Bullock v. Carter
United States Supreme Court
405 U.S. 134 (1972)
- Written by Philip Glass, JD
Facts
Texas mandated that its political parties hold primary elections. Pate, Wischkaemper, and Carter (plaintiffs) each met all but one requirement for inclusion in the Texas Democratic Primary ballot. The three candidates, all seeking to run for local or state offices, failed to pay the required filing fees. Texas statute required that prospective primary-election candidates pay a filing fee. In larger counties, candidates paid 15 percent or less of their annual income. Smaller counties had more discretion in determining fee amounts. Filing fees for federal office ran between $150 and $1,000. Pate’s filing fee was $1,424.60; Wischkaemper’s filing fee was $6,300; Carter’s filing fee was $1,000. None of the three candidates could afford to pay the fee. No other method existed for inclusion in the Texas Democratic Primary. Pate, Wischkaemper, and Carter alleged that the filing fee violated equal protection.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Burger, C.J.)
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