OCTOBER TERM, 1975
Per Curiam
424 U. S.
new party, may never be able to prove a substantial
threat of harassment, however real that threat may be,
because it would be required to come forward with witnesses who are too fearful to contribute but not too
fearful to testify about their fear. A strict requirement
that chill and harassment be directly attributable to the
specific disclosure from which the exemption is sought
would make the task even more difficult.
We recognize that unduly strict requirements of proof
could impose a heavy burden, but it does not follow that
a blanket exemption for minor parties is necessary.
Minor parties must be allowed sufficient flexibility in
the proof of injury to assure a fair consideration of their
claim. The evidence offered need show only a reasonable probability that the compelled disclosure of a party's
contributors' names will subject them to threats, harassment, or reprisals from either Government officials or private parties. The proof may include, for example, specific
evidence of past or present harassment of members due
to their associational ties, or of harassment directed
against the organization itself. A pattern of threats or
specific manifestations of public hostility may be sufficient. New parties that have no history upon which
to draw may be able to offer evidence of reprisals
and threats directed against individuals or organizations
holding similar views.
Where it exists the type of chill and harassment identified in NAACP v. Alabama can be shown. We cannot
assume that courts will be insensitive to similar showings
when made in future cases. We therefore conclude that
a blanket exemption is not required.
C. Section 434 (e)
Section 434 (e) requires "[e]very person (other than
a political committee or candidate) who makes contribu-
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