Bernie Sanders Supporters to File Emergency Injunction Against California Primary
Source: ABC
Attorneys representing a group of Bernie Sanders supporters informed San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera Thursday night that they plan to file an "emergency request" with U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup in the city today "for a preliminary injunction" in California's June 7 presidential primary," Herrera's office said.
"I think it's unfortunate -- and selfish, frankly -- that these plaintiffs would inject confusion and uncertainty into an election that has been underway for weeks," Herrera said in a statement Thursday night. "San Francisco's Department of Elections and its employees have been doing an exemplary job, and I'm equally confident that our co-defendants are also meeting or exceeding their legal duties. This lawsuit is without merit, and there is no basis for an emergency injunction. I intend to fight it aggressively."
<...>
Voting by mail began in California May 9.
A news release from the Office of the City Attorney, noted, "San Francisco, Alameda County, and state elections officials were sued last week by an unincorporated association of Sanders backers called the 'Voting Rights Defense Project,' who together with the American Independence Party and two San Francisco voters leveled an array of allegations in their May 20 civil complaint that Herrera calls wholly baseless."
The release continued, "The activists are seeking sweeping injunctive relief in their suit, including provisions to force 58 counties to segregate ballots already cast by unaffiliated voters; to allow "re-votes" by those voters for presidential primary candidates; and to extend the state's voter registration deadline -- which passed on May 23 for eligibility to vote in the June 7 primary -- until election day itself."
Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bernie-sanders-supporters-file-emergency-injunction-calif-primary/story?id=39419096
silvershadow
(10,336 posts)LisaM
(27,864 posts)These people need to grow up. I don't even live in California and I've been aware of their primary rules for months.
trueblue2007
(17,250 posts)Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)skylucy
(3,749 posts)lawsuit. The Republicans in this state would just love to cross over and vote for Bernie (now that their sh** candidate has already wrapped up his nomination). They just want to cause trouble and muck around with the Democratic Party's primary. REPUBLICANS NEED TO VOTE IN THEIR OWN PRIMARY AND STAY OUT OF OURS. And shame on these so called "Sanders supporters" for pulling this crap. Notice it doesn't way the "Sanders campaign"? It says "supporters". Just who is doing this? I'm for Hillary and in most cases would be all over Bernie about this...but this smells like something else. It reeks of Republican right wing dirty tricks. (That said...It is not going to be successful.)Wish an investigative journalist would find out just who has filed this lawsuit.
LisaM
(27,864 posts)It did say supporters.
riversedge
(70,482 posts)Gothmog
(146,031 posts)Sanders lost this lawsuit also http://www.ocregister.com/articles/primary-717076-hearing-voters.html
Attorney William Simpich argued in the filing that the process for unaffiliated voters to get a presidential primary ballot particularly those seeking to cast ballots in the Democratic primary contest between Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was too confusing and would leave many voters disenfranchised. He said at least two counties failed to notify some voters of their right to request a ballot to vote in the Democratic, Libertarian or American Independent Party contests.
Thousands of Californians are in imminent danger of being disenfranchised in the 2016 presidential primary election ending on June 7, 2016, and will continue to be shut out of the democratic process unless and until defendants reform their voting by mail practices, Simpich wrote in the filing on behalf of two voters, a group called the Voting Rights Defense Project and the American Independent Party.
Simpich had asked the court to extend the registration deadline to election day, but the response from U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup on Tuesday means the case will not be addressed by then.
MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)They filed this one yesterday. The suit you reference was filed May 20.
The big deal on this one is it seeks to throw out all mail in ballots already cast.
Gothmog
(146,031 posts)Filing a lawsuit this close to an election does not work
MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)still_one
(92,552 posts)California allows anyone register as NPP, to exchange their ballot up to and including election day. Hell, they can go to the polls on election day and exchange it for a Democratic ballot.
However, if you received a ballot, voted on that ballot, and now want a redo, that really doesn't cut it.
Nitram
(22,985 posts)I notice Bernie didn't mind when the rules helped him win.
pnwmom
(109,028 posts)They get free media attention this way.
