Legal Document

405 U.S. 15 92 Supreme Court Reporter 804 31 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1 Richard L. ROUDEBUSH, Appellant,v.R. Vance HARTKE et al. Theodore SENDAK, Attorney General of Indiana, Apellant, versus R. Nos. 70—66, 70—67. Argued Dec. 13, 1971. Decided Feb. 23, 1972. Syllabus Incumbent Senator Hartke was certified by the Indiana Secretary State to Governor as winner close 1970 senatorial election. Candidate Roudebush filed a timely recount petition in state court. The court denied Hartke's motion dismiss on grounds conflict with and Federal Constitutions, granted for recount. sought an injunction against District Court, invoking jurisdiction under 28 Code KF62 § 1343(3) claiming that barred Article I, 5, Constitution, delegating Senate power judge elections, returns, qualifications its members. three-judge issued requested injunction. After appeals were here, seated 'without prejudice outcome appeal pending . without any might order.' then moved moot. Held: 1. issue whether is valid exercise State's prescribe times, places, manner holding pursuant 4, or forbidden infringement Senate's not moot, has postponed making final determination who entitled office this action. Pp. 18—19. 2. from issuing 2283, which generally prohibits federal enjoining proceedings. 20—23. (a) That section does restrict acting nonjudicial capacity. Pacific KF135 P2 21. (b) court's functions are nonjudicial, they consist merely determining correct form appointing commissioners. 21 22. (c) complaint did seek enjoin action but rather commission proceeding after had appointed members commission. 3. prohibit ballots will prevent independent evaluation election more than original count did, it would be mere speculation assume Indiana's procedure impair ability make judgment. 23—26. 321 F.Supp. 1370, reversed. Donald Atlantic Schabel, Indianapolis, Ind., appellant Roudebush. C. Johnson, Inc., Sendak. John Judge Dillon, appellees. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. closest history. incumbent, (Hartke), declared plurality 4,383 votes—a margin approximately one vote per precinct. On November 16, 1970, 13 days election, been re-elected. following day, candidate (Roudebush) Superior Marion County recount.1 petition, arguing conflicted Constitutions. December 1, It three-man directed begin task 8. 2 Southern asking He invoked 1343(3)2 claimed prohibited Constitution States, delegates members.3 A single district order temporarily restraining decision successfully intervene defendant, convened 2284. taking testimony hearing argument, ruled favor interlocutory injunction, dissenting. both brought direct Court.4 3 January 21, 1971, shortly jurisdictional statements filed, administered oath Hartke, certificate seated, however, ..'5 Following seat him, We consolidated further consideration questions cause merits. 401 972, 91 1201, 321. 4 * consider first claim these This based upon proposition, stated appellee brief, 'basic issue' before 'whether Indiana.' Since now since alter judgment,6 follows, argument goes, case 5 difficulty erroneous statement issue.' Which is, sure, nonjusticiable political question—a question have business even acted.7 actual us, different one. votes power, elections,8 5. 6 because Senator, lawsuit. Once resolved assured received tally, free unconditional judgment Until made, controversy remains alive, we obliged it.9 II 7 position appellants that, quite apart merits controversy, reason proceedings except few specific instances.10 weight, course, only if statutory 'proceeding court' within meaning 2283. said predecessor 2283,11 'The provision expresses face duty 'hands off' courts use stay litigation court.'12 More recently, characterized statute designed assure 'the maintenance judicial systems legal controversives.'13 8 past recognized every function involves 'litigation' 'legal controversies.' In Prentis Coast Line Co., 211 210, 29 67, 53 L.Ed. 150, reviewed preventing fixing passenger rail rates. assumed powers 2283 governed attempt commission's powers. Nevertheless, concluded rate-making could enjoined legislative nature. Hence, held when involved function. 9 To determine engages connection recount, turn law State.14 right can obtain filing circuit superior appropriate county. If form, 'shall grant such .' When grants required appoint three commissioners carry out appointments no other responsibilities powers.15 10 limited constitute test Prentis: 'A inquiry investigates, declares enforces liabilities stand present facts laws supposed already exist. purpose end.' U.S., at 226, S.Ct., 69. courts' duties may ministerial, perhaps administrative, clearly do fall definition 'judicial inquiry.' process form—that contains proper information, names addresses all candidates, filed—is proceeding. Nonjudicial functionaries continually similar determinations processing kinds applications.16 11 And finally, ask restrain such. ruling