Eggert v. City of Seattle

Respondents challenged certain provisions of the Seattle City Charter granting preference in employment for some positions to those who have been residents of the city, or in the case of respondent Eggert, residents of the county, for at least 1 year. The trial court found the challenged provisions unconstitutional and granted respondents’ request that they be allowed to compete on an equal basis with all other applicants for the civil service positions at issue. The city appeals.

The claim of respondents is that durational residency requirements infringe upon their constitutionally protected…