Legal Document

335 U.S. 281 69 Supreme Court Reporter 1 93 L.Ed. 3 MacDOUGALL et al.v.GREEN al. Number 348. Argued Oct. 18, 1948. Decided 21, Appeal from the District of United States for Northern Illinois, Eastern Division. Messrs. John Abt, New York City, and Richard Federal KF105 F3 Watt, Chicago, Ill., appellants. Mr. William C. Wines, Ill. appellees Dwight or Haw. Hawai‘i Reports KFH45 A2 Green, Governor others. Melvin Wingersky, appellees, Michael Judge Flynn, Clerk Cook County, PER CURIAM. This action was brought before a three-judge court convened in Illinois under 28 Code KF62 § 2281 2284, Annotated KF65 U5 2281, 2284. The object is an injunction against enforcement provision which, 1935, added to statute which requires that petition form nominate candidates new political party be signed by at least 25,000 qualified voters, 'Provided, included aggregate total twenty-five thousand (25,000) signatures are two hundred (200) voters each fifty (50) counties within State.' Ill.Rev.Stat. chapter 46, 10—2(1947). Appellants 'Progressive Party,' its nominees Senator, Presidential Electors, State offices, several voters. Appellees Governor, Auditor Public Accounts, Secretary members Boards Election Commissioners various cities, County Clerks counties. found want jurisdiction denied 80 F.Supp. 725. invoke this 1253, 1253. 2 arises finding Officers Electoral Board appellants had not obtained requisite number consequent ruling their nominating 'not sufficient law entitle said candidates' names appear on ballot.' appellants' claim equitable relief based upon peculiar distribution population among Illinois' 102 They allege 52% State's registered residents alone, 87% 49 most populous counties, only 13% reside 5o Under these circumstances, they say, so discriminatory application as amount denial due-process, equal-protection, privileges-and-immunities clauses Fourteenth Amendment, well Article I, §§ 4, II, 1, Seventeenth Amendment Constitution States. It clear requirement 200 50 gives less power completely block nomination whose support confined geographically limited areas. But entitled deem disproportionate: required, 9,800, 39%, need distributed; remaining 61% may single county. And largest, contains more than allowable policy require state-wide office should have concentrated locality. unique policy. See Laws 1896, 909, 57, now N.Y.Elec.Law 137(4); 113 Ohio 349, Gen.Code, 4785—91 (1929), Ann. (Cum.Supp.1947) 4785—91; Mass.Acts 1943, 334, 2, Mass.Ann.Laws 53, 6 (1945). To assume function exclusively numbers disregard practicalities government. Thus, protects interests smaller greater giving Senate entirely unequal representation populations. would strange indeed, doctrinaire, Court, applying such broad constitutional concepts due process equal protection laws, deny assure proper diffusion initiative between thinly populated those having masses, view fact latter practical opportunities exerting weight polls available former. instrument government—makes no demands Colegrove versus 328 549, 66 1198, 90 1432, Barrett, 330 804, 67 973, 91 1262. 4 On record us, we pass purely local questions, also urged appellants, federal aspect. 5 Judgment affirmed. Justice RUTLEDGE. 7 In facts legal issues case closely analogous Cologrove 1432. presents serious questions crucial validity election procedures imminently impending general election. That bare majority resolve them one way three others hold opposing views emphasizes substantial character supreme importance. These qualities diminished Attorney General appearing so-called 'State Certifying Board,'1 has conceded his brief position bar confessed error decision Court. Nor it insignificant irrelevant statutory made state officials effect denies body right exercise suffrage behalf choice. 8 Forced exigencies situation, invoked equity vindication rights. seek injunctive relief, effect, compel placing ballot held November 2. For present purposes acted with all possible dispatch. Even so, find ourselves confronted eve alternatives denying sought directing issuance injunction. 9 choice, my opinion, question necessarily properly decided. Beyond poses delicate problems concerning propriety granting prevailing circumstances. if rights been violated, arise whether, arm courts can extended give effective relief; whether given, might do harm good, indeed either disrupt altogether disfranchise persons disfranchised questioned procedures. 