Legal Document

385 U.S. 231 87 Supreme Court Reporter 446 17 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 330 Ben W. FORTSON, Jr., Individually, and as Secretary of State Georgia, etc., Appellant,v.John MORRIS et al. Number 800. Argued Dec. 5, 1966. Decided 12, Rehearing Denied Jan. 9, 1967. See 1021, 719. Harold N. Hill, Atlanta, Ga., for appellant. Charles Morgan, andEmmet Judge Bondurant, appellees. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 Since 1824 a provision Constitution now Article V, § I, IV, has provided that its Governor shall be selected (1) by majority votes cast in general election, (2) if no candidate receives at such then members Georgia General Assembly elect 'from two persons having highest number * *.'1 At State's held Tuesday, November 8, 1966, single received cast. A three-judge federal district court this case enjoined from electing one candidates on ground method required V Constitution, would deny voters equal protection laws violation Fourteenth Amendment. We uphold constitutionality so long is applied it written, we perceive conflict with Equal Protection Clause. reverse District Court's judgment. 2 The erroneously relied Gray versus Sanders, 372 368, 83 801, 9 821, to strike down Constitution. had been demonstrated were denied operation county-unit system under which state officials elected counties voting units instead individual voters. result was living large given more weight officers than far fewer residing small counties. This discrimination against county them laws. That case, emphasized, do right 'all who participate election,' 379, S.Ct., 808, vote have their counted without impairment or dilution. But said, 378, 807, 'only case.' Not word indicated intended compel governors any other agents through elections people rather selections appointment Assembly. It wrongly cited either expressly impliedly decided cannot, wishes, permit legislative body Governor. 3 language struck part Georgia's since readopted 1945. set up ways select first, preferred one, election people; second, alternative failed receive popular vote. Under second method, not disregarded but consider as, effect, nominating limit itself choosing between whom bestowed votes. There amendments dictates must use valid initially employed equally when an alternative. surprising conclude that, after already primaries try majority, compels continue hold futile effort obtain some particular candidate. Statewide cost time money strange avoid repeated elections. they chose purpose unique, well known frequently utilized before Revolutionary War. Governors Legislature, people, until 1824. new constitution upon failure should elect. 4 Two States, Mississippi Vermont,2 provide also election. Thirty-eight Union today plurality tie Legislatures elect.3 5 thus turns out clearly acting within rights State, failing will Its clear choice remained 142 years. below treated law except thought compelled because supra. however, did require eliminate machinery system. resulted duty now, proceed unless, parties contend, entire incapable performing responsibility malapportioned. correct. In Toombs Fortson, 384 210, 86 1464, 16 482, affirming 241 F.Supp. 65, certain exceptions, here material, could function May 1, 1968. Consequently disqualified Neither fact Democratic obligated themselves support nominee over, terminated promises legislators nominee. 6 provides selecting old Nation itself. does violate Clause following article written. 7 Reversed. 8 DOUGLAS, CHIEF JUSTICE, BRENNAN, FORTAS, concur, dissenting. appeal decision declaring unconstitutional enjoining enforcement Section Paragraph authorizes total election.1 10 are told Governor, there 955,770 follows: 11 Howard Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Callaway------------- 449,894 47.07% 12 Lester G. Maddox--------------- 448,044 46.88% 13 Ellis Arnall---------------- 57,832 6.05% 14 Election Code '(n)o nominated public office primary unless fill nomination office.' Ga.Code Ann. 34—1514 (Supp.1965). goes where 'receives cast, runoff held, receiving votes,' 'a runoff' declared winner. Attorney rendered October 21, provisions latter controlled event 15 action declaratory judgment brought citizens throughout voted They ask benefit special pursuant Code.2 placed void. 262 93. issued stay period days enable appellant seek additional retained jurisdiction further proceedings might deemed applicable just. noted, expedited hearing urgency issue presented. 955, 387. misstates question decide. whether may election.3 legislature make final entrusted words, only machinery. amendment 1798 gave power governor, stage election.4 first stage, open 'the qualified assembly'. Ga.Const. 