74th district lawsuit

8/9/2019 74th District Lawsuit

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IN THE UNITED STATES S STATE COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA

RICHMOND DIVISION

DAVID LAMBERT )GARY HILL SR. )

LINDA HILL )

Plaintiffs, )

)

v. ) Case No. ______________

)

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF VIRGINIA, )

An n!n"o#$o#a%e& asso"!a%!on )

SERVE' D(!*% C. +ones, C*a!#an )RETURN FOR THIRD PARTY SERVICE OF PROCESS

)

-THHOUSE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC )

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

SERVE' Ca%*/ 0oo&son, C*a!#(oan )RETURN FOR THIRD PARTY SERVICE OF PROCESS )

Defendants. )

COMPLAINT

COMES NOW THE Plaintiffs, David Lambert (Lambert) and ar! Hill, Sr" (ar!

Hill), and Linda Hill (Linda Hill) b! #$%nsel, and f$r t&eir C$m'laint aainst t&e Defendants

&erein, state t&e f$ll$in*

INTRODUCTION

+" T&is #ase is br$%&t '%rs%ant t$ - ."S"C" / +012 and / - $f t&e 3$tin 4i&ts

5#t $f +067, - / / +082 et seqt$ vindi#ate t&e ri&ts $f v$ters t$ 'arti#i'ate in t&e '$liti#al

'r$#ess and t&e ri&ts $f a #andidate t$ &ave a##ess t$ t&e ball$t"

-" T&is #ase 'resents several federal #$nstit%ti$nal #&allenes, and several

#&allenes t$ t&e Vo%!n R!*%s A"% o1 2345"


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2" 5s a''lied t$ Plaintiffs, and t&$%sands $f $t&ers, t&e a#ti$ns $f defendants

vi$lated t&e P$liti#al S'ee#& and t&e 4i&t $f 5ss$#iati$n Cla%ses $f t&e 9irst 5mendment $f t&e

C$nstit%ti$n $f t&e .nited States, t&e E:%al Pr$te#ti$n Cla%se $f t&e + t&5mendment t$ t&e

C$nstit%ti$n $f t&e .nited States, t&e D%e Pr$#ess Cla%se $f t&e + t& 5mendment t$ t&e

C$nstit%ti$n $f t&e .nited States and t&e 9ifteent& 5mendment t$ t&e C$nstit%ti$n $f t&e .nited

States"

" 5s a''lied t$ Plaintiffs, and t&$%sands $f $t&ers, t&e a#ti$ns $f t&e defendants

vi$lated Se#ti$n - $f t&e 3$tin 4i&ts 5#t $f +067, - ."S"C" / +082 et seq.

7" 5s a''lied s'e#ifi#all! t$ 'laintiff David Lambert (&ereinafter Lambert), t&e

a#ti$ns $f defendants de'rived &im $f &is ri&t t$ be a #andidate in a n$minati$n 'r$#ess as

%aranteed b! t&e 9irst and 9$%rteent& 5mendments t$ t&e C$nstit%ti$n $f t&e .nited States"

6" Plaintiffs brin t&is a#ti$n %nder - ."S"C" / / +012 and +011, see;in

de#larat$r! and in'ressl! a%t&$ri?ed b! - ."S"C" / +011, and as t$ t&e 3$tin 4i&ts 5#t, b! -

."S"C" / +082 l(e).

8" S'e#ifi#all!, %*e Deo"#a%!" Pa#%/ o1 V!#!n!a(&ereinafter DP35) $'eratin

t&r$%& t&e -%*Hose D!s%#!"% Deo"#a%!" No!na%!n Co!%%ee(&ereinafter N$minatin

C$mmittee), #$nd%#ted an %n#$nstit%ti$nal and illeal n$minati$n 'r$#ess t$ #&$$se t&e $ffi#ial

Dem$#rati# Part! #andidate f$r t&e S'e#ial Ele#ti$n &eld $n @an%ar! +2 t&, -A+7, t$ fill t&e

va#an#! in t&e '$siti$n $f Deleate f$r t&e 8t&Distri#t in t&e 3irinia H$%se $f Deleates

(&ereinafter S'e#ial Ele#ti$n)"

-


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1" T&e 8t& H$%se Distri#t $f t&e 3irinia H$%se $f Deleates (&ereinafter 8 t&

Distri#t) #$nsists $f 2 're#in#ts in C&arles Cit! C$%nt!, -6 're#in#ts in Henri#$ C$%nt! and $ne

're#in#t (2A+) in t&e Cit! $f 4i#&m$nd" Bt &ad been dran t$ be a ma


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+2" 3en%e is 'r$'er f$r t&is a#ti$n in t&is distri#t and divisi$n, '%rs%ant t$ -1 ."S"C"

/ +20+(b) and L$#al 4%le (C), in t&at a s%bstantial 'art $f t&e events $r $missi$ns ivin rise t$

t&e #laim $##%rred andF$r #an $##%r in t&e f%t%re in t&is distri#t and divisi$n"

+" T&is C$%rt '$ssess 'ers$nal t n$minati$n 'r$#ess t$

sele#t t&e Dem$#rati# n$minee f$r t&e '$siti$n $f Deleate in t&e 8t&Distri#t"

-A" T&e Dem$#rati# Part! $f 3irinia is t&e $ffi#ial state 'art! f$r t&e Dem$#rati#

Part! $f t&e .nited States" Bt &ad been deleated stat%t$r! res'$nsibilit! %nder state la f$r

sele#tin t&e n$minati$n 'r$#ess t$ sele#t t&e $ffi#ial Dem$#rati# n$minee in t&e S'e#ial


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Ele#ti$n '%rs%ant t$ / -"-7A1+A $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as amended, %nless $t&erise

limited b! / -"-+A+ et seq.

-+" Defendant Di&t C" @$nes is t&e state #&air $f t&e DP35 '%rs%ant t$ 5rti#le ,

/ "++ $f t&e Part! Plan" He is t&e #&ief $ffi#er $f t&e DP35" He is s%ed in &is $ffi#ial #a'a#it!"

--" T&e 8t& H$%se Distri#t Dem$#rati# N$minatin C$mmittee &ad been #reated

'%rs%ant t$ t&e Part! Plan t$ e>er#ise t&e state '$er iven t&e DP35 $ver t&e n$minati$n

'r$#ess" T&is N$minatin C$mmittee %sed t&at '$er t$ #&$$se t&e met&$d $f n$minati$n,

devel$'in t&e r%les and #$nd%#tin t&e 'r$#ess f$r sele#tin t&e $ffi#ial Dem$#rati# n$minee in

t&e S'e#ial Ele#ti$n" T&e #&air$man as Ms" Cat&! W$$ds$n" S&e is s%ed in &er $ffi#ial

#a'a#it!"