Poincare
(11 posts)It's there right to petition. Once you start down the road of claiming whatever lawsuit that isn't popular to be frivolous or a waste of money, you make a mockery of the right to petition and question the power of the courts to make a proper judgment. We live in a Democracy, not a monarchy. I wish the Senate would get off their asses and approve more judges to the system, rather than constantly blocking nominees for frivolous things, like "their to liberal" or "their a Democrat".
pnwmom
(109,028 posts)LisaM
(27,864 posts)First they harass people at Hillary events (and there's that beautiful picture of that smiling young woman that just sums up that ugliness), then they rant against a very popular Senator, Barbara Boxer, and now they want to change the voting rules after it's begun?
People are going to get tired of this very quickly. I hope this is tossed out quickly.
still_one
(92,552 posts)cast. Your right, this should get tossed out quickly
bucolic_frolic
(43,569 posts)Bush v. Gore was ended with an injunction
We might need one in January
still_one
(92,552 posts)submit a ballot that wasn't one you allegedly requested?
In fact, ANYONE, given the supposedly wrong ballot, who registered as NPP, (No Party Preference), on election day can go to the polling place and exchange that ballot for the Democratic one.
However, if they already voted, and cast the ballot, and now want a redo, forget it.
Are you a mature adult who knows how to read?
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)still_one
(92,552 posts)didn't request a Democratic one. All they would have had to do is exchange that ballot for a Democratic one, and they could do that on the day of the election, by going to the poll. Instead, they filled out the ballot, and submitted by mail, and want a redo.
Sorry, that doesn't cut it.
If I am given a wrong ballot I am not going to fill it out and submit it.
1. They have had over a year to register for this election, and they can register or re-register online.
2. They choose to register as NPP instead of a Democrat, which means they have to take an extra step if they want to vote the Democratic ballot. This has only been in place for over 10 years, and they can exchange the ballot for the one they want up to and including election day.
3. However, if they already filled out and submitted a ballot, no re-dues. California is one of the most progressive states, and make registration and voting as flexible as possible.
This has absolutely no merit
LiberalArkie
(15,740 posts)pnwmom
(109,028 posts)question everything
(47,616 posts)You knew what the rules were when you decided to join the race.
Democrats have a right to decide that only registered Democrats vote for their candidates. (And Republicans, too.)
Sanders has never been a Democrat, actively campaigned against Democratic candidates, suggested that Obama be challenged in 2012 and most of his supporters are not Democrats. All his wins were in states with open primaries and caucuses.
Still, this is not enough for him. He and his supporters will have a repeat of 1968. It will be Trump in the White House and they will rejoice.
cloudythescribbler
(2,586 posts)There are many signs of a Trump presidency being "getting with the program". There are also many signs (including the otherwise inexplicable stupidity as Hillary approaches the point of being the presumptive nominee, of her and her surrogates to do EVERYTHING possible to alienate as many Bernie supporters as possible, making it hard to herd at least those of us Sanderistas in swing states to vote TO KEEP TRUMP OUT in Nov
And for all those who object to "lesser evilism", having a neoliberal instead of someone with more fascist tendencies in the White House IS a very GOOD reason for voting Democratic in the GE
Laser102
(816 posts)EileenFB
(360 posts)Way to go in giving ammunition to republicans that the democratic party is not united!
MyNameGoesHere
(7,638 posts)the statement on CNN tRump shill about Sanders wanting to ride the coat tails of tRump with this debate shenanigans , should prove once and for all. Sanders is in this for himself. He is not a Democrat, he should not be on the ticket. It's time for him to switch once again to another party, possibly the party of tRump.
Democat
(11,617 posts)I would be happy to support Sanders in November over Trump, but this sounds stupid to the average voter.
pnwmom
(109,028 posts)that standard procedure, why didn't they object months ago?
still_one
(92,552 posts)ballot. Don't people read what they are voting on?
Sorry no re dos
elleng
(131,458 posts)'Bill Simpich, one of the San Francisco-based lawyers representing the group, said, "The main relief we are asking for is for the independent voters -- non-party preference or NPP -- to be able to vote for president on June 7 without tying up the voting lines and avoiding a situation of mass confusion.
We are asking the judge for an order that the poll workers be trained to inform voters that NPP voters have a separate presidential ballot rather than the voter having to ask for one, and that PSAs be sent out to all voters about how to vote NPP given the incorrect mandatory notices mailed out by government officials across the state, and to ensure that there are enough ballots for everyone to vote, he told ABC News.
