Legal Document

375 U.S. 399 84 Supreme Court Reporter 454 11 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 430 Dupuy or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 ANDERSON et al., Appellants,v.Wade O. MARTIN, Jr. Number 51. Argued Nov. 20, 21, 1963. Decided Jan. 13, 1964. Jack Greenberg, New York City, for appellants. Pacific KF135 P2 Federal KF105 F3 Gremillion, Baton Rouge, La., appellee. Mr. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 LSA—Revised Statutes § 18:1174.1 provides that in all primary, general special elections, nomination papers and ballots shall designate race candidates elective office.1 The question involved this appeal is whether requirement violates Equal Protection Due Process Clauses Fourteenth Amendment Fifteenth to Constitution States. A three-judge District Court, convened under 28 Code KF62 2284, upheld constitutionality statute by a 2-to-1 vote, D.C.La., 206 F.Supp. 700. On direct appeal, 1253, we noted probable jurisdiction, 372 904, 83 725, 9 715. I. 2 Appellants, residents East Louisiana, are Negroes. Each sought election School Board parish 1962 Democratic Party primary election. Prior they filed suit against Election Secretary State Louisiana seeking enjoin enforcement Act 538 1960 Legislature, 1174.1 Title 18 Statutes, which requires print, parentheses, each candidate opposite his name on ballots. Asserting violated, inter alia, Amendments, appellants both preliminary permanent injunctions temporary restraining order. district judge denied motion order court was convened. After hearing merits, injunction with one dissenting. Thereafter amend their complaint so as show had been held defeated2 because operation here attack. They further alleged 'intend be next duly constituted democratic members Rouge Parish Board. * *' Leave thereafter request injunction. We have concluded compulsory designation rate ballot operates discrimination therefore violative Amendment's Clause.3 In view do not reach appellants' other contentions. II. 3 At outset it well point out what case does involve. It has nothing whatever right citizen cast vote whomever he chooses reason pleases receive information concerning necessary proper exercise franchise. only require encourage its voters discriminate upon grounds race. abstract, imposes no restriction anyone's candidacy nor an elector's choice casting ballot. But placing at racial label most crucial stage electoral process—the instant before cast—the furnishes vehicle prejudice may aroused operate group another. This true directing citizen's attention single consideration color, indicates candidate's color important—perhaps paramount—consideration choice, becisively influence along lines. Hence voting where Negroes predominate, likely favored ballot, while those communities races majority, preferred. vice lies resulting injury but power behind classification induces polls. III. 4 As said NAACP versus Alabama, 357 449, 463, 78 1163, 1172, 1488 (1958): 'The factor interplay governmental private action *.' Here attack prescribes form content official used elections Louisiana. '(e)very application notification declaration candidacy, every certificate paper named therein, such Caucasian race, Negro specified race' placed until 1960. time contained than names; did grouped according respective political party. amendment added 'race' item candidate. addition light 'private attitudes pressures' towards enactment4 could result 'repressive effect' 'was brought bear after power.' Bates Little Rock, 361 516, 524, 80 S.C. 412, 417, 480 (1960). 5 Nor can attacked provision deemed reasonably designed meet legitimate interests informing electorate candidates. see relevance State's pointing up bearing qualifications office. Indeed, itself 'underscores purely character purpose' statute. Goss Education, 373 683, 688, 1405, 1409, 10 632 (1963). 6 contends nondiscriminatory labeling applies equally white. Obviously, n t bar citizens from offering themselves public office, solely account Cf. Steele Louisville & N.R. Co., 323 192, 203, 65 226, 89 L.Ed. 173 (1944). And cannot done express statutory prohibition indirection. Therefore, equality superficial. Race involvement promotes ultimate sufficient make invalid. supra, 1408, 632. judgment reversed. 7 Reversed. LSA—Rev.Stat. (1960 Supp.) 18:1174.1: 'Designation 'A. Every any state local office 'B. Chairmen party committees, executive presidents boards supervisors person persons required law certify names cause shown certification therein obtained applications notifications declarations certificates papers, be. 'C. printed within parentheses ( ) beside candidate, Caucasian, Negro, documents described Sub-section B Section. print same size ballots.' Anderson defeated Belton subsequent run-off. 'No deny jurisdiction equal protection laws.' U.S.Const., Amend. XIV, 1. See Wollett, Relations, 21 La.L.Rev. 85

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