-2" Wit& res'e#t t$ all fa#ts and vi$lati$ns alleed in t&is #$m'laint, Defendants a#ted

%nder t&e #$l$r $f state la"

BAC6GROUND FACTUAL AND LEGAL INFORMATION

SPECIAL ELECTION SET

-" T&e 3irinia H$%se $f Deleates (&ereinafter t&e H$%se) is divided int$ +AA

Distri#ts n%mbered ++AA"

-7" Ea#& Distri#t ele#ts $ne 'ers$n t$ serve as a Deleate"

-6" Mr" @$se'& D" M$rrisse! $n ele#ti$n t$ be t&e Deleate fr$m t&e 8t&Distri#t in

t&e eneral ele#ti$n &eld $n N$vember 7, -A+2"

-8" T&is entitled &im t$ serve a t$ !ear term beinnin it& t&e #$nvenin $f t&e

eneral 5ssembl! in earl! @an%ar! $f -A+"

7


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-1" T&e ne>t re%larl! s#&ed%led ele#ti$n f$r t&e 8t&Distri#t is N$vember 2, -A+7"

5ll +AA H$%se distri#ts, al$n it& all A seats in t&e State Senate, ill be #$ntested $n t&is date"

-0" On De#ember +1, -A+, Deleate @$se'& D" M$rrisse! s%bmitted a resinati$n

letter t$ t&e Cler; $f t&e H$%se $f Deleates"

2A" T&is resinati$n letter is irrev$#able %nder / -"---6 $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia,

+07A, as amended"

2+" His resinati$n be#ame effe#tive $n T%esda!, @an%ar! +2, -A+7"

2-" 5 s'e#ial ele#ti$n ma! be #alled t$ fill a va#an#! in an %ne>'ired term $f a

member $f t&e eneral 5ssembl!" T&e S'ea;er $f t&e H$%se $f Deleates, '%rs%ant t$ / -"-

-+6 $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as amended, iss%ed a rit $f ele#ti$n f$r a S'e#ial Ele#ti$n t$

#$in#ide it& Mr" M$rrisse!=s date $f resinati$n, t&%s %aranteein re'resentative #$ntin%it!, as

'ermitted b! / -"--+6 $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as amended"

22" T&e S'e#ial Ele#ti$n t&eref$re &ad been #alled t$ fill t&e a''r$>imatel! $ne !ear

remainin in Mr" M$rrisse!=s %ne>'ired term"

DEMOCRATS SELECT FIREHOUSE PRIMARY NOMINATION PROCESS

2" T&e C$nstit%ti$n $f 3irinia, 5rti#le -, / , ives t&e eneral 5ssembl! t&e s$le

ri&t t$ 'r$vide f$r t&e n$minati$n $f all #andidates"

27" / -"-7A1 $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as amended, is a eneral deleati$n $f

'%bli# '$er fr$m t&e eneral 5ssembl! t$ a '$liti#al 'art! all$in said '$liti#al 'art! t$

'r$vide f$r t&e n$minati$n $f its #andidates"

6


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26" T&e term '$liti#al 'art! is defined in / -"-+A+ $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A,

as amended" T&e DP35, and 4e'%bli#an Part! $f 3irinia, are t&e $nl! t$ state 'arties meetin

t&is definiti$n"

28" T&e eneral 5ssembl! did n$t a##$m'an! t&is stat%t$r! deleati$n $f '%bli#

'$er t$ a n$n'%bli# entit! it& an! meaninf%l %idelines, limitati$ns $r standards, alt&$%&

t&is deleati$n is limited in #ertain instan#es b! $t&er se#ti$ns $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia"

21" T&e DP35 is t&e $ffi#iall! san#ti$ned state $rani?ati$n re'resentin t&e

Dem$#rati# Part! $f t&e .nited States"

20" T&e Part! Plan is t&e #&ief $vernin d$#%ment f$r t&e DP35"

A" T&is Part! Plan 'r$vided f$r t&e DP35 t$ $'erate t&r$%& t&e N$minatin

C$mmittee t$ #&$$se t&e $ffi#ial DP35 n$minee f$r t&e S'e#ial Ele#ti$n as 'r$vided in 5rti#le

8, / 8"+7 and f%rt&er 'r$vided in 5rti#le +-, / +-"2 and +-"6,

+" / -"-7A0 $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as amended, s'e#ifi#all! a%t&$ri?ed t&e

DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minati$n C$mmittee, t$ determine t&e met&$d b! &i#& t&e

$ffi#ial Dem$#rati# n$minee in t&e S'e#ial Ele#ti$n $%ld be #&$sen"

-" / -"-7+A $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as amended, 'r$vided t&e timeline f$r

t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minati$n C$mmittee, t$ #$m'lete t&e #&$sen n$minati$n

'r$#ess"

2" On $r ab$%t De#ember +1, -A+, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin

C$mmittee, sele#ted a met&$d $f n$minati$n"

" T&e met&$d $f n$minati$n, al$n it& t&e r%les $vernin t&e sele#ti$n 'r$#ess,

ere #$ntained in a d$#%ment entitled Call T$ Ca%#%s"

8


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7" On De#ember +0, -A+, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee,

made t&e $ffi#ial Call T$ Ca%#%s '%bli#"

HO0 THE FIREHOUSE PRIMARY 0AS CONDUCTED

6" W&ile t&e $rd #a%#%s is %sed in t&e Part! Plan, n$t fire&$%se 'rimar!, t&e

Call T$ Ca%#%s said t&e 'r$#ess $f n$minati$n $%ld be an %nassembled #a%#%s (fire&$%se

'rimar!)" T&e term fire&$%se 'rimar! is a eneri#all! re#$ni?ed des#ri'ti$n f$r t&is

'arti#%lar met&$d $f a '$liti#al #a%#%s in 3irinia '$liti#s (&ereinafter fire&$%se 'rimar!)" See

e"",Miller v. Brown, 7A2 9" 2d" 26A (t&Cir" -AA8)"

8" T&e Part! Plan states t&at Gever! resident $f t&e C$mm$nealt& $f 3irinia &$

believes in t&e 'rin#i'les $f t&e Dem$#rati# Part! is &ereb! de#lared a member $f t&e

Dem$#rati# Part! $f 3irinia '%rs%ant t$ 5rti#le -, / -"+ (&ereinafter Dem$#rats)"

1" 5rti#le 2, Se#ti$n / 2"+ $f t&e Part! Plan, entitled 9%ll Parti#i'ati$n states t&e

Dem$#rati# Part! s&all n$t dis#riminate $n t&e basis $f Jra#eJe#$n$mi# stat%s"

0" 5rti#le +, / +" $f t&e Part! Plan states Gn$ fee $f an! ;ind ma! be #&ared

f$r t&e ri&t t$ attend a v$te at a #a%#%s"

7A" 5rti#le 0, / 0"2 $f t&e Part! Plan, entitled 9%ll Parti#i'ati$n is an$t&er

de#larati$n t&at t&e f%ll 'arti#i'ati$n b! all Dem$#rats in all '&ases $fJn$minatin

'r$#ed%res is t$ be ranted &enever '$ssible"

7+" H$ever t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, des'ite s%#&

im'li#it 'r$mises $n &$ it $%ld %se t&e deleated '%bli# '$er, instead ab%sed t&is '$er t$

disenfran#&ise and $t&erise dis#riminate aainst Plaintiffs and man! t&$%sands $f $t&ers

similarl! sit%ated as des#ribed &erein" T&e fire&$%se 'rimar! r%les t$$; aa! t&e ri&t t$ v$te

and disenfran#&ised all t&ese Dem$#rats $ver&elminl! 5fri#an 5meri#an e>#e't f$r t&$se

1


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#$nsidered t$ be members in $$d standin $f eit&er t&e $ffi#ial l$#al Dem$#rati# #$mmittee

f$r C&arles Cit! C$%nt! (&ereinafter C&arles Cit! C$mmittee), Henri#$ C$%nt! (&ereinafter

Henri#$ C$%nt! C$mmittee), $r t&e Cit! $f 4i#&m$nd (&ereinafter 4i#&m$nd Cit!

