Legal Document

380 U.S. 528 85 Supreme Court Reporter 1177 14 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 50 Atlantic M. HARMAN, Jr., et al., Appellants,v.Lars FORSSENIUS al. Number 360. Argued March 1 and 2, 1965. Decided April 27, Joseph C. Carter, Richmond, Va., for appellants. or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 E. Windener, Bristol, appellees. Harold Greene, Washington, D.C., States, as amicus curiae, by special leave of Court. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion We are called upon in this case to construe, first time, Twenty-fourth Amendment Constitution States: 2 'The right citizens vote any primary other election President Vice President, electors Senator Representative Congress, shall not be denied abridged State reason failure pay poll tax tax.' 3 The precise issue is whether § 24—17.2 Virginia Code which provides that order qualify federal elections one must either a file witnessed notarized certificate residence1—contravenes command. 4 Prior adoption Amendment, (Art. II, §§ 18—20) statutes (Va.Code Ann. 24—17, 24—67 (1950)) established uniform standards qualification voting both state elections. requirements were: (1) citizenship; (2) minimum age twenty-one; (3) residence year, city county six months, precinct thirty days; (4) payment 'at least months prior * proper officer all taxes ($1,50 annually) assessed assessable against him three years next preceding such election.'2 further provided permanent registration.3 Once registered, voters could subsequent merely paying taxes. 5 In 1963, anticipation promulgation Governor convened session General Assembly. On November 21 Assembly enacted two Acts4 designed 6 '(1) enable persons register without required 24th continue effect present registration Virginia, provide methods registered may prove they meet 18 Virginia.'5 7 No changes were made with regard With elections, however, an absolute prerequisite was eliminated, provision added requiring voter each year or, at his option, customary statute filed no earlier than October immediately desires later election. (which witnessed) address, he currently resident has been since date registration, does presently intend remove from general Va.Code (1964 Supp.). Thus, result 1963 Acts, citizen after 24—17 If paid cannot only filing year. 24—17.1, 8 appeal originated separate class actions, brought appellees District Eastern attacking foregoing provisions legislation violative Article I, Fourteenth, Seventeenth, Amendments thereto. complaints, prayed declaratory injunctive relief, named defendants (appellants here) members Board Elections and, case, County Treasurer Roanoke County, other, Director Finance Fairfax County. jurisdiction invoked pursuant 28 KF62 1331, 1343, 2201 (1958 ed.), court judges 2281, 2284 ed.). 9 State's motion stay proceedings give courts opportunity resolve issues interpret involved. motions dismiss join indispensable parties, claim on relief granted, want justiciable controversy.6 merits, held requirement 'a distinct qualification' 'increase (in) quantum necessary proof residence' imposed solely voter, it therefore violated Seventeenth choosing Congress 'shall have qualifications requisite most numerous branch legislature.' rejected argument residency method, like tax, proving voters. Accordingly, entered declaring invalid portions enjoining appellants compliance said Acts. noted probable jurisdiction. 379 810, 83, 13 25. 10 hold repugnant affirm decision basis. find unnecessary determine section violates Amendment. I. 11 At outset, we faced contention should stayed until had afforded reasonable pass underlying law construe did abuse its discretion refusing postpone exercise 12 applying doctrine abstention, district vested decline deference resolution law. Railroad commission Texas versus Pullman Co., 312 496, 61 643, L.Ed. 971.7 Where constitutional question dependent upon, materially altered by, determination uncertain law, abstention avoid friction federalstate relations, interference important functions, tentative decisions questions premature adjudication. E.g., supra. doctrine, contemplates adjudication where uncertain. Davis Mann, 377 678, 690, 84 1441, 1447, 609; McNeese Education, 373 668, 673 674, 83 1433, 1436—1437, 622; City Chicago Atchison, T. & S.F.R. 357 77, 84, 78 1063, 1067, 1174.8 question, although never interpreted tribunal, fairly subject interpretation will render substantially modify duty properly Baggett Bullitt, 360, 375—379, 1316, 1324—1326, 377. 