burson freeman argued october decided may respondent freeman treasurer political campaign tennessee filed action chancery alleging among things tennessee code prohibits solicitation votes display distribution campaign materials within feet entrance polling place limited ability communicate voters violation inter alia first fourteenth amendments dismissed suit state reversed ruling state compelling interest banning activities within polling place premises around polling place thus concluded limit narrowly tailored protect least restrictive means serve state interests held judgment reversed case remanded reversed remanded justice blackmun joined chief justice justice white justice kennedy concluded violate first fourteenth amendments pp section facially restriction political speech public forum thus must subjected exacting scrutiny state must show regulation necessary serve compelling state interest narrowly drawn achieve end case presents particularly difficult reconciliation since involves conflict exercise right engage political discourse fundamental right vote heart country democracy pp section advances tennessee compelling interests preventing voter intimidation election fraud substantial consensus among restricted zone around polling places necessary serve interest protecting right vote freely effectively real question large restricted zone permissible sufficiently tailored state required prove empirically election regulation perfectly tailored secure compelling interest rather legislatures permitted respond potential deficiencies electoral process foresight provided response reasonable significantly impinge constitutionally protected rights munro socialist workers party section minor geographical limitation constitute significant impingement possible measurable distance polls governmental regulation vote solicitation effectively become impermissible burden first amendment tennessee establishing boundary constitutional side line pp justice scalia concluded constitutional reasonable regulation nonpublic forum environs polling place including adjacent streets sidewalks traditionally devoted assembly debate therefore constitute traditional public forum cf greer spock thus speech restrictions need subjected exacting scrutiny analysis pp charles burson attorney general tennessee petitioner argued cause pro se briefs john knox walkup solicitor general andy bennett michael catalano deputy attorneys general john herbison argued cause respondent brief alan morrison briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed state arizona et al kenneth eikenberry attorney general washington james johnson senior assistant attorney general attorneys general respective follows grant woods arizona gail norton colorado richard blumenthal connecticut robert butterworth florida michael bowers georgia warren price iii hawaii roland burris illinois linley pearson indiana bonnie campbell iowa frederic cowan kentucky michael carpenter maine scott harshbarger massachusetts frank kelley michigan hubert humphrey iii minnesota william webster missouri marc racicot montana frankie sue del papa nevada nicholas spaeth north dakota mark barnett south dakota paul van dam utah mary sue terry virginia mario palumbo west virginia national conference state legislatures et al richard ruda frederick schafrick justice blackmun announced judgment delivered opinion chief justice justice white justice kennedy join years ago majority opinion written justice hugo black struck state law made crime newspaper editor publish editorial election day urging readers vote particular way mills alabama hesitate denounce statute obvious flagrant abridgment first amendment rights quick point holding way involve extent state power regulate conduct around polls order maintain peace order decorum today confront issue carefully left open mills question presented whether provision tennessee code prohibits solicitation votes display distribution campaign materials within feet entrance polling place violates first fourteenth amendments state tennessee carved zone election code section reads pertinent part within appropriate boundary established subsection feet entrances building polling place located display campaign posters signs campaign materials distribution campaign materials solicitation votes person political party position question prohibited code ann supp ii respondent mary rebecca freeman candidate office tennessee managed local campaigns worked actively statewide elections treasurer campaign city council candidate metropolitan county asserting limited ability communicate voters respondent brought facial challenge statutes davidson county chancery sought declaratory judgment provisions unconstitutional tennessee constitutions also sought permanent injunction enforcement chancellor ruled statutes violate tennessee constitutions dismissed respondent suit app determined reasonable time place manner restriction boundary served compelling state interest protecting voters interference harassment intimidation voting process alternative channel respondent exercise free speech rights outside boundary app pet cert tennessee vote reversed first held content based regulates specific subject matter solicitation votes display distribution campaign materials certain category speakers campaign workers held statute upheld unless burden placed free speech rights justified compelling state interest ii means chosen bear substantial relation interest least intrusive achieve state goals tennessee found state unquestionably shown compelling interest banning solicitation voters distribution campaign materials within polling place concluded state shown compelling interest regulating premises around polling place accordingly held limit narrowly tailored protect demonstrated interest also held statute least restrictive means serve state interests found less restrictive current tennessee statutes prohibiting interference