senators established shall increased larger become entitled addition allotment 1894, effect decreases large *' 11 '(b) county may 'four unless has full ratio each Senator '(c) every except Hamilton always (in Assembly) one member coupled limitation entire membership 150 members *."2 Nothing containing present provisious, approved majority State's electorate before becoming effective, subsequently twice disapproved proposals convention amend relating apportionment, concluded that, event, there 'want equity or, view slightly differently, want justiciability, (which) clearly demands dismissal.' 13 appealed Court's dismissal complaint. we vacated judgment remanded consideration light Baker versus Carr, 369 186, 82 691, 663, been decided subsequent suit below. 370 190, 1234, 430. vacating remanding, 14 'Our well-established practice remand decision therefore applies. (W)e believe should first consider merits federal claim, free doubts justificability alleged arbitrary invidious geographical discrimination.'3 15 August 16, after hearing,4 concluding shown preponderance evidence discrimination, rational historical origin improper amended an electoral Senate Assembly unconstitutional. 208 368. Finding failure Legislature comply establishing periodic seats, relied presumption constitutionality attaching provision necessity clear 'before lend power disruption election processes *.' After postulating number 'tests' inc uding '(r)ationality policy whether system arbitrary,' '(w)hether complexion basis,' available political remedy, '(g)eography, including accessibility representatives electors,' none relevant irrational giving weight to, population, 'the ingredient area, character interest.' Stating classic unit governmental organization administration,' found allocation seat grounded basis. noted 1957 vote call 'heralded apportionment' then Governor, nevertheless chose convened. 'if strict standards adopted certain undesirable results might follow increase size extent debate hampered districts contacts between legislator his constituents impracticable.'5 November 1962 legislators conducted pursuant scheme. timely appeal filed, probable 10, 1963, 374 802, 83 1691, 1028. II. 16 Apportionment prescribed amended. Reapportionment effected periodically statutory provisions,6 enacted constitutionally formulas. basic area purposes, sparsely counties, Fulton Hamilton, treated one. uses citizen instead excluding aliens consideration, purposes apportionment. assemblymen fixed 150, while less 50 vary apportionment.7 All elected two-year terms only, even-numbered years. 17 With respect Senate, providing body creating senatorial districts, 4, decennial readjustment beginning 1932 decade thereafter, following manner: 18 'Such so readjusted altered senate district contain nearly inhabitants, aliens, compact form practicable, remain unaltered year next above defined, times consist contiguous territory, divided formation make wholly county. 19 'No four senators senator. No one-third senators; territory thereof now organized, adjoining separted public waters, one-half senators. 20 obtained dividing fifty, composed members, if having three additional senator given senators, whole extent.'8 21 interpreted decision, accomplished several stages. First, State, determined last census, (the minimum seats) order obtain so-called 'ratio' figure. account ascertained—counties ratios, i.e., 6% each. Under 6%-or-more class, City's upstate Erie County (Buffalo environs). Nassau (suburban City) added class pending based 1960 census. come within 'populous' category, ascertained, allocated ratio. Fractions disregarded, thereafter into appropriate districts. ascertaining resulting original seats. And, whic gained lost deducted added. Currently reapportioned 1953, 58 From total, subtracted—27 1953 seats—31 scheme—are apportioned among counties. When basis census figures, 57 26 allotted applying requirement 22 second stage involves (less ratios). (and thus Senate) determined, figure 31 1950 censuses, Less comparing county's three, fraction, rations. Since significantly second, can ratios ratios. Finally, substantially combined multicounty 23 complicated give markedly representation, compared respective represented, average, 195,859 citizens, represented average 301,178. 284,069, was, course, 195,859. 324,816, 366,128. hand, ratio, 216,822. Thus, had, over 1.5 county, and, about 1.7-to-1.9 24 provided 2. 5, 62 seat. 89 accordance population. Applying formula, whose least 1/2 (1% population) assemblyman. populations being 'highest remainders.' receiving allocating 61 unrelated separate categories plainly favoring new smallest 44 62,765 inhabitants per seat, receive each, representing 93,478 100 129,183 each.10 25 Although yet figures,11 outlines forthcoming predicted assurance. rules explicit detailed, little discretion, decennially enacting provisions, determining joined together districting Similarly, discretion reapportioning seats.12 rather detailed rules, some mandatory directive, prescribing set out Constitution.13 37.1% constituted body, 40.9% comprised Senate. still 34.7% constitute Assembly, 41.8% body. If carried formulas, 37.5% would reside electing 38.1% live 11.9 many one, similar 2.4-to-1. current population-variance 21-to-1, 3.9-to-1. 