C$mmittee) as $f De#ember +1, -A+"

7-" T&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, ;ne t&e fire&$%se

'rimar! r%les $%ld leave $nl! a &andf%l $f l$#al #$mmittee $ffi#ials a''r$>imatel! 7A it&

t&eir ri&t t$ v$te in t&e n$minati$n 'r$#ess (&ereinafter l$#al #$mmittee $ffi#ials)"

72" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin

C$mmittee, ;ne $ffi#ial state statisti#s at t&e time t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! r%les ere a''r$ved

s&$ed t&e 2 C&arles Cit! C$%nt! 're#in#ts it& 7,2-7 reistered v$ters, $r a''r$>imatel! +A

$f t&e 72,7++ reistered v$ters in t&e 8t&Distri#t"

7" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, t&is +A fi%re is #$nsistent it& C&arles Cit!

C$%nt!=s relative 'r$'$rti$n $f t&e '$'%lati$n in t&e 8t&Distri#t"



s&$ed t&e -6 Henri#$ C$%nt! 're#in#ts it& 6,817 reistered v$ters $r a''r$>imatel! 18 $f

t&e reistered v$ters in t&e 8t&Distri#t"

76" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, t&is 18 fi%re is #$nsistent it& Henri#$ C$%nt!=s

relative 'r$'$rti$n $f t&e '$'%lati$n in t&e 8t&Distri#t"



s&$ed t&e + Cit! $f 4i#&m$nd 're#in#t it& ++ reistered v$ters, $r a''r$>imatel! 2 $f t&e

reistered v$ters in t&e 8t&Distri#t"

0


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71" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, t&is 2 fi%re is #$nsistent it& t&e 4i#&m$nd

Cit!=s relative 'r$'$rti$n $f t&e '$'%lati$n in t&e 8t&Distri#t"


C$mmittee, ;ne t&e t$tal n%mber $f eliible v$ters in C&arles Cit! C$%nt! &ad been red%#ed t$

a''r$>imatel! -"

6A" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin

C$mmittee, ;ne t&e t$tal n%mber $f eliible v$ters in Henri#$ C$%nt! &ad been red%#ed t$

a''r$>imatel! -8"

6+" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin

C$mmittee, ;ne t&e t$tal n%mber $f eliible v$ters &ad been red%#ed t$ A (?er$)"

6-" T&e v$tin statisti#s f$r t&e last ele#ti$n f$r Deleate in t&e 8t&Distri#t, &i#&

ere available t$ t&e DP35 t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee at t&e time t&e fire&$%se 'rimar!

r%les ere devel$'ed, s&$ed -+,A v$tes &ad been #ast f$r t&e Dem$#rati# n$minee in t&at

-A+2 ele#ti$n" T&is as a''r$>imatel! 06 $f t&e t$tal v$te #ast"

62" Dem$#rats in C&arles Cit! C$%nt! a##$%nted f$r a''r$>imatel! 0 +070 v$tes

$f t$tal n%mber $f v$tes in -A+2"

6" Dem$#rats in Henri#$ C$%nt! a##$%nted f$r a''r$>imatel! 11 $f t&is t$tal"

67" Dem$#rats in t&e Cit! $f 4i#&m$nd a##$%nted f$r a''r$>imatel! 2 $f t&is t$tal"

66" T&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, ;ne ivin C&arles

Cit! C$%nt! near v$tin 'arit! it& Henri#$ C$%nt!, iven t&ese ;n$n statisti#s, is 'r$&ibited

b! t&e federal #$nstit%ti$n" See Gray v Sanders28- ."S" 261 (+062)" 9%rt&erm$re, it vi$lates t&e

im'li#it standard $f 'r$'$rti$nal fairness re#$ni?ed in 5rti#le +7, / +7"+ $f t&e Part! Plan"

+A


11/44

68" T&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, ;ne t&ere ere

a''r$>imatel! +-87 a#tive v$ters in t&e Cit! $f 4i#&m$nd residin in t&e 8 t&Distri#t in 're#in#t

2A+" T&e! f%rt&er ;ne t&is 're#in#t &ad v$ted 00"2 f$r t&e Dem$#rati# n$minee f$r Deleate

in -A+2"

61" Ket t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, ;ne t&e fire&$%se

'rimar! r%les $%ld ta;e aa! t&e ri&t t$ v$te and disenfran#&ise +AA $f t&ese 5fri#an

5meri#an Dem$#rats residin in t&e Cit! $f 4i#&m$nd, sin#e n$t $ne as a member in $$d

standin $f t&e 4i#&m$nd Cit! C$mmittee"

60" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, at least +A,AAA m$re residents in t&e 8

t&

H$%se

Distri#t #ast a ball$t f$r t&e Dem$#rati# #andidate f$r President in -A+- t&an f$r Deleate in

-A+2" 5##$rdin t$ t&e Part! Plan, alm$st all, $r all, $f t&ese additi$nal +AAAA residents $%ld

:%alif! as members $f t&e DP35"

8A" 5t all times, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, and bein

familiar it& t&e ra#ial ba#;r$%nd $f t&e v$ters in t&e 8t& H$%se Distri#t, ;ne t&e

$ver&elmin ma


12/44

8-" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin

C$mmittee, ;ne t&at members&i' $n t&e C&arles Cit! C$mmittee re:%ired 'a!in a mandat$r!,

n$nref%ndable fee"


C$mmittee, ;ne t&at t&$se a''l!in f$r members&i' t$ t&e Henri#$ C$%nt! C$mmittee ere

e>'e#ted t$ 'a! a fee, alt&$%& s%#& a''li#ant #$%ld re:%est f$r a fee aiver" 9%rt&erm$re t&e

DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, ;ne t&at fe s%#& a''li#ants as; f$r

s%#& a fee aiver sin#e admittin t$ an inabilit! t$ aff$rd t&e fee is &i&l! embarrassin"


C$mmittee, ;ne t&at t&$se a''l!in f$r members&i' t$ t&e 4i#&m$nd Cit! C$mmittee are

e>'e#ted t$ 'a! a fee, alt&$%& s%#& a''li#ant #$%ld re:%est a fee aiver" 9%rt&erm$re, t&e

DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, ;ne t&at fe s%#& a''li#ants as; f$r

s%#& a fee aiver sin#e admittin t$ an inabilit! t$ aff$rd t&e fee is &i&l! embarrassin"

87" Harper v Virginia Board of Elections, 212 ."S" 662 (+066) banned t&e %se $f t&e

'$ll ta> $r similar devi#e t$ den! #iti?ens t&e ri&t t$ v$te in t&e ele#ti$n 'r$#ess"

86" 5##$rdin t$ Harper, a Gstate vi$lates t&e E:%al Pr$te#ti$n Cla%se $f t&e

9$%rteent& 5mendment &enever it ma;es t&e affl%en#e $f t&e v$ter $r t&e 'a!ment $f an! fee

an ele#t$ral standard"Id,at 666"