"We believe the City Attorney is confused about what the problems are: 50 percent of the NPP voters want to vote Democratic. As of May 24, only 14 percent of them have received their ballots. Half to 2/3 of the whole state votes by mail. Hundreds of thousands of votes at stake. The deadline to have the elections officials mail your ballot to you is May 31."'
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)elleng
(131,458 posts)cloudythescribbler
(2,586 posts)Maedhros
(10,007 posts)Nitram
(22,985 posts)Retrograde
(10,188 posts)"The main relief we are asking for is for the independent voters -- non-party preference or NPP -- to be able to vote for president on June 7 without tying up the voting lines and avoiding a situation of mass confusion.
California is using the same process it used in previous partisan elections. No one is keeping the information secret; in fact the state has already sent out a PSA - called the California voters' guide - to all households with registered voters. And if you need a refresher, the information can be found here. I've bookmarked this site since questions about the process come up several times a day.
I don't know where the person who filed the lawsuit is getting these figures: this NPP voter received her ballot - a Democratic one, because I told my county that's what I wanted, sent it back and had it accepted before this suit was filed. And while I'd like to change one of my downticket votes, once you turn in the ballot that's it.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)It has been awhile since I watched it, so I might not be 100 percent accurate in reporting all of the details. But she made the video because when in training they were told to give people crossing over to vote for the Democratic candidate a provisional ballot (I believe that is the one). But her handbook specifically mentioned a ballot these people were to be given called a Cross-Over Democratic ballot. She called the Democratic office and asked the person which was correct - a provisional ballot as they were told in training to use (again I believe it was the provisional) or the Democratic Cross-Over Ballot as the handbook stipulated. The Democratic party worker said the handbook had the correct ballot listed and the ballot mentioned in the training session was incorrect. The DNC worker asked her to spread the word to others being trained along with her.
Perhaps this needs to be look into further. Perhaps these voters need to acquire a Democratic-cross over ballot if that fits their particular registration situation and call the Democratic party itself (in CA) for assistance. Anything is better than being disenfranchised.
Just throwing this out there elleng in case it is relevant.
Sam
elleng
(131,458 posts)Samantha
(9,314 posts)Samantha
(9,314 posts)Is it too late to pick a party ballot for casting a presidential vote on June 7?
No, as long as a voter was registered as having "no party preference" by the end of the day on May 23.
For unaffiliated Californians who plan to vote in person on election day, there's nothing that needs to be done in advance. Simply show up at the assigned polling place and ask for a Democratic, Libertarian or American Independent Party ballot.
It's a little more complicated for unaffiliated voters who vote by mail and either haven't yet decided which party's ballot to request or want to change their mind.
Those voters need to either contact their county elections office by May 31 and ask to be mailed a new ballot, or take the existing ballot to their assigned polling place on election day and switch it there.
(Yes, even Californians with permanent vote-by-mail status have an assigned polling place. Some counties list it on the sample ballot, while others detail the information online or will provide it by phone.) (bold emphasis added)
There are all types of scenarios (questions with answers) so perhaps this might be helpful.
But it appears it is not to late for voters in CA to correct their problems (Democratic voters that is).
Sam
Retrograde
(10,188 posts)Last edited Fri May 27, 2016, 07:40 PM - Edit history (1)
My county - Santa Clara - has its act together and mailed postcards out to NPP voters in March - well before the sample ballots went out - asking them to reply by a certain date or get the default ballot with no presidential candidates. And the registrar's website has all the key dates, as well as a way to track your mail ballot. Not all of the 58 counties seem to have done this: however, the basic voting information is all online at the SoS website, in several languages - and with an English audio version.
I'm starting to think some people wouldn't be satisfied unless the Secretary of State visited them personally and filled in their ballots for them. And then they'd complain he didn't bring them ice cream.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)I guess it gets difficult to manage from just the sheer high numbers.
Sam
Retrograde
(10,188 posts)A friend who volunteers as an election worker walked me through the process used to count mail ballots which seemed scrupulous, and people I know who've run for county and state offices - Democrats and Libertarians - swear at least our county is fair and above board.
But there are 40 million people in California, a lot more than in any other state: my county has twice the population of Vermont FWIW, and we're not even the biggest one. There's a large population of young voters, and naturalized citizens. The people who run the elections are human, and like most of us, do occasionally make mistakes. Say there are 20 million eligible voters. A 0.1% error rate in getting ballots or voter information out (both the state and individual counties send out information pamphlets; counties send out sample ballots) affects 20,000 people.