election use violence intimidation prevent voting see code ann supp finally noted state able show compelling interest preventing congestion disruption entrances polling places shorter radius might perhaps pass constitutional muster importance issue granted certiorari reverse tennessee judgment statute violates first amendment constitution iii first amendment provides congress shall make law abridging freedom speech thornhill alabama said freedom speech secured first amendment abridgment among fundamental personal rights liberties secured persons fourteenth amendment abridgment state tennessee statute implicates three central concerns first amendment jurisprudence regulation political speech regulation speech public forum regulation based content speech speech restricted obviously political speech whatever differences may exist interpretations first amendment practically universal agreement major purpose amendment protect free discussion governmental affairs mills alabama speech concerning public affairs essence garrison louisiana accordingly recognized first amendment fullest urgent application speech uttered campaign political office eu san francisco cty democratic central quoting monitor patriot roy second important feature bars speech quintessential public forums forums include places long tradition government fiat devoted assembly debate parks streets sidewalks perry ed assn perry local educators use streets public places ancient times part privileges immunities rights liberties citizens hague cio opinion roberts time however expressive activity even quintessential public forum may interfere important activities property used accordingly held government may regulate time place manner expressive activity long restrictions content neutral narrowly tailored serve significant governmental interest leave open ample alternatives communication grace see also ward rock racism tennessee restriction consideration however facially time place manner restriction whether individuals may exercise free speech rights near polling places depends entirely whether speech related political campaign statute reach categories speech commercial solicitation distribution display held first amendment hostility regulation extends restriction particular viewpoint also prohibition public discussion entire topic see consolidated edison public service accord simon schuster members state crime victims statute restricting speech crime content based facially restriction political speech public forum must subjected exacting scrutiny state must show regulation necessary serve compelling state interest narrowly drawn achieve end perry ed assn perry local educators accord board airport los angeles jews jesus cornelius naacp legal defense ed fund grace despite ritualistic ease state standard announcement allow us avoid truly difficult issues involving first amendment perhaps foremost among serious issues cases force us reconcile commitment free speech commitment constitutional rights embodied government proceedings see sheppard maxwell outlining restrictions speech trial participants courts may impose protect accused right fair trial case presents us particularly difficult reconciliation accommodation right engage political discourse right vote right heart democracy iv tennessee asserts zone serves two compelling interests first state argues regulation serves compelling interest protecting right citizens vote freely candidates choice second tennessee argues restriction protects right vote election conducted integrity reliability interests advanced tennessee obviously compelling ones recognized right vote freely candidate one choice essence democratic society reynolds sims indeed right precious free country voice election make laws good citizens must live rights even basic illusory right vote undermined wesberry sanders also recognized state indisputably compelling interest preserving integrity election process thus upheld generally applicable evenhanded restrictions protect integrity reliability electoral process anderson celebrezze collecting cases words recognized state compelling interest ensuring individual right vote undermined fraud election process survive strict scrutiny however state must assert compelling state interest must demonstrate law necessary serve asserted interest readily acknowledge law rarely survives scrutiny examination evolution election reform country abroad demonstrates necessity restricted areas around polling places colonial period many government officials elected viva voce method showing hands custom parts europe voting scheme private affair open public decision witnessed improperly influenced opportunities viva voce system gave bribery intimidation gradually led repeal see generally evans history australian ballot system evans harris election administration harris rusk effect australian ballot reform split ticket voting pp rusk within years formation union incorporated paper ballot electoral system initially paper ballot vast improvement individual voters made handwritten ballots marked privacy homes brought polls counting effort making ballot became increasingly complex cumbersome see generally albright american ballot albright evans rusk wishing gain influence political parties began produce ballots voters ballots often printed flamboyant colors distinctive designs emblems recognized distance state attempts standardize ballots easily thwarted vote buyer simply place ballot hands bribed voter watch placed polling box thus evils associated earlier viva voce system reinfected election process failure law secure secrecy opened door bribery intimidation see generally albright evans harris key politics parties pressure groups reynolds testing democracy electoral behavior progressive reform new jersey rusk approaching polling place system akin entering open auction place elector started journey polls met various party ticket peddlers anxious supply