88" T&e ri&t t$ s%ffrae is f%ndamental and an! infrinement $f t&e ri&t $f #iti?ens

t$ v$te m%st be #aref%ll! and meti#%l$%sl! s#r%tini?ed" eynolds v. Si!s,288 ."S" 722, 76-

(+06)"

+-


13/44

81" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, t&$se a''l!in t$ #essive filin fees t$ s&ift t&e #$st $f t&e fire&$%se 'r$#ess t$

+2


14/44

'$tential #andidates it&$%t 'r$vidin a reas$nable alternative means $f a##ess t$ t&e ball$t"

B&lloc',s%'ra at +0"

17" Bn&$in,t&e ."S" S%'reme C$%rt e>'ressl! retent $f v$ter s%''$rt $f

an as'irant f$r '%bli# $ffi#e"Id, at 8+8"

16" 5 filin fee e:%al t$ + fee $f t&e ann%al salar! f$r t&e '%bli# $ffi#e s$%&t &as

been deemed #$nstit%ti$nall! reas$nable in Brown v. +ort* #arolina State Board of Elections,

20 9" S%''" 27 (W"D" N"C" +087)" 9ilin fees e:%al t$ +- $f t&e ann%al salar! f$r t&e $ffi#e

s$%&t ere seeminl! deemed #$nstit%ti$nall! reas$nable in &$in, s%'ra at 8+A" 5 filin fee

e:%al t$ n$ m$re t&an + $f t&e t$tal salar! t$ be earned d%rin term $f t&e $ffi#e s$%&t $t

im'li#it ba#;in in Biener v. #alio, 26+ 9" 2d" -A6 (-AA)" T&e filin fee f$r t&e re%larl!

s#&ed%led state r%n 'rimar! in 3irinia f$r DP35 #andidates is - $f t&e $ffi#ial ann%al salar!

'%rs%ant t$ / -"-7-2 $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as amended"

18" Bn t&e instant #ase, &$ever, t&e mandat$r! filin fee re:%ired t$ et $n t&e

fire&$%se 'rimar! ball$t e:%aled a''r$>imatel! 1"7 $f t&e $ffi#ial ann%al salar! it&$%t

'r$vidin an! alternate means t$ et $n said ball$t"

11" T&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& $t&er n$minatin #$mmittees, re%larl! %ses s%#&

%nreas$nable and e>#essive mandat$r! filin fees" 9$r e>am'le, last 5%%st, t&e DP35,

$'eratin t&r$%& t&e a''r$'riate n$minatin #$mmittee, #$nd%#ted a fire&$%se 'rimar! t$ ele#t

t&e Dem$#rati# n$minee f$r a s'e#ial ele#ti$n t$ fill a va#an#! in t&e +6 t&Senat$rial Distri#t $f

t&e 3irinia State Senate #reated b! t&e in#%mbent=s resinati$n" T&e filin fee in t&is +6 t&

Senat$rial Dem$#rati# fire&$%se &$%se n$minati$n 'r$#ess e:%aled nearl! +0 $f t&e ann%al

salar!"

+


15/44

10" T&e term 'rimar! is defined in / -"-+A+ $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as

amended" T&is stat%te defines 'rimar! as an ele#ti$n &eld f$r t&e '%r'$se $f sele#tin a

#andidate t$ be t&e n$minee $f a '$liti#al 'art! f$r ele#ti$n t$ $ffi#e"

0A" T&e $rd ele#ti$n is defined as a eneral, 'rimar! $r s'e#ial ele#ti$n b!

/ -"-+A+ $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as amended"

0+" 5s %sed in / -"-7-2 $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as amended t&e term

'rimar! d$es n$t in#l%de a fire&$%se 'rimar! n$minati$n 'r$#ess"Miller, s%'ra at 26-"

0-" T&%s, t&is stat%te d$es n$t, as a matter $f state la, a''l! t$ a 'art!=s fire&$%se

'rimar! n$minati$n 'r$#ess"

02" H$ever t&e stat%tes deleatin DP35 t&e '$er t$ #$nd%#t a fire&$%se

n$minati$n 'r$#ess d$ n$t s'e#ifi#all! rant t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin

C$mmittee, t&e s'e#ifi# '$er t$ #&are filin fees reater t&an $t&erise 'r$vided b! state la"

0" T&e D%e Pr$#ess Cla%se $f t&e +t&5mendment re:%ires an! s%#& deleati$n t$ a

'rivate 'art!, s%#& as t&e DP35, be a##$m'anied it& s%ffi#ient limitati$ns $n its e>er#ise" See,

e"", Seattle itle r&st #o. v. o$erge, -81 ."S" ++6, +-++-- (+0-1)"

07" T&e state #ann$t all$ t&e 'rivate 'art! t$ #$ntr$l t&e 'ri#e $f admissi$n t$ t&e

ele#t$ral 'r$#ess as t&e DP35 is 'ermitted t$ d$ %nder 3irinia la"Biener, s%'ra at -+6-+8"

06" Bn Biener, t&e state leislat%re 'r$vided s'e#ifi# stat%t$r! limitati$ns as reards

t&e deleati$n $f '$er t$ a '$liti#al 'art! t$ #&are a filin fee in a 'art! n$minati$n 'r$#ess"

N$ s%#& limitati$n is 'resent in 3irinia la"

RESULTS OF THE FIREHOUSE PRIMARY

08" On M$nda!, De#ember --, -A+, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin

C$mmittee, #$nd%#ted and s%'ervised t&e v$tin in t&e fire&$%se 'rimar!"

+7


16/44

01" T&$se fe d$?en l$#al #$mmittee $ffi#ials 'ermitted t$ #ast a ball$t #$%ld d$ s$ at

$ne l$#ati$n in C&arles Cit! C$%nt! and $ne l$#ati$n in Henri#$ C$%nt! beteen 80 '"m" $n

t&at date"

00" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, t&e innin #andidate re#eived - v$tes $f t&e -

v$tes #ast b! l$#al #$mmittee $ffi#ials"

+AA" .'$n inf$rmati$n and belief, t&e ma


17/44

+A6" Bnde'endent and min$r 'art! #andidates d$ n$t et s%#& an a%t$mati# ri&t t$ be

listed $n t&e ball$t f$r an! eneral $r s'e#ial ele#ti$n" T&e!, instead, need t$ #$lle#t and s%bmit

t&e stat%t$ril!mandated n%mber $f valid sinat%res fr$m 8 t&Distri#t residents in $rder t$ be

listed $n t&e state ball$t '%rs%ant t$ / -"-7A6(5) () $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as

amended"

FIREHOUSE PRIMARY IS STATE ACTION

+A8" / -"-7A17+A $f t&e C$de $f 3irinia, +07A, as amended, ma;es 'lain t&e

eneral 5ssembl!=s de#isi$n t$ deleate its a%t&$rit! %nder 5rti#le BB, / t$ 'ermit t&e DP35 t$

#&$$se t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! met&$d $f n$minati$n"

