Legal Document

457 U.S. 1 102 Supreme Court Reporter 2194 72 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 628 Jesus Rivera RODRIGUEZ et al., Appellants,v.POPULAR DEMOCRATIC PARTY al. Number 81-328. Argued March 22, 1982. Decided June 7, Syllabus A member of appellee Popular Democratic Party (hereafter appellee) who was elected in a 1980 general election to the Puerto Rico House Representatives from District 31, died 1981. The Governor subsequently called for "by-election" open all qualified voters 31—to fill vacancy. Appellee then filed suit Superior Rico, alleging that statutes under which purported act authorized only candidates and electors affiliated with participate by-election. Appellants, 31 are not appellee, intervened as defendants. court entered judgment appellee. modified Court's judgment, holding, inter alia, pertinent statute, properly construed, requires by-election if party legislator vacating seat fails designate replacement within 60 days after vacancy occurs, selects single candidate such period, is declared "automatically vacancy." rejected appellants' contention this procedure violated Federal Constitution. While case pending before Court, held primary its members were permitted resulted selection person who, pursuant mandate, sworn new representative 31. Held: interpreted by vest political initial authority appoint an interim one vacates position district senator or representative, does violate Pp. 5-14. (a) voting rights citizens constitutionally protected same extent those other citizens. At time, like state, autonomous entity, "sovereign over matters ruled Constitution," Calero-Toledo versus Pearson Yacht Leasing Co., 416 663, 673, 94 2080, 2086, 40 452, methods people their representatives have chosen structure Commonwealth's electoral system entitled substantial deference. 7-8. (b) right vote, per se, right, Constitution compel fixed method choosing state local officers representatives. citizen has elections on equal basis jurisdiction when Commonwealth provided be elected, statute at issue restrict access process afford unequal treatment different classes voters, candidates, parties. All opportunity select election; appointment provision applies uniformly legislative vacancies, whenever they arise. Cf. Valenti Rockefeller, 393 405, 89 689, 21 635. Moreover, serves legitimate purpose ensuring vacancies filled promptly, without necessity expense inconvenience special election. 8-12. (c) Nor Rico's mechanism rendered defective virtue fact power given previous incumbent affiliated. Legislature could reasonably conclude incumbent's would more fairly reflect will than some official, particularly where official party. And light interest minority representation legislature, it unreasonable establishing filling make continuity representation. 12-13. (d) Appellants' association protection laws exclusion, because affiliation, appellee's representative. law replacement, adopt own procedures selection. required include participation nonmembers. Pacific KF135 P2 14. ____ P.R.R. ____, affirmed. Philip Lacovara, Washington, D.C., appellants. Abe Fortas, appellees. Chief Justice BURGER delivered opinion Court. question presented appeal whether may Legislature. did We noted probable jurisdiction, 454 938, 472, 70 246 (1981), we affirm. 2 * In November 4, 1980, election, Ramon Muniz, Party, 31.1 Muniz January 28, opposition New Progressive "by-election"—open caused Muniz' death. Articles 5.006 5.007 Electoral Law P.R. Laws Ann., Tit. 16, §§ 3206, 3207 (Supp.1980).2 3 On 3, 1981, instituted action 10 20, Party; ordered General Administrator Elections limit members. App. Juris. Statement 36a. 4 divided judgment. It require event occurred; 60-day vacancy," rendering unnecessary. Barcelo, (1981). further presents during must conducted party-affiliated run but vote. no any party, well independent Because delay already occasioned litigation, 30 entry May 8, present "slate" Election Commission. "[i]f said slate limited candidate, he shall certified hold vacant seat." Id., ____.3 5 expressly commonwealth legislature. also several "compelling interests," stability "legislative balance" until next protecting "electoral mandate" reducing "inter-partisan campaigns once every four years." ____. II 6 common many States, adopted means elective offices full-scale election.4 If occurs office Governor, automatically Secretary State, officer appointed Governor. P.R.Const., Article IV, § 7. Mayoral municipal assemblies upon recommendation belonged. 