party tickets evans often competition became heated several peddlers found uncommitted wavering voter see fredman australian ballot story american reform fredman rusk sham battles frequently engaged keep away elderly timid voters opposition see fredman north american review cited evans short early elections pleasant spectacle believed democratic government problems voter intimidation election fraud experiencing unique several countries attempting work satisfactory solutions problems australian provinces adopted series reforms intended secure secrecy elector vote famous feature australian system provision official ballot encompassing candidates parties ticket measure adopted preserve secrecy ballot australian system also provided erection polling booths containing several voting compartments open election officials two scrutinees candidate electors vote see wigmore australian ballot system embodied legislation various countries wigmore excerpting provisions adopted south australia queensland see generally albright evans rusk australian system enacted england study committee election practices identified australia ballot best possible remedy existing situation see wigmore belgium followed england example like australian provinces england belgium excluded general public entire polling room see wigmore see generally albright evans rusk one earliest indications reform movement country came philadelphia civil service reform association urged adoption pamphlet entitled english elections many articles written praising usefulness preventing bribery intimidation disorder inefficiency polls commentators argued diminish growing evil bribery removing knowledge whether successful another argument strongly urged favor reform protect weak dependent intimidation coercion employers creditors inability determine effectiveness bribery intimidation accordingly create order decency polls see generally albright evans rusk several failed attempts adopt australian system michigan wisconsin louisville kentucky municipal government commonwealth massachusetts state new york adopted australian system louisville law prohibited voters candidates agents electors coming within feet voting room inclosure louisville law also provided candidates agents within restricted area allowed persuade influence intimidate anyone choice candidate attempt wigmore massachusetts new york laws differed somewhat previous acts excluded general public area encompassed within guardrail constructed six feet voting compartments see modification considered improvement provided additional monitoring members general public independent candidates allowed represented separate inspectors otherwise order perpetrate almost every election fraud necessary buy election officers party finally new york also prohibited person electioneering election day within within one hundred feet polling place see generally evans rusk success achieved reforms immediately noticed widely praised see generally evans rusk one commentator remarked new york law secured secrecy intimidation employers part bosses police officers saloonkeepers others come end earlier times polling places frequently quote litany scenes battle murder sudden death also come end nightfall jubilation begins election days peaceful sabbaths new legislation also rendered impossible old methods frank hardy straightforward shameless bribery voters polls ivins electoral system state new york proceedings annual meeting new york state bar association roots tennessee regulation traced back two provisions passed period rapid reform tennessee passed first relevant provision part switch australian system effort secur purity elections tennessee provided voters certain election officials permitted within room election held within feet entrance act provide penalty violation applied highly populated counties cities ch second relevant provision passed amendment tennessee act preserve purity elections define punish offenses elective franchise original act passed made misdemeanor commit various election offenses including use bribery violence intimidation order induce person vote refrain voting particular person measure pub acts ch amendment made misdemeanor person except officers holding elections approach nearer feet voter ballot box provision applied tennessee elections ch two laws remained relatively unchanged tennessee added yet another proscription secret ballot law amendment prohibited distribution campaign literature floor building within one hundred feet thereof election progress ch state enacted comprehensive code regulate conduct elections code included section proscribed display distribution campaign material solicitation votes within feet entrance polling place zone direct precursor restriction challenged present litigation today limit access areas around polling places see app pet cert note defoliating grassroots election day restrictions political speech summarizing statutes national labor relations board also limits activities near polling places union representation elections sum examination history election regulation country reveals persistent battle two evils voter intimidation election fraud unsuccessful experiment unofficial ballot system together numerous western democracies settled solution secret ballot secured part restricted zone around voting compartments find widespread consensus demonstrates restricted zone necessary order serve compelling interests preventing voter intimidation election fraud respondent dissent advance three principal challenges conclusion first respondent argues restricted zones overinclusive secure compelling interests statutes make misdemeanor interfere election use violence intimidation prevent voting see ann supp persuaded intimidation interference laws fall short serving state compelling interests deal blatant specific attempts impede elections cf buckley valeo existence bribery statute preclude need limits contributions