I've been voting in California for 40 years come November, and I've seen a few slip-ups, but contacting the county registrar got them fixed. I think a lot of confusion is coming from first time voters, especially those who haven't educated themselves about a process that isn't exactly the same as any other state. And I don't think the Sanders campaign has helped clarify things to the new voters they enrolled this year. Ironically, if the Democratic party had opted for a closed presidential primary this year and not let No Party Preference voters participate, we wouldn't be seeing complaints like this. Of course, then people would be complaining about the closed primary.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)can make a difference. I was going to say the DNC but stopped because I am not sure that would be the right angle. It does seem to me that primaries should open because we do not want to known as suppressing the vote. The Republicans do that, but not us! I am sure as you say these elections are difficult because of the sheer numbers. Perhaps some people need to get together and brainstorm about how to make things easier. I know that is not much, but it is all I got!
Soon it will be over for all of us.
Regards,
Sam
Retrograde
(10,188 posts)assuming there isn't another proposition to change primary processes, and then we'll have a whole new bunch of people whining that it's confusing.
I plan to write the CA Secretary of State after the primary and ask that his office review the procedures in each county to make sure they all follow state guidelines (hey, the people are only human after all) and follow-up to make sure any problems found are corrected.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)I hope you have success.
Sam
pnwmom
(109,028 posts)And they don't do this every day, and policies change, and mistakes happen.
This is true in almost every election everywhere.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)But it is kind of complicated because there are just so many different scenarios and one has to have the correct answer (with the correct ballot) to facilitate their vote. I think that article is great because it differentiates so many different types of situations and details how to correct the problem.
Sam
pnwmom
(109,028 posts)that was sent to all non-Affiliated voters. You can see it at this link if you scroll halfway down.
This is the request form for a Democratic ballot that the lawsuit filers say was too difficult for Bernie voters to handle.
As a no-party preference voter, for this Primary Election Only, I request a Vote by Mail Ballot for the following party (check only one)
Democratic Party
American Independent Party
Libertarian Party
http://voteforbernie.org/state/california/
bluestateguy
(44,173 posts)And these last two months we've heard a lot more fussing and complaining about the process from Sanders, and less about the actual issues.
That's a characteristic of a losing candidate.
BlueMTexpat
(15,376 posts)Left Coast2020
(2,397 posts)...someone come up with the lame ass excuse that we are "giving the election to Chump". It's coming soon. Just wait.
riversedge
(70,482 posts)respected Dem. Sen. from from CA a B**ch,--the list goes on. Yes, the sanders camp and his supporters may very be giving the election to donald.
Left Coast2020
(2,397 posts)It's Downer Debbie and Hillary that are at the tipping point of splitting this Party to the abyss. And I would like to see proof any of Bernie's supporters called Barbara a b****. I sincerely put no credibility in your assertions.
jmowreader
(50,604 posts)Toward the end of the video, a bearded guy yells out, "who gives a shit, bitch?" It is VERY clear.
zalinda
(5,621 posts)Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)yeah - those Sanders crybabies! Running AGAINST the DNC and a raft of superdelegates pledging even BEFORE the race began! How insensitive that they don't just offer themselves as carpeting for the Coronation! Gawd knows Queenie would never raise a fuss. Just look at how casual she was about her opponent the last time she ran. Cool Hand Hillary.
The recent Nevada debacle is just the latest in the roughshod trample of democracy. It's a cryin' shame that Justice Jimmy wasn't there to monitor things.
Pauldg47
(640 posts)BlueMTexpat
(15,376 posts)Dem primary before. Lessons learned: no one who has never been a Dem should be allowed to run for president as a Dem candidate; all caucuses should be abolished in favor of primaries; and ALL primaries should be closed.
NEVER AGAIN!
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)SunSeeker
(51,824 posts)Laser102
(816 posts)Paladin
(28,290 posts)johnp3907
(3,737 posts)SansACause
(520 posts)Form your own damn party instead of trying to take over mine!
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)TwilightZone
(25,525 posts)Sure, why not.
wryter2000
(46,145 posts)Any time you team up with the American Independent Party, you'd better question what you're about. These people will put Trump in office to win a point.
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)is the residual from George Wallace's run as an Southern Segregationist independent.
