Legal Document

440 U.S. 612 99 Supreme Court Reporter 1523 59 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 619 Peggy Judge CONNOR et al.v.J. Pacific KF135 P2 COLEMAN, Judge, of Appeals, al Number 78-1013 the March 26, 1979 On motion for leave to file a petition writ mandamus. 1979. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioners are plaintiffs in suit seeking reapportionment Mississippi Legislature. In most recent Court's decisions this extended litigation, Connor versus Finch, 431 407, 426, 97 1828, 52 465 (1977), it reversed judgment District and directed that court draw new plan elections "with compelling awareness need its expeditious accomplishment." 2 remand, after further proceedings, parties developed settlement plan. Negotiations broke down, however, over wording consent decree. meantime, State had adopted statutory fashioned by legislature. Because Attorney General States, acting pursuant Voting Rights Act 1965, 42 Code KF62 § 1973c, refused approve legislature's plan, brought under Columbia, declaration does not have discriminatory purpose or effect. 3 Acting on state defendants' motion, case determined stay all proceedings until was entered Columbia litigation. If upheld, would supersede any court-ordered one. See Wise Lipscomb, 437 535, 539-542, 98 2493, 57 411 (1978). then submitted mandamus require adopt contend some scheme must be effect June 7, filing deadline elections. argue may date, that, unless files now, time limitations effectively will preclude them from obtaining review order Court. It is argued response immediate unduly disruptive if filed were supplanted before 7. The has indicated, absent conclusion suit, into May 4 only issue here, therefore, whether should now rather than 7; we do question good faith We believe, better course now. unlikely event legislative potential candidates more month reassess their prospects. If, other hand, go faced with requests emergency granted, could force changes days 7 deadline. Leave therefore granted. instructed, forthwith without delay, final Our consideration continued 30 days. Coleman, 425 675, 679, 96 1814, 48 295 (1976). 5 so ordered. 6 Mr. Justice POWELL took no part decision motion. MARSHALL, dissenting. 8 For 13 years, three-judge Southern avoided implementing an apportionment which satisfies requirements Equal Protection Clause. comes us eighth time, chose ignore our directive, issued nearly 22 months ago, resolve controversy expeditiously. my view, cannot tolerate such defiance. Accordingly, & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions grant plaintiffs' supports, mandamus, but as well. 9 This litigation began 1965 when private successfully challenged extreme population variances existing apportionment. Johnson, 256 F.Supp. 962 (1966). After legislature enacted failed meet constitutional standards, formulated own temporary 1967 quadrennial Under 34 house districts 10 36 senate multimember. 410 n. 3, (1977). variance absolute equality between largest smallest 20.83%, 23.24%. 265 492, 504-507 (1967). appeal, affirmed opinion use 386 483, 87 1174, 18 224 struck down second 1971. place, devised 1971 authorized multimember representation almost half districts. 330 506 (D.C.1971). formulate State's three counties, instead ordering interim those areas. 11 Upon stayed Emphasizing "when district courts forced fashion plans, single-member preferable large general matter" because they closely reflect voter preferences, 402 690, 692, 91 1760, 29 268 (1971), ruled implemented one counties instructed extend 14, 1971, and, "absent insurmountable difficulties," "devise put effect" county date. Ibid. did institute found difficulties fact insurmountable. 521 (1971). denied interlocutory relief. 403 928, 2241, 722 12 came here again direct appeal unanimously concluded 18.9% districts, 19.7% "raise[d] substantial questions concerning constitutionality design permanent apportionment." Williams, 404 549, 550, 92 656, 704 (1972). Nevertheless, declined invalidate already been held. Id., at 550-551, 656. Similarly, unnecessary determine prospective validity retained jurisdiction imposed stated Special Master appointed January 1972 consider these divided substantially equal 1975 551, Reiterating preference judicially summarily vacated remanded directions "go forward promptly concluded." (emphasis added). Despite instructions, appointed. 676, April 1973, year issued, Legislature reapportionment. immediately objections 18. Almost two years later, February 1975, finally held hearing objections. While pending, learned considering revisions "Heeding teachings" Chapman Meier, 420 1, 95 751, 766 (1975), primarily responsibility legislatures, delayed expected action. Waller, 396 1308, 1311 (1975). When acted dismissed complaint amended addressing complaint, essentially approving 1332. reversed. 421 2003, 44 486. Acts "are effective laws cleared 5" Act. Relying unambiguous holdings Allen Board Elections, 393 544, 89 817, (1969), Perkins Matthews, 400 379, 431, 27 476 erred deciding challenges Acts. cases, inquiry open covered enactment received requisite federal scrutiny. U.S., 383-384, 431; 558-561, 817. Georgia 526, 93 1702, 472 (1973), clearly encompasses Acts, clearance. Particularly members also overstepping inquiries permitted 5, see 301 565 (S.D.Miss.1969), undertaking statute inexcusable. 