political campaigns moreover law enforcement officers generally barred vicinity polls avoid appearance coercion electoral process see ann many acts interference go undetected undetected less blatant acts may nonetheless drive voter away remedial action taken second respondent dissent argue tennessee statute underinclusive restrict types speech charitable commercial solicitation exit polling within zone agree distinguishing among types speech requires statute subjected strict scrutiny however agree failure regulate speech renders statute fatally underinclusive fact one early commentator pointed allowing members general public access polling place makes difficult political machines buy monitors see wigmore regardless need additional monitoring summarized ample evidence political candidates used campaign workers commit voter intimidation electoral fraud contrast simply evidence political candidates used forms solicitation exit polling commit electoral abuses adopt laws address problems confront first amendment require regulate problems exist finally dissent argues confuse history necessity yet dissent concedes secret ballot necessary cure electoral abuses contrary dissent contention link ballot secrecy restricted zone surrounding voting area merely timing common sense way preserve secrecy ballot limit access area around voter accordingly hold restricted zone around voting area necessary secure state compelling interest real question large restricted zone permissible sufficiently tailored respondent dissent argue tennessee boundary narrowly drawn achieve state compelling interest protecting right vote disagree preliminary matter long uninterrupted prevalent use statutes makes difficult come forward sort proof dissent wishes require majority laws adopted originally long engaged extensive legislative hearings election regulations prevalence laws abroad encouraged reenactment without much comment fact laws effect long period time also makes difficult put witnesses testify happen without finally difficult isolate exact effect laws voter intimidation election fraud voter intimidation election fraud successful precisely difficult detect furthermore government compelling interest securing right vote freely effectively never held state burden demonstrating empirically objective effects political stability produced voting regulation question munro socialist workers party elections vary year year place place therefore difficult make specific findings effects voting regulation moreover remedy tainted election imperfect one rerunning election negative impact voter turnout thus requiring proof boundary perfectly tailored deal voter intimidation election fraud necessitate state political system sustain level damage legislature take corrective action legislatures think permitted respond potential deficiencies electoral process foresight rather reactively provided response reasonable significantly impinge constitutionally protected rights emphasis added measurable distance polls course governmental regulation vote solicitation effectively become impermissible burden akin statute struck mills alabama see also meyer grant invalidating absolute bar use paid circulators reviewing challenges specific provisions state election laws however employed test separate valid invalid restrictions anderson celebrezze quoting storer brown accordingly sufficient say establishing boundary tennessee constitutional side line conclusion reaffirm rare case held law survives strict scrutiny however rare case state recognized administrator elections asserted exercise free speech rights conflicts another fundamental right right cast ballot election free taint intimidation fraud long history substantial consensus simple common sense show restricted zone around polling places necessary protect fundamental right given conflict two rights hold requiring solicitors stand feet entrances polling places constitute unconstitutional compromise judgment tennessee reversed case remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion ordered justice thomas took part consideration decision case footnotes testimony trial established tennessee polling locations zone included sidewalks streets adjacent polling places see app see also restrictions also held raise fourteenth amendment equal protection concerns course regulating speech restrictions differentiate types speech see police dept chicago mosley exemption labor picketing ban picketing near schools violates fourteenth amendment right equal protection see also city council los angeles taxpayers vincent suggesting exception political campaign signs general ordinance prohibiting posting signs might entail constitutionally forbidden content discrimination either free speech equal protection theory regulation political speech public forum valid survive strict scrutiny carey brown see piper swan ed purpose regulation prevent intimidation voiters entering polling place political workers writ mandamus denied sub nom piper district purpose regulation prevent intimidation voters entering polling place political workers see tennessee law revision commission special report law revision commission general assembly tennessee concerning bill adopt elections act containing unified coherent treatment elections provision one numerous safeguards included preserve purity elections one writer described conditions follows sounds like exaggeration truth facts notorious one acquainted conduct recent elections attempts denial raising colossal sums purpose bribery rewarded promotion highest offices government systematic organization purchase votes individually blocks polls become recognized factor machinery parties number voters demand money compensation ballots grown greater recurring election gordon protection suffrage quoted evans according report committee congress men frequently marched carried polls employers carriages furnished ballots compelled hold hands