10 Every reason existing supra, seemed me compelling decline decide here. opinion concurring result, page 564, 1208, Indeed circumstances exigent therefore conclusion. 11 We national twelve days remain. Necessarily some consumed remanding cause consideration, formulation essentially specific terms. ballots, certified officials, printing distribution. Absentee ballots distributed. states. Millions will but alone. true that, short us time preparing both briefs, who oppose absolutely conclusive factual showing containing candidates, could possibly printed distributed use suggest good done. task gigantic. mobilization every resource, gravely doubtful accomplished. risk very large except absentee disfranchised. Issuance invalidate already prepared, including course preparation. 12 sum considerations, without regard necessary state, forces conclude late stage electoral gravest disrupting disfranchising perhaps much represent. judgment, undertake free historic limits jurisdiction. 13 Accordingly, & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions express other presented. As think reasons stated, properly, should, equity. solely reason, agree judgment refusing 14 DOUGLAS, whom BLACK MURPHY concur, dissenting. 15 1935 amendment Code, 10—2(1947), construed applied case, violates Equal Protection Clause Amendment. 16 party, places election, contain state. does attempt make required proportionate One electorate place ballot. Twenty-five however, 53 elect office. regulation thus discriminates favor rural sections. lacks equality 17 Free honest elections foundation our republican dealing here important people—the voting electors provided Constitution; people senators, guaranteed Amendment; choose representatives Congress, Constitution. Discrimination any group class citizens constitutionally protected citizenship deprives integrity. covers extends integral part process, primaries. Classic, 313 299, 61 1031, 85 1368; Smith Allwright, 321 649, 64 757, 88 987, 151 American Law 1110. When chosen petition, procedure becomes process. same grants part. 18 None twice vote primary lack guarantees. Nixon Herndon, 273 536, 47 446, 71 759. dilution complete discrimination appears prescribed petitions. ex rel. Ragan Junkin, Neb. 122 Northwestern KF135 N69 473, 23 L.R.A.,N.S., 839. would, course, palpably violation were aimed Progressive Party manner Negroes. bring condemnation however innocent purpose. invalid apparent operation. test experience, practicality, necessity. Skinner Oklahoma, 316 535, 541, 542, 62 1110, 1113, 86 1655. 19 enough say stand because designed statewide launching rather few localities. There here, said, even approximately No allocation mathematically exact. required. when, applies rigid, arbitrary formula sparsely settled alike, offers basis whatever justify individual votes another group. legislation inherent infirmity saw 569, 1210, Constitutional itself sanctions inequalities phases system1 allowing create additional ones. theme notion granted strength hostile standards popular representative 20 hesitant elections. Wilson North Carolina, 169 586, 596, 435, 439, 42 865. If undertook role superintendence, disruption whole elective system vital government paralyzed. Cf. Johnson Stevenson, Cir., 170 Reporter, 2nd Series 108. court, moreover, must always alert discretion sure decree futile ineffective thing. indicate considerations deter striking down unconstitutional freeing impediments. responsible intimation suggestion. authorized interfere orderly composed Accounts State, petitions formation parties filed board. 46 (1947) 10—2, 4. filing timely objection petitions, certifying board transmits objections Board, action. After passing objection, informs ruling, 'abide comply intents purposes.' 10—10. Where made, where overruled, county clerks; clerks boards commissioners, groups being action, thereupon print certified. 10—14. Federalist explained follows: 'If right, thoroughly incorporated into nation, district ought proportional share government, independent sovereign States, bound together simple league, parties, size, common councils, compound republic, partaking character, founded mixture principles representation. 'the allowed once recognition portion sovereignty preserving residuary sovereignty. So far acceptable small States; since solicitous guard, expedient, improper consolidation republic. 'Another advantage accruing ingredient constitution is, impediment prove acts legislation. resolution passed concurrence, first, people, then, States.'

Classification Label: 1