People should really be paying attention to what they are doing when it comes to voting.
jmowreader
(50,604 posts)A lot of people who didn't want to affiliate with a party saw "No Party Preference" and "American Independent Party" on the form, thought, "I'm an independent, I don't know what 'no party preference' means, I'll put down "independent party." And they wound up in the party whose greatest hit was George Wallace's 1968 presidential candidacy.
wryter2000
(46,145 posts)Neither he nor his campaign are mentioned as involved. I question the judgement of some of his followers.
skylucy
(3,749 posts)that to some of us here in California, this smells like Republicans playing dirty tricks wanting Republicans to re-register as Dems and vote for Bernie---even though they will, of course, vote for Trump in November. Of course, Sanders campaign wouldn't mind getting more votes for Bernie...even if they are from Republicans. But I wouldn't count out right wingers as responsible for this lawsuit. Wish an ambitious investigative journalist would look into this. The lawsuit won't succeed though. HILLARY 2016
LiberalFighter
(51,403 posts)More "Mommy Mommy, they aren't letting me have more votes."?
beastie boy
(9,586 posts)First, debating Trump as if he were a nominee or a GOP candidate, and now filing a lawsuit together with the right wing American Independence Party.
And over what? Neither have merit. It's pure self-promotion, no matter the consequences.
...Was someone saying Bernie has the interests of the Democratic Party at heart?
Turin_C3PO
(14,156 posts)Bernie is behind this or supports it?
beastie boy
(9,586 posts)Or his name being associated with the right wing group.
lostnfound
(16,203 posts)beastie boy
(9,586 posts)"Oh, Bernie has nothing to do with an organized group of Bernie backers!"
If you believe this, then you must believe that Correct the Record is not spending a penny to promote Hillary's interests.
Pauldg47
(640 posts)beastie boy
(9,586 posts)frivolous lawsuits...
msongs
(67,509 posts)w4rma
(31,700 posts)to black folks. An entire thread of pro-Freeper, anti-democratic comments.
newthinking
(3,982 posts)w4rma
(31,700 posts)Skink
(10,122 posts)Still trying to get info in the suit.
Response to w4rma (Reply #50)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Tal Vez
(660 posts)liberal N proud
(60,352 posts)How many times does this need to be drilled in these dense people?
One more time:
PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE THE PROCESS OF THE PARTY selecting their candidates.
If you want to have a vote in that process, join the PARTY!
GET IT?
-none
(1,884 posts)The parties should be responsive to their members, not the other way around.
stopbush
(24,401 posts)to be an adult.
Orrex
(63,297 posts)Wait--they didn't?
Then why the hell didn't these allegedly disenfranchised but simply disgruntled would-be voters read the rules? Where they hidden, or top secret or something?
What? They've always been publicly available? Then only a fool would sue for his own failure to read.
litlbilly
(2,227 posts)emails. They are all over the place and it shows.
pnwmom
(109,028 posts)(the one that got scheduled for August.)
They've decided to go judge-shopping.
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)brought out the Ass Hole in him and his hard core supporters!
johnp3907
(3,737 posts)"The courts are rigged!!!"
abakan
(1,819 posts)Nominated by William J. Clinton on March 24, 1999, to a seat vacated by Thelton Eugene Henderson. Confirmed by the Senate on July 30, 1999, and received commission on August 17, 1999.
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)It's curious, because that is actually an argument against the Clintons, they cannot select qualified judges for nomination.
pnwmom
(109,028 posts)and gave it an August hearing date.
If he thought it was an emergency he wouldn't have done that.
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)abakan
(1,819 posts)You can think what you like IDGAF
Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)I didn't think they could get any more unhinged than challenging Trump.
Response to Cali_Democrat (Original post)
Post removed
Gothmog
(146,031 posts)Yeah http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/1/judge-rejects-bernie-sanders-supporters-voting-law/
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A federal judge has rejected a lawsuit by a Bernie Sanders supporter who argued elections officials in California were robbing unaffiliated voters of the chance to vote in the states June 7 Democratic presidential primary.
U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said Wednesday the Voting Rights Defense Project waited too long to request an injunction for radio and TV ads informing unaffiliated voters that they can vote in the presidential primary of the Democratic, American Independent and Libertarian parties.
The group had argued that county elections officials were failing to inform unaffiliated voters of that right, threatening to disenfranchise thousands of voters. Its lawsuit named California Secretary of State Alex Padilla and two county elections officials.
Padilla said the lawsuit was frivolous.