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Burdick v. Takushi
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| Burdick v. Takushi | |
| Court | Supreme Court of the United States |
|---|---|
| Citation | |
| Date decided | June 8, 1992 |
Facts
Voting is a fundamental right in the United States.
In the early 1990s, write-in candidates couldn't be placed on ballots in the state of Hawaii. All political candidates had to win a primary election in order to secure a spot on the ballot for the general election.
Burdick sought to cast a protest vote for the fictional cartoon character Donald Duck.Procedural History
Burdick (plaintiff), a registered voter in Hawaii, sued Takushi (defendant), Hawaii's Director of Elections.
Arguments
Was Hawaii's prohibition against a protest vote a reasonable burden?
Holding
A state's prohibition against write-in candidates is permissible.
Reasons
There is no right to cast a protest vote for a fictional candidate. SCOTUS asserts that a protest vote interferes with an orderly election process.
Rule
States may restrict the right to vote. For example, felons face disenfranchisement in most states. Non-citizens aren't allowed to vote in U.S. elections.
Case Text Links