14 impose became appropriate so. 657, 2003. Four decision, 9, 5. interposed his objection, thereby foreclosing implementation ground demonstrated absence impact. Consequently, hearings, there insufficient August primary. similar both previously General. And, once again, despite admonitions supra, court's relied heavily districts.1 15 imposing measures, professed intent avoid delay preparing actions, belied representation. establish approval although articulated "its firm determination matter out way 1976." App. Pet. Mandamus O.T.1975, 75-1184, Page 4a. 1976, moved set 10, date court, deferred deliberations decided pending cases involving issues. 678, 1814.2 16 19, decided, allowed 17 "carry assurance given 29, 1976 'bring trial . .' schedule within proposed plans end entering embodying reapportioning accordance law applicable election legislators elections, necessary special coincide November Presidential congressional earliest practicable thereafter." 1814. 19 thereupon required adopting 20 finding "fail[ed] elemental requirement Clause area—that 'as practicable.' " 409-410, 1828 (citations omitted); spite previous holding ordinarily achieve de minimis variation,3 invalidation reapportionments variations 5.97%, 13.1%,4 strong suggestion near 20% unacceptable, countenanced maximum deviations 16.5% 19.3% justified excessive preservative political boundaries, alternative served policy against fragmenting boundaries closer achieving equality. 420, 1828. Moreover, observed 21 "unexplained departures results might flow neutral guidelines can lead, charge explicable terms minimize voting strength minority group." 425, Without stating explicitly charges justified, "reasonably contiguous compact explain precisely why particular instance goal accomplished." 425-426, Finally, insisted uncertain forthwith, stating: 23 "The task facing remand approached great care, accomplishment, citizens long last enabled elect properly represents them." 24 A 21, 1977, 1978. Approximately 1978, registered objection July 31, next day, declaratory 25 Meanwhile, below ordered conference June, agreed.5 2, defendants opposed parties, Thereafter, September, negotiations agree introduce evidence court. 26 October 12, requested enter At relying (1978), "not rush [was] pending." Tr. 3-4 deadlines disposition it. counsel action, appeared conclude intervening actions somehow dissolved mandate 11-12. reiterated 1979, "purely authority we've waiting what about plan." petitioners' judges assured D.C. 31 primary implement 28 However, even assuming met deadline, meaningful prior primaries. Given "painfully protracted" 410, dismal record Court, believe appellate simply afford another opportunity disregard mandates. Furthermore, justifications latest procrastination unfounded invoked evade judicial responsibilities. Lipscomb provides excuse ignoring express directive supra. To sure, WHITE's joined STEWART, noted give "reasonable opportunity" acceptable formulating itself. 540, 2493. But novel legal principle. Indeed, statement 27, approved 616. Especially light deference, reasonable case, point minimal intrusion prerogatives. indicated provisional options available sustains reapportionment, whatever imposes govern election. easily inconvenience transition largely tracks 1978 respect majority 2; Reply Brief 2-3.6 administrative justify imposition temporary, constitutionally infirm occurred Nor merit exceed function resolution argument disregards, apparently did, Lipscomb: "Legislative bodies tasks courts; responsibilities respond, imminence makes impractical so, becomes 'unwelcome obligation,' [431 U.S.] 415, [97 1828] devise later 32 * 33 ". State, including purportedly considered 'effective law' clearance Pending submission clearance, electoral processes completely frustrated, times necessarily drawn process plans." 542, Awaiting well frustrate processes. Such deny proved demonstrably reluctant follow decisions. permit compromise rights voters requiring vacancies conducted ad hoc adaptations invalid See, e. g., 14; 2. 35 reliance transparent attempt unequivocal command intransigence, particularly malfeasance, warrants extraordinary sanctions. As held: "When lower refuses to, misconstrues mandate, action controlled either upon understood power judgments." Baltimore Ohio R. company 279 781, 785, 49 73 L.Ed. 954 (1929). 37 Accord, Haley, 371 18, 83 11, (1962). 38 granted forthwith. Forty-two eighty-four 39 Senate 9. Jewish Organizations Carey, 430 144, 996, 51 229 Beer 130, 1357, 47 629 (1976), East Carroll Parish School Marshall, 424 636, 1083, 296 26-27, Kirkpatrick Preisler, 394 1225, 519 (1969); Wells Rockefeller, 1234, 535 (1969). Of course, apportionments entitled greater deference plans. (1977); 541, Joint Apportionment Committee polled houses favored receive 10. Significant differences remain, regarding number Negro respective 10-11,

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