ballots easily watched ballots dropped box evans recounted intimidation particularly employers extensively practiced many labor men afraid vote remained away polls others voted employers wishes frequently lost jobs employee lived factory town probably lived tenement owned company possibly wife children worked mill voted wishes millowners family thrown mill tenement means earning livelihood frequently owner manager mill stood entrance polling place closely observed employees voted condition said workingmen exercised real choice evans omitted similar results achieved massachusetts law quiet order cleanliness reign visited precincts old system coats torn backs voters ballots one kind snatched voters hands others put places threats using substituted ballots new system orderly peaceable annals american academy political social science see industries nlrb nlrb carroll contracting midwest stock exchange nlrb cert denied michem claussen baking logical connection ballot secrecy restricted zones distinguishes case cited dissent struck longstanding election regulations cases rational connection asserted interest regulation see harper virginia bd elections oter qualifications relation wealth paying paying tax modified burden proof apply cases conflict first amendment rights state election process instead applies first amendment right threatens interfere act voting cases involving voter confusion overcrowded ballots like munro cases one challenged activity physically interferes electors attempting cast ballots thus example must come forward specific findings support regulations directed intangible influence ban editorials struck mills alabama dissent argues unwillingness require specific findings tension sheppard maxwell another case conflict two constitutional rights trials however present evidentiary remedial problems judge concerned trial much easier make specific findings remedy rerunning trial onerous one suffer imperfections rescheduled election nonetheless even fair trial context reaffirmed given importance countervailing right system law always endeavored prevent even probability unfairness quoting murchison emphasis added respondent also raises two specific challenges tailoring tennessee statute first contends may polling places situated boundary falls side highway second respondent argues inclusion quintessential public forums zones result prosecution individual driving automobile campaign bumper sticker oral argument petitioner denied statute reach latter inadvertent conduct since constitute display campaign material tr oral arg event arguments applied challenges made individual prosecuted conduct successful challenges call limiting construction rather facial invalidation absence factual record support respondent contention statute applied reach circumstances entertain challenges case justice kennedy concurring earlier term questioned validity recent first amendment precedents suggesting state may restrict speech based content pursuit compelling interest simon schuster members state crime victims opinion concurring judgment deem proper approach neither general proscription speech proscription speech public forum justified unless speech falls within one limited set categories see ibid today case warrants elaboration meaning term content based used jurisprudence simon schuster concurrence pointed seeming paradox notwithstanding repeated statement else first amendment means government power restrict expression message ideas subject matter content quoting police dept chicago mosley fallen practice suggesting limits speech upheld confined narrow way serve compelling state interest continue believe adoption test accomplished accident general matter produces misunderstanding potential encourage attempts suppress legitimate expression test may legitimate role however sorting restriction see avoid necessity deciding whether regulation fact content based content neutral recognized context regulations time place manner speech overnment regulation expressive activity content neutral long justified without reference content regulated speech ward rock racism quoting clark community creative emphasis added ward cases fact regulation invalid outside recognized category permitting suppression apparent face view true new york statute considered simon schuster inquiry necessary read statute sufficient strike effort government restrict expression content discerning justification restriction expression however always straightforward simon schuster cases censorial justification apparent face regulation draws distinctions based content government tender plausible justification unrelated suppression speech ideas test may one analytical device detect objective way whether asserted justification fact accurate description purpose effect law explanation analysis explicit decisions yet appear time place manner cases regulation justification central inquiry see ward rock racism supra clark community creative supra heffron international society krishna consciousness matters apply strict requirement narrow tailoring contexts ward rock racism supra although may cases like ward clark heffron evident face regulations justification identified became object examination use test adopted today justify condemn category suppression determine accuracy justification state gives law outcome analysis justification speech restriction protect another constitutional right noted simon schuster narrow area first amendment permits freedom expression yield extent necessary accommodation another constitutional right principle apply without danger general rule permitting content restriction engulfed analysis statute state acts protect integrity polling place citizens exercise right vote voting one fundamental cherished liberties democratic system government state using justification suppress legitimate expression observations concur opinion justice blackmun judgment justice scalia concurring judgment