1798, II, 2, amended, said over new, different, procedure about used. belied realities. party candidates, choices still balance, restricted those candidates. commencing primary, indeed finally completed winner taken oath office. Up vacancy occasioned filled. 18 Our starting point what 379—380, 808: 19 'Once geographical unit representative chosen designated, all vote—whatever race, whatever sex, occupation, income, wherever home unit. concept 'we people' visualizes class equality among meet basic qualifications.' 20 argued earnestness electoral college can used President, governor. 'one person, vote' principle other. Twelfth Amendment creates exception President. like governor.5 21 'The weighting sanctioned concerns matters representation, allocation Senators irrespective population once qualifications specified, see constitutional way evaded. 22 conception political Declaration Independence, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, Nineteenth Amendments mean thing—one vote.' supra, 380—381, 808. 23 If determine outcome weighted, contrary All vices found inherent Sanders left legislature. legislator governor Even he followed his constituency, necessarily disregard candidate, almost carried day minority.6 He mandate follow side minority district. even each Senator Representative same course, As stated Court: 24 consideration permits unequal treatment selected, cannot stand. Many arguments made, need go out, stated, lesser give greater dilute ballots ignored.' F.Supp., 95. 25 & N Immigration Nationality Decisions enough indicate why substitution Legislature votes, invalidated Sanders. 26 What approved can, moreover, instrument perpetuate party' derogation pledge every member took part: 'I myself Party Georgia.' completed. are, it. Democrats control 183 seats7 205-member House 46 seats 54-member Senate. less naive believe momentum dissipated predominantly become neutral. 27 allowing choose adopted 'without significance, scheme fails satisfy requirements Clause, delineated our Reynolds Sims (84 1362, 506).' Lucas Forty-Fourth Colorado, 377 713, 737, 84 1459, 632. dealt apportionment plan referendum. repeat said: 'A citizen's hardly infringed simply be.' Id., 736—737, 1474. 28 affirm remand cause fashioning appropriate decree people's determined. 29 THE JUSTICE DOUGLAS join, 30 join my Brother add following: 31 specific us validity which, vesting 'full complete Governor,'1 rival. opinion, forbidden construed 32 1. 801 (1963), related nominate statewide office, including citizen full effect system, violated. incorporated mechanics assume doubt invalidate provision. Unless overruling presumably validate recomputed basis proportionate population, recomputation denial determined, voters, No means subject nullification integrity undermined destroyed selection person anything, certainly protected possibility victory loser. 33 2. distorts reality say, do, scrubbed ignored, dealing situation merely case. intent scrub independent process, bound polls free choice. DOUGLAS' shows, attempts something quite different. purports process begun polls—to aside electorate award loser fit. analogy clear. just if, example, expressed preferences polls, most concerned.2 34 3. concededly malapportioned, order reapportion 482 (1966), 65 (D.C.N.D.Ga.1965). Fortson Toombs, 379 621, 85 598, 527 (1965). represent concludes despite branded apportioned nevertheless states reason disregarding 'In 1968.' weak reed monumental conclusion. malapportioned decreed forbade incorporate procedures. Sims, 533, 1362 (1964); declined deprive de facto status allowed device doing indirectly directly. foreseen events place position override expect included 'exceptions,' functions judicial sufferance infirmity. To reader seem inconceivable these circumstances. Indeed, irony matter properly submit both houses abolished substituted On appeal, Court, per curiam, rule unlawful, represented moot, remanded reconsideration light circumstances allegedly made longer pertinent. holds unreformed direct action! confess inability understand how rulings reconciled. 