+A1" %t it t&eref$re f$ll$s t&at t&e 'art! ta;es its #&ara#ter as a state aen#! fr$m

t&e d%ties im'$sed %'$n it b! state stat%tes t&e d%ties d$ n$t be#$me matters $f 'rivate la

be#a%se t&e! are 'erf$rmed b! a '$liti#al 'art! S!it* v. "llwrig*t, 2-+ ."S" 60, 662 (+0)"

+A0" 5##$rdin t$ S!it*, t&e 'rivilee $f members&i' in a 'art!J&en, as &ere, t&at

'rivilee is als$ t&e essential :%alifi#ati$n f$r v$tin in a 'rimar! t$ sele#t n$minees f$r t&e

eneral ele#ti$n, t&e State ma;es t&e a#ti$n $f t&e 'art! t&e a#ti$n $f t&e state"Id, at 66667"

++A" T&e basi# reas$nin in S!it*&as alread! been a''lied t$ t&e deleati$n $f

n$minatin '$er b! t&e 3irinia eneral 5ssembl! in t&e #ase $fMorse v. ep&$lican arty of

Virginia, 7+8 ."S" +16 (+006)" Bn dis#%ssin S!it*, t&e #$%rt said t&e $nl! differen#e &ere is t&at

3irinia &as n$t re:%ired its '$liti#al 'arties t$ #$nd%#t 'rimar! ele#ti$ns t$ n$minate t&eir

+8


18/44

#andidates" %t t&e ri&t t$ #&$$se t&e met&$d $f n$minati$n ma;es t&e deleati$n $f

a%t&$rit!JGan even reater '$er $ver t&e sele#ti$n $f its n$minees"Id, at +00"

+++" W&ileMorseinv$lved t&e 're#learan#e 'r$visi$n $f / 7 $f t&e 3$tin 4i&ts 5#t,

t&e C$%rt $bserved t&at Gb! t&e l$i# $f S!it*, t&eref$re, t&e Part! G3irinia OP a#ted %nder

t&e a%t&$rit! $f t&e C$mm$nealt&"Id, at -AA"

++-" T&eMorsede#isi$n f%rt&er #itesice v El!ore,+67 9" -d" 218, 20A20+ (t&Cir"

+08), in #$n#l%din Gstate la relatin t$ t&e eneral ele#ti$n ives effe#t t$ &at is d$ne in

t&e 'rimar! and ma;es it


19/44

++6" 9%n#ti$nal e:%ivalent is a#tivit! s%ffi#ientl! a;in t$ $t&er a#tivit! as t$ ma;e

b$t& s%b


20/44

t&eir ri&t $f '$liti#al s'ee#&, t&eir ri&t $f ass$#iati$n, and s%#& $t&er ri&ts enablin t&em t$

a#t individ%all! and t$et&er in $rder t$ #&$$se t&e individ%al t&e! anted as t&e n$minee $f

t&eir 'art!"

+-2" T&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, feared t&at t&is

identifiable r$%' $f 5fri#an5meri#ans $%ld def! t&e 'art! leaders&i' and, t&eref$re, &ad t$

be e>#l%ded fr$m t&e n$minati$n 'r$#ess" T&is '$er t$ e>#l%de fl$ed fr$m t&e deleati$n $f

leislative '$er fr$m t&e eneral 5ssembl!" 5 State #ann$t av$id its #$nstit%ti$nal

res'$nsibilities b! deleatin a '%bli# f%n#ti$n t$ 'rivate 'arties" Georgia v Mc#oll&!, 7A7

."S" -, 72 (+00-)"

STANDING AND RIPENESS

+-" Plaintiffs in#$r'$rate t&e 're#edin 'arara'&s as if set f$rt& &erein"

+-7" Standin and ri'eness 'resent t&e t&res&$ld


21/44

+-1" Plaintiff=s ri&ts, as in#$r'$rated &erein, &ave t&eref$re been tram'led %'$n b!

Defendants a#ti$ns in disenfran#&isin t&em and t&$se similarl! sit%ated in vi$lati$n $f t&e 9irst

5mendment, t&e 9$%rteent& 5mendment and t&e 9ifteent& 5mendments"

+-0" Plaintiff Lambert=s ri&t t$ be a #andidate &as been f%rt&er tram'led %'$n b! t&e

Defendant=s arbitrar! and #a'ri#i$%s eff$rt t$ im'$se a r$ssl! e>#essive filin fee as t&e $nl!

means t$ et $n t&e n$minati$n ball$t"

+2A" Plaintiffs ere denied t&eir ri&t t$ n$t be &armed b! t&e dis#riminat$r! effe#t $f

t&$se a#tin %nder t&e #$l$r $f state la in vi$lati$n $f / - $f t&e 3$tin 4i&ts 5#t"

+2+" T&e damae t$ Plaintiff=s #$nstit%ti$nal ri&ts are, t&eref$re, real, and %nfi>able

sin#e t&e #$nd%#t #&allened as alread! ta;en 'la#e"

+2-" T&e in


22/44

+21" Plaintiffs li;eise meet t&e #$nstit%ti$nal re:%irements, f$r t&e! &ave s%ffered an

in


23/44

V!o7a%!on o1 P7a!n%!11s8 F!#s% Aen&en% R!*%s

+2" Plaintiffs in#$r'$rate t&e 're#edin 'arara'&s as if set f$rt& f%ll! &erein"

+" Plaintiffs= ri&t t$ 'arti#i'ate in t&e ele#ti$n 'r$#ess is 'r$te#ted b! t&e 9irst

5mendment t$ t&e ."S" C$nstit%ti$n, as in#$r'$rated b! t&e 9$%rteent& 5mendment and

enf$r#ed b! - ."S"C" / +012"

+7" T&e '$liti#al fran#&ise $f v$tin is rearded as a f%ndamental '$liti#al ri&t

be#a%se Git is 'reservative $f all ri&ts" 3ic' 0o v. Hop'ins, ++1 ."S" 276, 28A (+116)"

+6" 9en#in $%t fr$m t&e fran#&ise a se#t$r $f t&e '$'%lati$n be#a%se $f t&e a!

t&e! ma! v$te is #$nstit%ti$nall! im'ermissible" #arrington v. as*, 21A ."S" 10, 0 (+067)"

+8" Bn t&e e>er#ise $f t&is 5rti#le BB, / '$er, t&e eneral 5ssembl! m%st, at all

times, ad&ere t$ t&e #$nstit%ti$nal and $t&er leal re:%irements in federal la" 4.S. v #lassic,

2+2" ."S" -00 (+0+)"

+1" On $r ab$%t De#ember --, -A+, Defendants a#ted %nder t&e #$l$r $f state la t$

de'rive Plaintiffs $f t&eir ri&t t$ v$te, ri&t $f '$liti#al s'ee#&, and ri&t t$ ass$#iate as 'art $f

t&e '$liti#al 'r$#ess, &en t&e! ref%sed t$ all$ Plaintiffs t&e ri&t t$ v$te in t&e fire&$%se

'rimar!"

+0" T&e Defendants a#ti$ns res%lted in a vi$lati$n $f t&e Plaintiffs ri&ts %nder t&e

9irst 5mendment t$ t&e ."S" C$nstit%ti$n, and &en#e, are liable t$ Plaintiffs %nder - ." S" C"

/ +012"

WHE4E9O4E, Defendants a#ts as set f$rt& &erein entitle Plaintiffs t$ (a) s%#& a#t%al

andF$r n$minal damaes as ma! be s&$n b! t&e eviden#e, (b) a de#larat$r!