21, 1161, 1259 (1974). Similarly, provides posts at-large senators representatives, see n.13, infra, "upon belonged Senator Representative causing . ." III, 8. Law, case, likewise confers each appointee regularly scheduled election.5 7 challenge mandated essentially two-pronged. Appellants first contend federal constitutional elect Legislature, therefore electors, kind. Alternatively, appellants maintain even impermissibly infringes First Amendment denies them laws. Atlantic 8 disputed fundamental protections extend inhabitants Rico. See Torres 442 465, 469-470, 99 2425, 2428-29, 61 (1979). Dorr 195 138, 148, 24 808, 812, 49 L.Ed. 128 (1904). particular, subject guarantees due Examining Board Flores de Otero, 426 572, 599-601, 96 2264, 2279-80, 65 (1976); 452 (1974).6 thus think clear States. 9 Constitution." Calero-Toledo, supra, S.Ct., 2086 (quoting Mora Mejias, 115 F.Supp. 610 (PR 1953)). Cordova & Simonpietri insurance Agency Incorporated Chase Manhattan Bank, 649 Reporter, 2nd 36, 39-42 (CA1 1981). should accord weight assessment justification need particular provisions death, resignation, removal Bearing these considerations mind, turn challenges. B No mandates follow U.S.Const., I, 2; Amdt. 17, cl. 2.7 nevertheless absolute vote purpose.8 However, often "does confer suffrage one," Minor Happersett, Wall. 162, 178, 22 627 (1875), "the right," San Antonio Independent School Dist. Rodriguez, 411 1, 35, n. 78, 93 1278, 1298, 36 16 (1973). McPherson Blacker, 146 38-39, 13 11-12, 869 (1892). previously claims compels 11 For example, Fortson Morris, 385 231, 234, 87 446, 448, 17 330 (1966), Black, speaking stated: 12 "There amendments either impliedly dictates State use Governor." Fortson, sustained Georgia empowering legislature two receiving highest number votes cast neither received majority. Sailors Education, 387 105, 1549, 18 650 (1967), upheld authorizing rather county school board.9 14 To sure, "a jurisdiction." Dunn Blumstein, 405 330, 336, 92 995, 1000, 274 (1972). Kramer Union Free District, 395 621, 626-629, 1886, 1889-90, 23 583 (1969); Gray Sanders, 372 368, 379-380, 83 801, 807-08, 821 (1963). here arise.10 15 635 (1969), York Senate congressional election—in period 29 months.11 Thus, although most Members popular Members, appointment. found nothing invidious arbitrary distinction Valenti, nor do here. As three-judge observed Valenti: "In confronted imperfection functioning democracy. portion state's can claim permanently disadvantaged lacks effective securing reform regarded unsatisfactory. have, rather, unusual, temporary, unfortunate combination tragic reasonable statutory scheme." 292 851, 867 (SDNY 1968). course, unlike involved interpretation Seventeenth Amendment, explicitly outlines Senate. n.7, supra. permits chooses, forgo favor temporary suggests prohibited exercising similar latitude regard discern imposes greater constraints choice effect Legislature; however, minimal, fall disproportionately discrete group n.10, plainly preclude practical widely accepted addressing infrequent problem. Contract 19 appointments vested Commonwealth, so legitimacy derivative voter approval control." Reply Brief 15. control largely illusory illustrated official.12 20 serving protect mandate preceding preserve held. Such important legislature.13 Garcia 671 6-7 1982). Kaelin Warden, 334 602, 607-608 (ED Pa. 1971) (three-judge Court).14 Absent limitation, free meet "special concerns circumstances," Garcia, Finally, argue based solely Party-sponsored successor, n.3, Branti Finkel, 445 507, 100 1287, 63 574 (1980). argument misconceives nature case. seat. replacement; nonmembers