formal correctness petition; appointive sought, rather, commission.17 12 conclude 2281 issue, cause. III turn, therefore, Court's decision. Election calls initially counted, each precinct, board. recording voting machine totals, board seals machines. Paper ballots, including absentee counted tallied. Counted placed bag sealed. Ballots bear distinguishing marks mutilated reveal voter's choice counted. These rejected sealed separate bag. Both bags preserved six months opened recount.18 14 conducted county, tallies checked containing paper opened. new shall words, reject rejected. Disputes settled majority vote. finishes bag, another. completed, previous returns superseded.19 procedures contrary two ways. First, found judgments count, judging member Senate. usurpation exercise. Second, paraphernalia essential evidence need qualifications. feared endanger integrity those materials increase hazard their accidental destruction. Thus, usurping exclusive hindering power. 16 cannot agree either ground.20 Unless Congress acts, empowers regulate conduct elections.21 bredth powers: 'It doubted comprehensive words embrace authority provide complete code congressional times relation notices, registration, supervision voting, protection voters, prevention fraud corrupt practices, counting votes, inspectors canvassers, publication returns; short, enact numerous requirements safeguards experience shows necessary enforce fundamental involved.' Smiley Holm, 285 355, 366, 52 397, 399, 76 795. 17 found, along many guard irregularity error tabulation availability Despite fact leading 30 results candidate's option compel exercised.22 integral part electoral ambit broad delegated 4. 18 true verification accuracy totally separable elections returns. But 'usurp' frustrates independently evaluating initial does. accept apparent count,23 and, chooses, own recount.24 19 finding probability destruction ballots. there suppose court-appointed less honest conscientious performance precinct boards 20 For reasons expressed, conducting Senator. Accordingly, so ordered. 22 Judgment 23 POWELL REHNQUIST took cases. 24 DOUGLAS, whom BRENNAN concurs, dissenting part. 25 While & N Immigration Nationality Decisions cases moot disagree 26 By virtue custom, prior holdings, settle contest once contestee albeit conditionally. 27 provides: 'Each House Elections, Returns Qualifications Members.' implement authority, established custom resolving disagreements over candidates race attracted loser initiate stating what irregularities he suspects, how affected. Upon receipt special committee authorized investigate charges alleged. allegations frivolous sufficient, true, subpoenaed Washington recounting committee. Also, witnesses testify. performs deciding factual issues sufficient warrant favorable petition. Iowa campaign 1924, Smith Brookhart Daniel Steck, illegal cast his opponent. referred Subcommittee Privileges Elections full investigation. heard recounted Washington. eventually agreed earlier assumptions, Steck won. replaced Iowa. See Brookhart, Election, Expulsion Censure Cases 1789 1960, S.Doc. Number 71, 87th Cong., Sess., 116—117 (1962). also Hurley Chavez, id., 151 (upon recounting, subcommittee neither won vacant); Sweeney Kilgore, 145 (adjustments fraudulent tactics insufficient reverse official outcome); O'Conor Markey, 144 (recount 1946 Maryland revealed too mistakes reversal Willis Van Nuys, 138—139 (petition recount); Bursum Bratton, 114 absent showing doubt count). flexible: never perfected rules challenging claimant serve, inasmuch presents facts. practice act merits, although some general principles evolved precedents established. 'This viewing affecting claims membership individual resulted variety means originated. Senator-elect appears credentials. occasions, credentials presented, Senators submit Committee Rules Administration, report, privilege office. adoption motion, steps aside vacant time being. Any arising made presentation privileged 'On Senatorelect permitted take office, regarded followed procedure, thereafter undertaken Resolutions calling investigations offered instance where newspaper charged obtained means, himself resolution investigation charges. 32 usual origin cases, contestant file protesting seating contestee, asserting question. swearing-in rights lost afterwards. petitions signed others contestant, simply behalf defeated candidate. number citizens practices improper money, unfitness serve 33 addressed Senate, laid presiding officer formally presented There prescribed somewhat analogous customarily sets forth based, support proof expected adduced. usually '. matters relating President, Vice Members Congress; practices; contested elections; qualifications; (and) ..' Legislative Reorganization Act standing committee, hold hearings, sit places during sessions, recesses, adjourned periods require subpena otherwise attendance production correspondence, books, papers, documents, expenditures (not excess $10,000 Congress) deems advisable. Each into matter report hearings it.' S.Doc.No. vii—viii 34 parties apparently agreement several arenas public decision-making, 'textually demonstrable constitutional commitment' (Baker Carr, 369 186, 217, 82 691, 710, 663; Powell McCormack, 395 486, 518—549, 89 1944, 1962—1978, 491) lawful votes. Our agrees. Barry ex rel. Cunningham, 279 597, 49 452, 73 867, Reed Comm'rs, 277 376, 48 531, 72 924, generated disputed 1926 Pennsylvania William Vare appeared Wilson. inquire used influence nomination asked local county produce certain refused, whereupon compelling ballots' production. appeal, fully competent subpoena secure lacked behest course discussing committee's scope said: 35 resolutions construed having regard possessed exerted empowered, aid Representatives executive department. carries information decide concerning elections.' 388, 532. 36 supra, upheld call history same controverted Reed. answer unseated (and therefore witness relieved inquiries) held: 37 enough say (Vare) elected, effect. certificate, membership. Thereby, rightfulness adjudicate immediately attached article Constitution.' 614, 455. 38 Cunningham holds sole members, incidental statute.' Id., 619, 457 (emphasis added). Judicial interference 'indubitable power' possible clear 'such arbitrary improvident denial due law.' 620, 457. 39 certification election—a principle widely courts. Laxalt Cannon, 80 Nev. 588, 397 Reporter, 2nd 466, cited therein. 40 Houses engraft beyond contained 491, stake greater supreme resolve controversies.1 41 Although end contest, nub instant comes down opposing positions important preserve opportunity ground unimpeachable evidence. phase majority. 42 recomputation supervised laboratory conditions acceptable guide Such recomputation, investigators exposed presently human 43 Obviously, officials desire preview deliberations. 44 Charges suspicions inadvertent intentional alteration, however baseless, infect case. No longer constitutionally designated tribunal able bottom result unassailed slight adjustment tally dramatically outcome, interest preserving manifest. 45 What should justiciable controversy. role protect subject matter, supra. example, thereby precluding, practical Or Either control discretion unreviewable choice,2 46 affirm counties. Recounts counties postponed, Title 1343 civil commenced person: '(3) redress deprivation, color law, statute, ordinance, regulation, usage, right, immunity secured providing equal persons States.' viewed suit substantively 1983, authorizes person deprived, 'of rights, privileges, immunities U.S.Const., provides pertinent part: Direct orders 1253. 117 Cong.Rec. 6. 532, 924; '(The Senate) department.' 491. Times, Places Manner Representatives, Legislature thereof; Law Regulations, chusing Senators.' 496, 1950. expressly Congress, jurisdiction, effectuate judgments.' dates 1793. Mar. 2, 1793, 5; Statutes-at-Large 334. Toucey New York Life insurance 314 118, 132, 62 139, 143, 86 100. (Emphasis supplied.) company Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers, 398 281, 285, 90 1739, 1742, 234. Hill Martin, 296 393, 398, 56 278, 280, 293. Ind.Ann.Stat., §§ 29—5401 through 29—5417, IC 3—1 27—1 3—1—27—17. provisions appear give broader See, e.g., Conn.Gen.Stat.Rev. 9—323; Va.Code Ann. 24—277.1 (1969). unlike Public Service Northern Illinois Corboy, 250 153, 440, 63 905. property owners establish drainage construct ditch. assist planning ditch, empowered commissioner. commissioner served submitted plans construction. submissions. approved plans, allocated funds Applying Prentis, activities judicial, construction ditch 'proceeding.' Central Electric Gas City Stromsburg, D.C., 192 aff'd, Cir., 289 217 (federal appointment appraiser statute); Jersey 82, aff'd sub nom. Lehigh Valley 100 139 ministerial judge, converting tax lien taxpayer); Weil Calhoun, KF105 F3 865 ordinary, probate declaring election). injunctive relief amended 'that permanently defendants Samuel Walker, Hammond Duge Butler (the commissioners) convening commencing defendant concert him (from) machinery forward 3, 1970.' An sought. Ind.Ann.Stat. 29—5201 29—5220, 3—1—25 3—1—25—20. 29—5417. decided rulings. Batchelet Dekalb Circuit 248 Ind. 481, 229 North Eastern 798; Beaman Pike County, 190, 96 671; Acker Reeves, 126, 95 838. recounts elections. They address n. 8, certify duly elected 'as soon receive' period receiving days. 29—5306 29—5309, 3—1—26—6 3—1—26—9. held. 29—5403 3—1—27—3. nor another 29—5409 3—1—27—9. commence until least five appointed. 29—5411 3—1—27—11. Additional elapses notified. unlikely completed becomes obligated count. supersedes though issued. 29—5415 3—1—27—15. set Constitution. One people State. Amend. XVII. itself procedure. E.g., Several areas decisionmaking immune review Baker 663. Cf. Ex parte Peru, 318 578, 793, 87 1014.

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