24/44


25/44


D%e Pr$#ess Cla%se $f t&e 9$%rteent& 5mendment t$ t&e ."S" C$nstit%ti$n and, &en#e, are liable

t$ Plaintiffs %nder - ." S" C" / +012"

WHE4E9O4E t&e Defendants a#ts as set f$rt& &erein entitle Plaintiffs t$ (a) s%#& a#t%al

andF$r damaes t&at ma! be s&$n b! t&e eviden#e, (b) a de#larat$r!


26/44

+6+" 5##$rdin t$Harper,a Gstate vi$lates t&e E:%al Pr$te#ti$n Cla%se $f t&e

9$%rteent& 5mendment &enever it ma;es t&e affl%en#e $f t&e v$ter $r t&e 'a!ment $f an! fee

an ele#t$ral standard"Id, at 666"

+6-" W&en s%#& a fee is %sed t$ #a%se s%#& %ne:%al treatment beteen v$ters, t&e

deree $f t&e dis#riminati$n is irrelevant" Bd, at 661"


de'rive Plaintiffs $f t&eir ri&t t$ v$te and $t&er ri&ts ass$#iated it& 'arti#i'ati$n in t&e

'$liti#al 'r$#ess &en t&e! #$nditi$ned t$ s$me e>tent t&e ri&t t$ v$te in t&e fire&$%se 'rimar!

$n t&e 'a!ment $f fee"


E:%al Pr$te#ti$n Cla%se $f t&e 9$%rteen 5mendment t$ t&e ."S" C$nstit%ti$n and, &en#e, are

liable t$ are liable t$ Plaintiffs %nder - ." S" C" / +012"

WHE4E9O4E t&e Defendants a#ts as set f$rt& &erein entitle Plaintiffs t$ (a) damaes $f

I+AAA ea#&, (b) a de#larat$r!


27/44

VIOLATIONS OF PLAINTIFFS E9UAL PROTECTION RIGHTS ; CLASSES

+67" Plaintiffs in#$r'$rate t&e 're#edin 'arara'&s as if set f$rt& &erein"

+66" T&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, #reated t&ree %ne:%al

#lasses $f v$ters in t&e 8t&H$%se Distri#t" One #lass #$nsisted $f less t&an d$?en l$#al

#$mmittee $ffi#ials in C&arles Cit! C$%nt! and Henri#$ C$%nt!" T&e se#$nd #lass #$nsisted $f

+AA $f all Dem$#rats in t&$se t$


28/44

and, (d) s%#& $t&er e:%itable relief as t&e C$%rt ma! aard in#l%din an aard $f #$sts and

att$rne!=s fees '%rs%ant t$ - ."S"C" / +011"

COUNT V

VIOLATION OF PLAINTIFFS E9UAL PROTECTION RIGHTS ; 0EIGHT

+60" Plaintiffs in#$r'$rate t&e 're#edin 'arara'&s as if t&e! ere set f$rt& &erein"

+8A" W&en a State ma;es a #lassifi#ati$n $f v$ters &i#& fav$r residents $f s$me

#$%nties $ver residents $f $t&er #$%nties, a er#ise $f t&e fran#&ise

de#laredB&s* v Gore,72+ ."S" 01, +A7 (-AAA) #itineynolds,s%'ra at 777"

+8-" On#e t&e e$ra'&i#al %nit f$r &i#& a re'resentative is t$ be #&$sen is

desinated, all &$ 'arti#i'ate in t&e ele#ti$n are t$ &ave an e:%al v$teJ&erever t&ere &$me

ma! be in t&at e$ra'&i#al %nit de#lared Gray v. Sanders, 28- ."S" 261, 280 (+062)" "

+82" T&e v$ter eliibilit! devi#e %sed b! t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minati$n

C$mmittee, %n#$ns#i$nabl! %nderei&ted t&e v$ters, m$stl! 5fri#an 5meri#an, in Henri#$

C$%nt!, ivin t&em r$%& 'arit! it& C&arles Cit! C$%nt! des'ite Henri#$ &avin #l$se t$

0AA m$re reistered v$ters" T&is is n$t 'ermitted in a 'reliminar! ele#ti$n an! m$re t&an in a

eneral ele#ti$n" Gray,s%'ra at 21A"

+8" T&e v$ter eliibilit! devi#e %sed b! t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minati$n

Pr$#ess, %n#$ns#i$nabl! ave t&e %ltimate %nderei&tin t$tal eliminati$n t$ all t&e

reistered v$ters in t&e $ne 4i#&m$nd Cit! 're#in#t"

-1


29/44


de'rive Plaintiffs $f t&eir ri&t t$ v$te and t$ &ave t&eir v$tes e:%all! #$%nted &en t&e! instead

%sed a ei&in s!stem &i#& r$ssl! %nderval%ed t&e 'r$'er #$nstit%ti$nal ei&t t$ be iven

v$ters in Henri#$ C$%nt! and #$m'letel! disenfran#&ised ever! v$ter in t&e Cit! $f 4i#&m$nd"


E:%al Pr$te#ti$n Cla%se $f t&e 9$%rteent& 5mendment t$ t&e ."S" C$nstit%ti$n and, &en#e, are

liable t$ Plaintiffs %nder - .,S"C" / +012"

WHE4E9O4E, t&e Plaintiffs a#ts as set f$rt& &erein entitle Plaintiffs t$ (a) s%#& a#t%al

andF$r n$minal damaes t&at ma! be s&$n b! t&e eviden#e, (b) a de#larat$r!


30/44

+81" T&e 9ifteent& 5mendment f$rbids a State fr$m den!in a #iti?en t&e ri&t t$ v$te

$n t&e basis $f ra#e" S!it*,s%'ra"

+80" Plaintiffs Lambert, ra! Hill and Linda Hill are 5fri#an 5meri#an"

+1A" T&e! ere am$n t&e identifiable r$%' $f 5fri#an 5meri#ans n$t members $f a

l$#al dem$#rati# #$mmittee t&at t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee,

;n$inl! desined t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! r%les t$ +AA disenfran#&ise"

+1+" T&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, feared t&is r$%' $f

5fri#an 5meri#ans, &$ ere n$t members $f a l$#al dem$#rati# 'art!, mi&t %se t&eir 9irst

5mendment ri&ts t$ s%''$rt a #andidate t&e DP35 and $t&er l$#al 'art! $ffi#ials didn=t ant t$

in t&e Dem$#rati# n$minati$n" T&eref$re t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! r%les ere intenti$nall!

desined t$ disenfran#&ise t&em all"

+1-" On $r ab$%t De#ember --, -A+, Defendants a#ted %nder t&e #$l$r $f state la t$

de'rive Plaintiffs $f t&eir ri&t n$t t$ &ave t&eir ri&t t$ v$te denied $r abrided $n a##$%nt $f

#$l$r &en t&e! ref%sed t$ all$ Plaintiffs t&e ri&t t$ v$te in t&e fire&$%se 'rimar!"