35 4. denying applicability says case' nothing ousted functions, nullified, authorized repudiated. respectfully this, too, deals mechanism man, assume—diffidently view today's startling result—that Federal tolerate appoint legislature—or districts votes—or two-thirds—or three-fourths. difference today. validly removed democratic processes legislators. Moreover, announces offhand manner, decision, adequate argument consideration, today, ago, easy. Much water gone bridge late 1700's early 1800's. understanding guaranteed 'stately admonitions'3 deepened, series decisions,4 enriching quality democracy, codify rights, governmental theories conceptions human liberties existed 1824, date present doubt, many legislatures U.S., 573, n. 53, 602—607 (dissent), 1387, 1402—1405. enshrine condition forever beyond reach prohibition. Certainly, antiquity practice refrain invalidating malapportionment Holmes 36 '(W)hen words constituent act, realize called into life being development completely gifted begetters. hope created organism; century successors much sweat blood prove nation. considered whole experience hundred years ago.' Missouri Holland, 252 416, 433, 40 382, 383, 64 L.Ed. 641 (1920).5 37 5. sole custodian people. rests lower courts, courageous insisted Georgia—or Maine California New York, matter—should adopt upper house example—I measures cavalierly assumed. Perhaps cases easily nullified. Their meaning thrust perhaps deeper tally. hope, ado form. represent, led believe, acknowledgment republican form government read Welfare guaranties privileges immunities requires adherence decisions soundly reflect deepening conception, keeping social, ethical, religious understanding, great guaranties. such, reinvigorated national roots growth realization statute ideal. Today's reversal; belittling, say respect, Constitution's dynamic respect democracy—the 38 6. brushes off saying 'equal right' 'to dilution.' so. precisely heretofore beguiled changes scenery lost sight principle. Terry Adams, 345 461 esp. 465, 73 809, 811, 97 1152 (1953); Smith Allwright, 321 649, 661, 757, 763, 88 987 (1944). Wesberry 376 17, 526, 534 (1964). Here, least 'impairment' vote—indeed, obliteration effect. casting mechanical counting function—the office—the vote, protected. 39 object art. sacred important democracy freedom. simple terms, meaningless—it serves society—unless it, aggregate citizens, results effecting numerous differing views. short, vigilant protects fully serve purpose. favor exceeds rival, constitutionally themselves. permissible type regularly, decide differently. too society stripped protection'6 interpretation 41 essence, violated rivals. exactly here. 42 greatest regret reflects retreat principles proudly developed apply magnificent admonitions moral time. IV (Ga.Code 2—3004). 'How returns published.—The branch convene Hall, President Senate Sepaker Representatives publish presence direction Assembly; duly State; but, life, decline appointed elect, immediately, viva voce; Assembly, necessary choice.' Miss.Const., §§ 140, 141; Vt. Const., chapter 39. statutory North Carolina Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Hampshire, Jersey, Mexico, Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Wisconsin, Wyoming. provides: 34—1515 (Supp.1965) 'Whenever fail cured authority, filed notice candidacy, thereupon call position.' auditor 40—1801. Originally legislature, three Ga.Const.1789, 'We think analogies college, districting redistricting, phases problems representation conventions inapposite. inclusion historical concerns, validated collegiate numerical inequality, implied analogous accommodation ever undertaken, therefore validation inequality ensued.' 807. speaking vice '* won 6,000 10,000 county, get 4,000 different worth discarded.' 381, 12. figure take account 22, seat. Thompson Talmadge, 201 Ga. 867, 880, Eastern Reporter, 2nd 883, 895 (1947). died taking resemble presidential while specifically schemes. 801. 572—577, Learned Hand, Spirit Liberty 163 (1960). See, e.g., Baker Carr, 369 186, 82 691, 663 (1962); supra; 481 506 Harper Virginia Bd. Elections, 383 663, 1079, 169 (1966). Only last Term, 1079 burdened conditioned poll tax. observed: agree, Due Process 'does enact Herbert Spencer's Social Statics' (Lochner 198 45, 75, 539, 45 937). Likewise, shackled theory era. determining lines unconstitutionally discriminatory, never confined historic notions equality, due fixed catalogue limits fundamental rights. Malloy Hogan, 378 5—6, 1489, 653. Notions constitutes purposes change.' 669, 1082. classic statement Brandeis, dissent Olmstead 277 438, 472, 48 564, 570, 72 944 (1928): "We forget,' Chief Marshall McCulloch Wheat. 316, 407, 579, 'that expounding.' repeatedly sustained exercise Congress, various clauses instrument, objects fathers dreamed. likewise limitations powers government, embodied Fifth Amendments, forbid meeting modern conditions regulations half probably rejected arbitrary oppressive.' Village Euclid Ambler Realty Co., 272 365, 387, 47 114, 118, (71 303); Buck Bell, 274 200, 584, 71 1000. Clauses guaranteeing abuses power, similar capacity adaptation changing world.' Weems 217 349, 373, 544, 551, 54 793 (1910). 7.

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