category traditional public forum tool analysis rather conclusory label must remain faithful name derive content tradition restrictions speech around polling places election day venerable part american tradition secret ballot ann supp restrict speech traditional public forum exacting scrutiny plurality purports apply ante inappropriate instead believe though content based constitutional reasonable regulation nonpublic forum therefore concur judgment plurality correctly notes zone established sometimes encompasses streets sidewalks adjacent polling places ante plurality determination subject strict scrutiny premised view areas quintessential public forums long tradition devoted assembly debate ante emphasis added insofar areas adjacent functioning polling places concerned simply statutes impressively long history general use ever since widespread adoption secret ballot late century restrictions speech within specified distance polling place physical presence commonplace indeed prevalent least including tennessee enacted restrictions noteworthy statutes banning speech near polling place specified distance set forth feet clear restricted zones often encompassed streets sidewalks thus streets sidewalks around polling places traditionally devoted assembly debate nothing public forum doctrine precedents warrants disregard longstanding tradition streets sidewalks public forums places see greer spock streets sidewalks military base public forum long usage people demonstrates portions streets sidewalks adjacent polling places public forums times either unquestionable tradition accommodated suppose holding laws covered doctrine permissible time place manner restrictions upon public forum speech doctrine reflection traditions see perry ed assn perry local educators problem approach however require expansion unique exception time place manner doctrine permit restrictions content neutral prohibits electioneering speech ibid doctrinally less confusing acknowledge environs polling place election day simply traditional public forum means subject speech restrictions reasonable viewpoint neutral reasons plurality believes survives exacting scrutiny ante believe least reasonable respondent contend viewpoint discriminatory therefore agree judgment constitutional act mar act mar act mar ch cal stats act mar act june ch act may ch act may ch act idaho act june act mar ch act apr ch iowa acts act mar ch act june ch act apr ch act apr ch act apr ch act ch act may title act mar ch act mar ch stats act may ch act may ch act mar ch act may ohio leg acts act laws act mar ch act mar ch act mar ch utah laws act mar ch act mar ch act mar ch act apr ch act ch wyo act mar act mar ch cal stats act mar act june ch act idaho act june act apr ch iowa acts act mar ch act apr ch act may act mar ch act mar ch act may ch act may ohio leg acts act mar ch utah laws act apr ch justice stevens justice justice souter join dissenting speech conduct prohibited zone created ann supp classic political expression long recognized iscussion public issues debate qualifications candidates integral operation system government established constitution first amendment affords broadest protection political expression order assure unfettered interchange ideas bringing political social changes desired people buckley valeo citation omitted therefore fully agree plurality tennessee must show regulation necessary serve compelling state interest narrowly drawn achieve end ante citations omitted agree however tennessee made anything approaching showing tennessee statutory zone raises constitutional concerns first magnitude statute directly regulates political expression thus implicates core concern first amendment moreover targets specific subject matter campaign speech defined class speakers campaign workers thus regulates expression based content tennessee statute somewhat perversely disfavors speech normally accorded greater protection kinds speech statute regulate reasons tennessee unquestionably bears heavy burden demonstrating silencing political expression necessary narrowly tailored serve compelling state interest statutes creating zones outside polling places serve two quite different functions protect orderly access polls prevent campaigning question former constitutes compelling state interest light decision mills alabama latter accordingly state must demonstrate particular means fashioned ensure orderly access polls unnecessarily hinder campaigning zones noteworthy broad antiseptic sweep tennessee zone encompasses least square feet around polling place kentucky wisconsin radius restricted zone feet silencing area square feet even sanguine scenario participatory democracy difficult imagine voter turnout complete require clearing hundreds thousands square feet simply ensure path door remains open curtain protects secrecy ballot box remains closed fact zones cover large area unmistakably identifies censorship campaigning animating force behind restrictions problem maintaining order zones feet less strongly suggests expansive prohibitions necessary maintain access order indeed face tennessee statute appears informed political concerns although statute initially established zone later amended establish zone state counties state attorney general observed rational basis special treatment discernable reason extension boundary necessary counties brief opposition op atty moreover tennessee statute merely regulate conduct might inhibit voting bars simple display campaign posters signs campaign materials bumper stickers parked cars lapel buttons pedestrians taboo notion sweeping restrictions speech necessary maintain freedom vote integrity ballot box borders absurd evidence introduced trial demonstrate necessity tennessee zone exceptionally thin although state sole witness explained need special restrictions inside polling place offered justification ban political expression outside polling place record far