9ifteent& 5mendment t$ t&e ."S" C$nstit%ti$n and, &en#e, are liable t$ Plaintiff=s %nder -

."S"C" / +011"

WHE4E9O4E, Defendants a#ts as set f$rt& &erein entitle Plaintiffs t$ (a) s%#& a#t%al

andF$r n$minal damaes as ma! be s&$n b! t&e eviden#e, (b) a de#larat$r!


31/44

t&eir aents and s%##ess$rs, and t&$se a#tin in #$n#ert it& t&em in t&e f%t%re fr$m enain in

s%#& #$nd%#t t&at vi$lates t&e 9ifteent& 5mendment ri&ts $f v$ters, and (d) s%#& $t&er e:%itable

relief as t&e C$%rt ma! aard in#l%din an aard $f #$sts and att$rne!=s fees '%rs%ant t$ - ."S"

C" / +011"

COUNT VII

VIOLATION OF LAMBERT8S BALLOT ACCESS RIGHT ; FEE

+1" Plaintiff Lambert in#$r'$rates t&e 're#edin 'arara'&s as if set f$rt& &erein"

+17" Lambert=s ri&t t$ &ave &is name $n t&e n$minati$n ball$t is 'r$te#ted b! t&e 9irst

5mendment t$ t&e ."S" C$nstit%ti$n, as in#$r'$rated b! t&e 9$%rteent& 5mendment t$ t&e ."S"

C$nstit%ti$n and enf$r#ed b! - ."S"C" / +012""nderson v #ele$ree%e, 6A ."S" 81A (+012)"

+16" Lambert=s ri&ts ere denied b! t&e DP35, a#tin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin

C$mmittee, im'$sin an %nreas$nable, mandat$r!, n$nref%ndable I+7AA filin fee, e:%al t$

a''r$>imatel! 1"7 $f t&e $ffi#ial salar! $f t&e $ffi#e bein s$%&t, t$ ain a##ess t$ t&e

fire&$%se 'rimar! ball$t"

+18" T&e DP35=s a#ti$ns am$%nt t$ state a#ti$n a##$rdin t$B&lloc' v. #arter,A7

."S" +2, +A++ (+08-)"

+11" On $r ab$%t De#ember -A, -A+, Defendants a#ted %nder t&e #$l$r $f state la t$

de'rive Plaintiff Lambert $f &is ri&t t$ a##ess t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! ball$t &en t&e! ref%sed t$

all$ Lambert t&e ri&t t$ be a #andidate in t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! v$tin t$ ta;e 'la#e $n

De#ember --, -A+ %nless &e 'aid an %nreas$nable, mandat$r!, n$nref%ndable I+7AA filin fee"

+10" T&e Defendants a#ti$ns res%lted in a vi$lati$n $f Plaintiff Lambert=s ri&ts %nder

t&e E:%al Pr$te#ti$n Cla%se $f t&e 9$%rteent& 5mendment t$ t&e ."S" C$nstit%ti$n and, &en#e,

are liable t$ Plaintiff Lambert %nder - ."S"C" / +012

2+


32/44

WHE4E9O4E, Defendants a#ts as set f$rt& &erein entitle Plaintiff Lambert (a) s%#&

a#t%al andF$r n$minal damaes as ma! be s&$n b! t&e eviden#e, (b) a de#larat$r! imatel! 1"7 $f t&e ann%al

salar! $f t&e $ffi#e s$%&t is an %nreas$nable fee t&at vi$lated Plaintiff Lambert=s #andidate

ri&ts as %aranteed b! t&e E:%al Pr$te#ti$n Cla%se $f t&e 9$%rteent& 5mendment t$ t&e ."S"

C$nstit%ti$n, and (#) in


33/44

all$ Lambert t&e ri&t t$ be a #andidate in t&e fire&$%se &$%se 'rimar! v$tin be#a%se &e

ref%sed t$ 'a! t&eir mandat$r!, n$nref%ndable I+7AA filin fee it&$%t t&eir &avin 'r$vided an

alternate, reas$nable means f$r &im t$ et $n t&e ball$t"

+0" T&e Defendants a#ti$ns res%lted in a vi$lati$n $f Plaintiff Lambert=s ri&ts %nder

t&e E:%al Pr$te#ti$n Cla%se $f t&e 9$%rteent& 5mendment t$ t&e ."S" C$nstit%ti$n and, &en#e,

are liable t$ Plaintiff Lambert %nder - ."S"C" / +012"

+07" WHE4E9O4E, Defendants a#ts as set f$rt& &erein entitle Plaintiff Lambert t$ (a)

s%#& a#t%al andF$r n$minal damaes as ma! be s&$n b! t&e eviden#e, (b) a de#larat$r!

imatel! 1"7 $f t&e $ffi#ial

salar! $f t&e $ffi#e s$%&t in $rder t$ et $n t&e ball$t, it&$%t at t&e same time 'r$vidin a

reas$nable, alternate means t$ et $n t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! ball$t, vi$lated Plaintiff Lambert=s

#andidate ri&ts as %aranteed b! t&e E:%al Pr$te#ti$n Cla%se $f t&e 9$%rteent& 5mendment t$

t&e ."S" C$nstit%ti$n, and (#) in


34/44

+01" T&e 3$tin 4i&ts 5#t #$vers met&$ds $f n$minati$ns #$nd%#ted b! 3irinia

'$liti#al 'arties, n$t merel! t&e state r%n dire#t 'rimar!"Morse, s%'ra at -A0"

+00" 5t all times, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, ;ne t&e a

standard, 'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re #$ntained it&in t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! r%les and ad$'ted t$

$vern t&e #$nd%#t $f t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! t$ it, limitin t&e ri&t t$ v$te t$ $nl! ab$%t

d$?en members $f t&e C&arles Cit! C$mmittee and t&e Henri#$ C$%nt! C$mmittee $%ld

disenfran#&ise Plaintiffs and $t&ers similarl! sit%ated 5fri#an 5meri#an Dem$#rats residin in

t&e 8t&Distri#t"

-AA" 5t all times, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, ;ne t&e a

standard, 'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re #$ntained it&in t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! r%les and ad$'ted t$

$vern t&e #$nd%#t $f t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! t$ it, limitin t&e ri&t t$ v$te t$ $nl! ab$%t

d$?en members $f t&e C&arles Cit! C$mmittee and t&e Henri#$ C$%nt! C$mmittee $%ld &ave

a dis#riminat$r! effe#t aainst Plaintiffs and t&$se similarl! sit%ated, indeed t&is standard,

'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re been ;n$inl! desined t$ &ave t&e 'en%ltimate dis#riminat$r! effe#t,

t$talin i'in $%t t&e ri&t t$ v$te and 'arti#i'ate f$r an identifiable r$%' $f 5fri#an

5meri#ans #$nsistin $f tens $f t&$%sands $f #iti?ens &$ t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e

N$minatin C$mmittee, feared mi&t e>er#ise t&eir 9irst 5mendment '$liti#al ri&ts t$ #&$$se a

#andidate n$t fav$red b! DP35 $ffi#ials"

-A+" T&e identifiable r$%' $f e>#l%ded 5fri#an 5meri#ans t&$se &$ are #$nsidered

'%bli# Dem$#rati# Part! members and l$#al #$mmittee $ffi#ials ma;e %' $ver 00 $f all t&e