12.7 2.6-to-1. 27 According where appellants 9,129,780, 56.2% 16,240,786. They currently 72 senators—48% 48.3% reapportions these 69 45.6% 46%, respectively, houses. heavily 73.5% given, 38 65.5% 93 62% house. same 37 92 64.9% 61.3%, comprising 45.7% 43.1% 43.3% Assembly. 36.8% 37.3%, Suffolk County's represents 650,112, represent 425,267 d strict, Saratoga, Warren, Essex Counties, 166,715.14 again 425,267, district, probably comprise Putnam Rockland 162,840.15 Onondaga County, 414,770, Because full-ratio applicable despite fact 655,690 1,275,801, single figures. And Monroe 571,029, although half 360,193 created 207,528 district. operation rule unrepresented remainders (above short another seat) follows: 301,353; 284,805; 244,798. 800,000 counted even though exceed statewide 284,926 Furthermore, entitlement reduce reductions (as 1894), comparative voting share increases. 29 212,634, 314,721. 216,704 citizens. Schuyler according 14,974, yet, seat.16 whil projected 190,343 170,000 citizens.17 Additionally, 54 excess 132,000 30 167,226, 14,066 Bronx averaging 344,545 146,666. against malapportionment appears exist York.18 initiative procedure exists law. proposal submitted approval successive sessions Legislature.19 calling convention.20 law question called years, commencing 1957.21 But convened, discrimination perpetuated delegates.22 consistently complied 1907, 1917, 1943, courts presumably unavailable.23 III. 32 Reynolds Sims, 533, 1362, date, Equal Protection Clause requires bicameral Neither here attacked, sufficiently sustainable. Accordingly, hold erred upholding York's scheme 33 We examined governing fashion point living diluted effect. However sophisticated be, cannot, consistent Clause, significant undervaluation merely happen reside. demonstrably include built-in bias accorded suburban becomes proportionately substantial distributed regard continually long proceeds disparate rate State. different used representation. Also, 50, subtracted increasingly smaller percentage will, probability, Despite opaque intricacies right individuals disfavored considered, conclude neither nor condoned. 34 find inappropriate discuss questions remedies time, beyond what said our Reynolds.24 1964, below, acting equitable principles, determine whether, imminence opportunity valid plan, desirable permit 1964 circumstances effectuation appellants' properly weighted voice delayed election. reverse case proceedings views stated Sims. ordered. 35 Reversed remanded. 36 Dissenting STEWART printed 508, Lucas Forty-fourth General Colorado, 744, 1477. HARLAN Nos. 23, 41, 589, 1395. See 196 758, presented warranting convening court, defendants' motions dismiss lack jurisdi tion granted. F.Supp., 743. decisions litigation, reported sub nom. Inc., Simon. U.S., 191, S.Ct., 1235. Shortly case, ordered answer otherwise move Another defendants, official, admitting allegations, appellees, material varied defenses. hearing amount statistical introduced showing apportionments. shown, computations pertinent evidence. refused financial matters collection taxes disbursement assistance. excluded offered show Constitution's devised express purpose inferior preferred intentional designing finding valid, correctness exclusion concurring 3.1% 'based solely 3% state's dominate rest York.' plan McKinney's N.Y.Laws, 1952 (Supp.1963), Law, 120—124, 1953. 2, 50-member 150-member 3, subject alteration Act. 4. N.Y.Const., For extended discussion see Silva, Ford.L.Rev. 595 (1962). Legislative Representation Special Reference Law & Contemp.Prob. 408 thorough reapportion redistrict later 1966, assembly chosen regular session altered, law, state, aliens.' While sole apportion gives authorities exclusive divide assemblyman constitutes itself, cannot But, provides: 'In (of Assembly), board supervisors, city embracing common council, none, exercising powers specific border line broken type Both Each contain, 'convenient' practicable. Further relate division towns equalization Included Appendix Defendant map 383. E contains chart includes Id., 384. using 380. Contract B approximate 381—382. significance presence absence Forty-Fourth Pages 736—737, 1473—1474. XIX, 'at provide Pursuant electorate, close vote, convention, people 1977. delegates plus large. Decisions Appeals indicate do he See, e.g., re Sherrill, 188 N.Y. 185, 81 Northeastern N59 124 (1907); Dowling, 219 44, 113 545 (1916); Fay, 291 198, 52 North Eastern Reporter, 2nd 97 (1943). 585, 1393.

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