Matthews v. Little, 396 U.S. 1223 (1969)

Matthews v. Little


Decided September 9, 1969
396 U.S. 1223

ON APPLICATION FOR INJUNCTION

Syllabus

Applicants claim that a recent Atlanta ordinance will exclude political candidates who cannot afford the filing fees it fixes, and apply to enjoin an election on the ground that the ordinance violates § 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and on the ground (upheld by the District Court) that it violates the Equal Protection Clause. Since the proximity of the election practicably forecloses this Court’s pre-election decision on the substantial constitutional issue involved, and a court-ordered election postponement could be disruptive, all injunction is denied, but the applicants are temporarily relieved from paying the fee, and the candidates’ filing time is extended.