surprising tennessee surely familiar state electoral practices traditions concluded ban outside polling place justified regulatory concerns conclusion bolstered tennessee law indicates normal police protection completely adequate maintain order area feet polling place perhaps recognition poverty record plurality without briefing legislative judicial factfinding looks history assess whether tennessee statute fact necessary serve state interests review history electoral reform plurality finds settled solution secret ballot secured part restricted zone around voting compartments find widespread consensus demonstrates restricted zone necessary order serve compelling interest preventing voter intimidation election fraud ante emphasis added regard first fact zones plurality indicates introduced part broader package electoral reforms demonstrate zones necessary abuses affected electoral system cured institution secret ballot heightened regulation polling place alone without silencing political speech outside polling place opinion mere timing required infer necessity tradition never regarded tradition proxy necessity necessity must demonstrated contrary election law jurisprudence rich examples traditions though longstanding later held unnecessary example ost early colonies poll taxes many much histories harper virginia bd elections harlan dissenting similarly substantial barriers candidacy stringent petition requirements see williams rhodes requirements see turner fouche onerous filing fees see lubin panish longstanding features electoral labyrinth fact two noted decisions area involve case tennessee electoral traditions dunn blumstein invalidated tennessee residency requirement particularly instructive tennessee residency requirement indisputably traditional place since app dunn blumstein case state defended law basis interest secur ing freedom elections purity ballot box like case dunn involved conflict two rights right travel right vote applied strict scrutiny ruling residency requirements unconstitutional unless state demonstrate laws necessary promote compelling governmental interest emphasis original citation omitted although recognized reservation purity ballot box state interest rejected state argument requirement necessary promote interest even mention let alone find determinative fact tennessee requirement years old baker carr addressed apportionment tennessee legislature state apportionment regime remained unchanged since time trial voters elect ed members state house representatives clark concurring although justice frankfurter observed dissent unequal representation feature nation political landscape since colonial times bound long tradition cases resemble dunn baker way never indicated tradition synonymous necessity even assume zones somehow necessary follow years later practices remain necessary much political culture institutions practices changed since turn century elections far less corrupt far civil far democratic today years ago salutary developments substantially eliminated need opinion sweeping suppression core political speech although plurality today blithely dispenses need factual findings determine necessity traditional restrictions speech courts made findings regard zones without exception found zones unnecessary see florida comm liability reform mcmillan md heinrich md aff likewise courts invalidated similar restrictions exit polling news media careful factfinding also declined find prohibitions necessary see firestone publishing invalidating florida zone extent reaches outside polling room noting evidentiary hearing witnesses testified disturbances occurred within fifty feet polling room state unsubstantiated concern potential disturbance sufficient overcome chilling effect first amendment rights daily herald munro observing regard washington zone one iota testimony single voter upset intimidated threatened quoting trial transcript national broadcasting cleland nd cbs smith sd courts received evidence issue far better situated assess contemporary necessity zones courts concluded suppression expression unnecessary suggesting zones something social atavism mind recent history developed context adversarial search truth indicates whatever original historical basis zones may continued necessity established especially deal first amendment reason restriction disappears restriction well ii addition sweeping broadly reach tennessee zone selectively prohibits speech based content like statute found invalid first nat bank boston bellotti tennessee statute regulates subjects persons may speak speakers may address public issue within zone silences expression allows expression subject religious artistic commercial speech even political debate solicitation concerning issues candidates day ballot indeed read prohibit exit polling surely presents least great potential interference orderly access polls distribution campaign leaflets display campaign posters wearing campaign buttons discriminatory feature statute severely undercuts credibility purported justification tennessee discrimination particularly problematic regulation inevitably favor certain groups candidates testimony case illustrates several groups candidates rely heavily campaigning see app candidates fewer resources candidates lower visibility offices grassroots candidates benefit disproportionately campaigning near polling place see note defoliating grassroots election day restrictions political speech collecting authorities although plurality recognizes tennessee statute content based see ante inquire whether discrimination related purported state interest contrary plurality makes surprising unsupported claim selective regulation protected speech justified first amendment require regulate problems exist ante yet earlier term rejected asserted state interest interest ha nothing state distinctions among expressive activities simon schuster members state crime victim see also