'recognition role final expositors implies disregard primacy judiciary deciding law.' England Louisiana Medical Examiners, 375 411, 415—416, 461, 465, 440. involved here clear unambiguous material respects.9 While suggests tribunals 'unquestionably far better equipped lower (federal) unravel skeins local administrative practices Appellees' claims entangled,'10 point leaves 'reasonable room construction might whole part necessity adjudication, change nature problem.' Harrison NAACP, 360 167, 177, 79 1025, 1030, 1152. spite clarity legislation, argues abstained ground if found those specified Constitution, would matter crucial accordingly disappear case.' little force argument. 18) relies expressly limits franchise who met certain requirements.11 issue, 24—17.2, requires certify meets requirements. It thus difficult envisage how 24 17.2 construed setting forth Constitution.12 15 addition statutes, support Court's refusal deprivation alleged consequences abstaining. Griffin School Prince Edward 218, 229, 1226, 1232, 256; actions statutory scheme allegedly impairing violation Amendments. As stressed occasions, '(t)he freely candidate one's choice essence democratic society, restrictions strike heart representative government.' Reynolds Sims, 533, 555, 1362, 1378, 506. fundamental 'because preservative rights.' Yick Wo Hopkins, 118 356, 370, 1064, 1071, 30 220. appraising proceedings, claimed impairment civil rights broad citizens. heard about deadline meeting just eight before 1964 Given importance immediacy problem, delay inherent referring tribunals,13 evident abstain. 377.14 II. 16 Reaching emphasize presented within power abolish entirely require federal—to annually residence. Rather, constitutionally confront conclude constitutes abridgment contravention 17 proposal 1962, eliminate taxes, amendment statute, introduced every 1939. House Representatives passed anti-poll bills five occasions Senate twice proposed amendments.15 Even though 1962 retained requirement, reflected widespread national concern characteristics tax. Disenchantment manyfaceted.16 One basic objections exacted price privilege exercising franchise. Congressional hearings debates indicate repugnance disenfranchisement poor occasioned tax.17 'While true amount now several small imposes slight economical obstacle vote, nevertheless, significant relatively low compared overall population eligible. (T)he historical analysis indicates abandoned participation increased.' H.R.Rep.No.1821, 87th Cong., Sess., Page 3. 19 Another objection raised congressional usually long election—at time when political campaigns still quiescent tended substantial number plan so ahead.18 also attacked vehicle fraud manipulated machines financing block payments tax.19 addition, many, viewed adopted eye Negroes applied discriminatory manner.20 background proposed, three-fourths ratified, abolishing 20 Upon course, condition removed but stead substituted whereby impose penalty guaranteed Constitution. Frost Trucking company California, 271 583, 46 605, 70 1101. 'Constitutional value indirectly denied,' Smith Allwright, 321 649, 664, 64 757, 765, 88 987, 'manipulated out existence.' Gomillion Lightfoot, 364 339, 345, 81 125, 129, 110. Significantly, insure 'denied' tax; guarantees 'denied abridged' reason. Fifteenth 'nullifies sophisticated well simple-minded modes' guaranteed. Lane Wilson, 307 268, 275, 59 872, 876, 1281. 'It hits onerous procedural effectively handicap franchise= claiming immunity. Ibid.; cf. Gray Johnson, 234 F.Supp. 743 (D.C.S.D.Miss.). 22 demonstrate invalidity Code, need shown refuse surrender their Section unquestionably erects real assert exemption previously indicated, wish participate stated interval ending election, attesting continuous residents many under Virginia's system registration) do reside forthcoming Unlike bill sent voter's residence, obtains certificate. distribution forms clerks, registrars officials. 