what analogized Wisconsin, 450 107, 101 1010, 67 82 (1981); Cousins Wigoda, 419 477, 95 541, 42 595 (1975). exclusion association, deprive III foreclosed Accordingly, Affirmed. Legislative Assembly consists chambers—the Representatives, 51 members, Senate, 27 2. years officials. VI, 4; P.R.Laws 3201, 3205 (Supp.1980). provides, part: "When district, nominated fifteen (15) months immediately date following advice [Commonwealth Election] Commission shall, thirty (30) occurred, call later ninety (90) call, term his predecessor expired. "If sixty (60) arises, office, deemed legislator, effects holding it." provides: "All geographic held, issued effect, by-election." while participate. From field Party's selected Juan Corujo Collazo. Pursuant Collazo's name Commission, July 6, appointment, expiration incumbent. Alaska Stat.Ann. 15.40.320 seq. (1975) (unless expires session convenes); Colo.Rev.Stat. 1-12-103 (1980); Haw.Rev.Stat. 17-3, 17-4 (1976 Supp.1981); Idaho Code 59-904A Ill.Rev.Stat., ch. 46, ¶ 25-6 Ind.Code 2-2.1-2-1 (Cum.Supp.1981); Kan.Stat.Ann. 25-312(1981); Md.Const., 13; Mont.Code Ann. 5-2-401 Neb.Rev.Stat. 32-1042(3) (1978); Nev.Const., biennial regular between time session); N.M.Stat.Ann. 2-7-9B,2-8-9B N.C.Gen.Stat. 163-11 Ohio Const., II, 11; Ore.Rev.Stat. 171.051, 171.060 (1981) session; 90 days; convened election); S.D.Const., 10; Tenn.Code 2-14-201 (1979) (if less remain Utah 20-1-5 (Supp.1981); Vt.Stat.Ann., 2623 Wash.Const., 52, 2, 15; W.Va.Code 3-10-5 (1979); Wyo.Stat. 22-18-111(a)(ii), (iii) (1977). Like five States—Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina—confer Nine Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming—require list submitted confirmed officials Another States—Hawaii Nevada—simply her current prescribed 1938 amendment Organic Act, remained assumed status 1952. amendment, Congress central committee member." Act 1938, 308, 30, 52 Statutes-at-Large 595. Title 48 KF62 891, 892 presently provide Resident Commissioner consent never necessary resolve precise guarantee Ricans Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Due Process Fifth Amendment. U.S., 601, 2280-2281. With happen Representation Executive Authority thereof Writs Vacancies." executive writs vacancies: Provided, That empower direct." source somewhat unclear. eligible "shall Qualifications requisite Electors numerous Branch Legislature"—contemplates legislators popularly elected. 17. essential element "Republican Form Government," 4. 731c, requiring republican form government. seems irrelevant, since established "whose direct election," 1. guaranteeing "equal, direct, universal suffrage. Sailors, left "whether constitute body through appointive process." 109-110, 1552-53 (emphasis added). consider whether, urged appellants, barred abolishing branch government; presented. n.8, "discriminates" districts out term, former denied represented legislator. Obviously, designed deal occasional problem affect actually reason invalid principles. unexpected, unpredictable event, providing impact candidates. Bullock Carter, 134, 849, (1972); Williams Rhodes, 23, 5, (1968). adds basic assertion created death Robert KF105 F3 Kennedy 1968. Under law, arose prior York's spring even-numbered year, i.e., 1970. empowered December 853 1968) Court). 1982): "One might argue, matter form, governor indeed 'democratic' himself Yet practice likely difference produce successors circumstances, how framers constitution governor, representative's won reflecting knowledge practice, perfectly consistent democratic role modern party—translating individual wills myriad into practically achievable program administered government responsible performance polls." Two devices ensure parties Assembly. First, "at-large," at-large. 3. Second, elects two-thirds house increased declaring sufficient minority-party bring total House. Appellees unique been far beyond importance Union, order forum outlet radically views various ultimate sense maintaining elections; incumbent, designation n.4,

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