arkansas writers project ragland similarly carey brown acknowledged illinois interest residential privacy invalidated state ban picketing distinction labor nonlabor picketing justified reference state interest maintaining domestic tranquility case true tennessee differential treatment campaign speech furthers asserted state interest access order around polls threatened congregation citizens concerned local environmental issue ballot congregation citizens urging election favored candidate similarly assuming disorder immediately outside polling place lead commission errors perpetration fraud disorder easily caused religious dispute sparked colporteur dispute sparked campaign worker short tennessee failed point legitimate interest justify selective regulation expression iii although plurality purports apply exacting scrutiny three marked departures familiar standard may greater significance future precise holding zones first plurality declines take hard look whether state law fact necessary plurality analysis state need demonstrate contemporary demands compel regulation protected expression need show regulation traced longstanding tradition second citing munro socialist workers party plurality lightens state burden proof showing restriction speech narrowly tailored munro upheld washington law observed requir state make particularized showing existence voter confusion ballot overcrowding presence frivolous candidacies prior imposition reasonable restrictions ballot access stated legislatures permitted respond potential deficiencies electoral process foresight rather reactively provided response reasonable significantly impinge constitutionally protected rights substantial doubts plurality extension munro reasoning case fundamentally question plurality assumption zones significantly impinge constitutionally protected rights question us light sweep zones vital first amendment interests stake know assumption sound third although plurality recognizes problematic character tennessee suppressive regulation ante nonetheless upholds statute simply evidence commercial charitable solicitation outside polling place poses potential dangers campaigning outside polling place ante analysis contradicts core premise strict scrutiny namely heavy burden justification state plurality effectively shifted burden proving necessity content discrimination state plaintiff sum plurality early opinion calls exacting scrutiny ante appears end analysis neither exacting scrutiny borrow mixed metaphor plurality scrutiny toothless mathews lucas iv nation rich traditions traditions sometimes support sometimes superseded constitutional rules tradition example presidential campaigns end election eve yet congress certainly enforce tradition enacting law proscribing campaigning election day one time well bans editorial endorsements traditional mills alabama established bans incompatible first amendment mills set aside conviction newspaper editor violated ban declined accept state analogy electoral process judicial process claim state election day insulate voters political sentiments ideas much way jury sequestered squarely rejected state claim ban justified need protect public confusive charges countercharges distribution propaganda effort influence voters election day quoting state mills contrary recognized precisely election day advocacy campaigning effective mills mills stands simple proposition tradition notwithstanding state legitimate interest insulating voters campaigning thus light mills fact zones traditional tends undermine rather support validity tennessee statute short scrutinize tennessee statute police power regulation also silences substantial amount protected political expression opinion presence campaign workers outside polling place situations minor nuisance long recognized fact society may find speech offensive sufficient reason suppressing hustler magazine falwell citation omitted although often pay homage electoral process must careful confuse sanctity silence hubbub campaign workers outside polling place may nuisance also sound vibrant democracy silencing sound tennessee trenches upon area importance first amendment protections zenith meyer grant citation omitted reason tennessee must shoulder burden demonstrating restrictions political speech broader necessary protect orderly access polls done therefore respectfully dissent see specific testimony state witness confusion error overcrowding concerned numbers persons present polling place numbers persons outside polls within polling place within feet entrance prohibition presence nonvoters justified part absence normal police protection section provides policeman law enforcement officer may come nearer entrance polling place ten feet enter polling place except request officer elections county election commission make arrest vote leave historians review substantive accuracy plurality narrative find disturbing plurality use history plurality suggestion way preserve secrecy ballot limit access area around voter ante specious first obvious simple means preserving voter secrecy opaque doors curtains voting booth involve suppression political speech second disagreement restrictions campaigning within polling place constitutional issue whether state may limit access area around voter whether state may limit speech area around polling place plurality emphasizes case force us reconcile commitment free speech commitment constitutional rights ante citing sheppard maxwell although agree plurality matter characterization controversy compel even indicate deference tradition indeed sheppard defer tradition established practices rather imposed appellate tribunals duty make independent evaluation circumstances every case see pp ch pp ch pp idea behind ban endorsements prevent voters subjected unfair pressure brainwashing day minds remain clear untrammeled influences insulated partisan advocacy arguments submitted brief fo appellee