Court Opinion

ID: 9864468
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-25 13:13:04.710912+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:12:36.520081
License: Public Domain

RobiNs, J., concurring. I agree that the holding of the lower court was in accordance with former decisions of this court, in which it has been declared that a technical observance of the law as to making an assessment is essential to a valid poll tax receipt. But I believe that we should announce a determination to reconsider these decisions with a view to eliminating any requirement for eligibility of a voter not expressed in the constitution. The constitution thus fixes the qualifications of voters in this state: They must be citizens of the United States, twenty-one years of age, residents of the state for twelve months, of the county for six months, of the precinct for'thirty days, and must “exhibit a poll tax receipt or other evidence that they have paid their poll tax at the time of collecting taxes next preceding such election.” No other limitation on the right to vote, except the provision authorizing disfranchisement of felons, is contained in the constitution. Nowhere does the constitution make the validity of a poll tax receipt, evidencing payment by the voter in the time required by law, depend on the voter’s signature to an assessment list. Such a requirement cannot be justified on the theory that it is merely a part of a registration system, because our constitution, art. Ill, § 2, provides: “Nor shall any law be enacted whereby the right to vote at any election shall be made to depend upon any previous registration of the voter’s name.” Neither the legislature nor the courts may properly add to or subtract from the constitutional definition of an elector. The participation, at the ballot box, by the citizen in the affairs of government is vital, and the citizen’s path to the polls ought not to be beset with any barrier or impediment not put there by plain provision of the constitution. I am authorized to state that Mr. Justice Millwee concurs in the views expressed above.