24—28.1 Construing manner burdensome seem obtain officials prepare personally form substantially' set statute. then 'in person, otherwise' treasurer. This plainly cumbersome procedure. effect, amounts annual re-registration sharply contrasted 'simple' system.21 For probably preferable mail receipt bill. perpetuating disenfranchising eliminate. constrained refuses 23 reject method qualifying saved even more onerous, somewhat less abolished absolutely voting, equivalent milder substitute imposed. Any because waive immunity subverts effectiveness fall ban. Nor saved, asserts, serving same function analogous situations, deprivations justified some remote benefit State. Carrington Rash, 89, 96, 775, 780; Oyama 332 633, 646—647, 68 269, 275—276, 92 249. Moreover, demonstrated alternative sense administration laws. forty-six apparently great burden insuring electorate limited bona fide residents. availability devices enforce valid requirements—such use criminal sanction, purging lists, challenges oaths, public scrutiny candidates interested parties—demonstrates quite clearly lack imposing desiring 25 born desire disenfranchise Negro.22 Constitutional Convention 1902, sponsor suffrage integral frankly expressed purpose proposal: 26 'Discrimination! Why, precisely what propose; that, exactly, elected for—to discriminate very extremity permissible action limitations Federal view elimination negro can gotten rid of, legally, numerical strength white electorate.'23 27 characterized Appeals device limiting 'the took sufficient interest affairs themselves vote.' Campbell Goode, 172 Va. 463, 466, South Reporter, 2nd 456, 457. Whether, contends, reliable indicium continuing decided, served evidentiary function, confrontation sustained. regardless services performs, That absolve falls proscription. judgment affirmed. 29 Affirmed. HARLAN agrees insofar rests proposition forbids whatever determining office. He application doctrine. Supp.) provides: 'Proof required; furnished.— '(a) person deemed 24—17.1 calendar reg- istered 24—67.1, entitled during unless offered otherwise, prescribed paragraph (b) section, officer, offers vote. Proof methods. '(b) offer (a) treasurer follows: 'I N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions am my laws .......... (city county), residing (street number, place therein), intention herein '..........ein 'Witnessed: 'or 'Subscribed sworn me day .........., 19.... '..........and 'Notary Public' Members Armed Services exempt requirement. 24—23.1 (1950). 24—52 24—119 Registration, effected showing (§ 24—68), permanent. Thereafter, (unless, name lists for, inter alia, (§§ 24—94 96)). Va.Acts, Extra chapters 2. Chapter codified Title Code. 1—applicable only—has codified. chapter 1(a). granted controversy directed complaint appellee Henderson, already patently correct rejecting Henderson lacked standing maintain action. Sanders, 372 368, 374—376, 801, 805—806, 821; Baker Carr, 369 186, 204—208, 82 691, 703—705, 663. See Hostetter Idlewild Bon Voyage Liquor Corp., 324, 328—329, 1293, 1295—1296, 350; 375, 1324, 377; 464—465, To see 464 440; Gas Pipe Line Ideal Cement 134, 135—136, 676, 677—678, 623; Spector Motor Service, Incorporated McLaughlin, 323 101, 105, 65 152, 154, 89 101. ambiguity discussed briefs parties developed concerned secure prepared having accept, purposes decision, assertion according description. Infra, 541. empowered 1, create enactment creates initially referred tribunals. True, powers conditions exercised.' Lassiter Northampton Elections, 45, 50, 985, 989, 1072; Pope Williams, 193 621, 573, 575, 48 817; Mason Missouri, 179 328, 335, 128, 45 214. protected, Exparte Yarbrough, 110 651, 663—665, 158—159, 274; 987; contravene restriction power. 91, 777; 50—51, 989—990, Classic, 313 299, 315, 1031, 1037, 1368. case—whether Constitution—is question. is, However, unambiguous, sole remaining Va.Const., 18, sets voting: days. cites constitute impermissible 'qualification' Builitt, 378—379, 1326—1327, 425—426, 470 471, 440 (DOUGLAS, J., concurring). asserts erred denying parties. requested complaints injunction enforcement included 24—67, 24—67.1 Since entrusted registrars, argues, joinder essential requested. Williams Fanning, 490, 493—494, 188, 189—190, 95. asserting phrased broadly enough encompass certainly warranted concluding aim capable effecting hence err dismiss. Ceballos Shaughnessy, 352 599, 603—604, 77 545, 547—548, 583. accepting apparent given Elections' supervise 'legality' process 24—25, 24—26, 24—27 (1950)), 145, 151, 817, 821, n. 10. H.R.Rep. 1821, generally Ogden, Poll Tax (1958). See, e.g., Hearings Subcommittee Committee Judiciary Abolish Property Qualifications Electors 14—22, 48—58 (hereinafter cited Hearings); S.J.Res. 29, 33 Hearings). 14—15. supra, note 16, 44—52. 59—110. 26—27, 48—58; 33. testimony Judge William Old Committee, defending enabling 'to registration.' 81. id., 98—99 (Attorney Button); 108 Cong.Rec. 4532 (Senator Byrd); 4641 Robertson); R. 73, 76 (Governor Harrison). (Proceedings Debates, 1901—1092) 2937—3080. Statement Honorable Carter Glass, 3076 3077. statement characteristic entire debate issue; eventually accomplish Negro.

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