5fri#an 5meri#ans in t&e Distri#t, and $ver 00 $f all 5fri#an 5meri#a Dem$#rats in t&e 8t&

&ile t&$se l$#al #$mmittee $ffi#ials all$ed t$ v$te #$nsist $f far less t&an + $f t&e v$ters"

2


35/44

-A-" 3ieed in t&e t$talit! $f t&e #ir#%mstan#es, t&ese dis#riminat$r! standards,

'ra#ti#es $r 'r$#ed%res res%lted in a denial $r abridement $f t&e ver! e:%al $''$rt%nities f$r an

identifiable r$%' $f 5fri#an 5meri#an v$ters t$ 'arti#i'ate in t&e '$liti#al 'r$#ess in vi$lati$n $f

Se#ti$n -"

-A2" On $r ab$%t De#ember --, -A+, Defendants a#ted %nder t&e #$l$r $f state la t$

de'rive Plaintiffs $f t&eir ri&t t$ v$te and t$ be free fr$m dis#riminati$n &en 'arti#i'atin in

t&e '$liti#al 'r$#ess b! t&eir %sin a standard, 'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re in #$nne#ti$n it& t&e

fire&$%se 'rimar! v$tin t&at $%ld disenfran#&ise Plaintiffs and $t&erise s%b


36/44

COUNT OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT ; 0EIGHT

-A7" Plaintiffs in#$r'$rate t&e 're#edin 'arara'&s as if set f$rt& &erein"

-A6" DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, fi>ed t&e re'resentati$n

beteen eliible v$ters in t&e t&ree 8t&Distri#t er#isin t&eir 9irst 5mendment '$liti#al

ri&ts t$ n$minate t&e #andidate $f t&eir #&$i#e"

-A0" 3ieed in t&e t$talit! $f t&e #ir#%mstan#es, enf$r#ement $f s%#& a standard,

'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re t&r$%& t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! r%les res%lted in a denial $r abridement $f

e:%al $''$rt%nities f$r t&is identifiable r$%' $f 5fri#an 5meri#an v$ters t$ 'arti#i'ate in t&e

'$liti#al 'r$#ess in vi$lati$n $f Se#ti$n - $f t&e 3$tin 4i&ts 5#t"

-+A" On $r ab$%t De#ember --, -A+, Defendants a#ted %nder t&e #$l$r $f state la t$

de'rive Plaintiffs $f t&eir ri&t t$ v$te and t$ be free fr$m dis#riminati$n &en 'arti#i'atin in

26


37/44

t&e '$liti#al 'r$#ess b! t&eir %sin a standard, 'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re in #$nne#ti$n it& t&e

fire&$%se 'rimar! v$tin t&at $%ld disenfran#&ise Plaintiffs and $t&erise s%b


38/44

-+2" T&ere are r$%&l! ++ reistered v$ters in 4i#&m$nd=s 2A+ 're#in#t" Bt is 'art

$f t&e 8t&Distri#t" T&e! are $ver&elminl! Dem$#rati# and #$nsidered members $f t&e 'art!

b! t&e Part! Plan"

-+" Plaintiff Linda Hill lives in t&e 8t&H$%se Distri#t"

-+7" 5t all times, t&e DP35, $'eratin t&r$%& t&e N$minatin C$mmittee, ;ne, $r

;n$inl! a##e'ted t&e '$ssibilit!, t&at a standard, 'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re #$ntained in t&e

fire&$%se 'rimar! r%les disenfran#&ised eve#/ s!n7e one$f t&ese v$ters fr$m 'arti#i'atin in t&e

n$minati$n 'r$#ess"

-+6" Plaintiff Hill and &er fell$ #iti?ens in t&e 8

t&

Distri#t &ave t&eref$re s%ffered t&e

'en%ltimate v$ter dil%ti$n, t&e 'en%ltimate retr$ressi$n and t&e 'en%ltimate dis#riminat$r!

effe#t" T&eir ri&t t$ v$te &as been intenti$nall! i'ed $%t"

-+8" 3ieed in t&e t$talit! $f t&e #ir#%mstan#es, enf$r#ement $f s%#& a standard,

'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re, t&r$%& t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! r%les res%lted in a denial $r abridement $f

e:%al $''$rt%nities f$r t&is identifiable r$%' $f 5fri#an 5meri#an v$ters t$ 'arti#i'ate in t&e

'$liti#al 'r$#ess in vi$lati$n $f Se#ti$n - $f t&e 3$tin 4i&ts 5#t"

-+1" T&is is 're#isel! t&e t!'e $f standard, 'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re %sed in a n$minati$n

'r$#ess and leadin t$ t&e %ltimate dis#riminati$n aainst a 'r$te#ted r$%'=s ri&t t$ v$te

intended t$ be 'revented b! t&e 3$tin 4i&ts 5#t"

-+0" On $r ab$%t De#ember --, -A+, Defendants a#ted %nder t&e #$l$r $f state la t$

de'rive Plaintiff Hill &er ri&t t$ v$te and t$ be free fr$m dis#riminati$n &en 'arti#i'atin in

t&e '$liti#al 'r$#ess b! t&eir intenti$nall! %sin a standard, 'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re in #$nne#ti$n

it& fire&$%se 'rimar! v$tin t&at $%ld disenfran#&ise Plaintiff Hill, al$n it& ever! $t&er

v$ter in 4i#&m$nd, and $t&erise s%b


39/44

s%#& dis#riminati$n" Defendants intenti$nall! %sed said standard, 'ra#ti#e $r 'r$#ed%re t$ den!

t&ese 'r$te#ted v$ters t&eir ri&t t$ v$te in t&e fire&$%se 'rimar! v$tin 'r$#ess even t&$%&

Defendants ;ne t&at s%#& disenfran#&isement and #$nse:%ential dis#riminati$n $%ld res%lt"

--A" T&e Defendants a#ti$ns res%lted in a vi$lati$n $f Plaintiff Hill=s ri&ts se#%red b!

/ - $f t&e 3$tin 4i&ts 5#t, and, &en#e, are liable t$ Plaintiffs %nder - ."S"C" / +012"

WHE4E9O4E, Defendants= a#ts as set f$rt& &erein entitle Plaintiffs t$ (a) s%#& a#t%al

andF$r n$minati$n damaes t&at ma! be s&$n b! t&e eviden#e, (b) a de#larat$r!


40/44

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs 'ra! t&at t&is C$%rt &ear t&is a#ti$n '%rs%ant t$ - ."S"C"

// +082, et seq.and +012 and t&at t&e C$%rt 'r$vide t&e f$ll$in relief*

(5)5s t$ C$%nt B, a De#larat$r!


41/44


42/44

e:%al t$ 1"7 it&$%t 'r$vidin a reas$nable, alternate means t$ et $n t&e n$minati$n

ball$t"

(B) 5s t$ C$%nt BQ, a De#larat$r!


43/44

$f t&e 3$tin 4i&ts 5#t and, in additi$n, in'ended, in#l%din reas$nable att$rne!=s fees '%rs%ant

t$ - ."S"C" / +011 and - ."S"C" / +082l(e)"

Plaintiffs &ereb! re:%est a &earin $n t&is matter"

2


44/44

D53BD L5ME4T, 54K HBLL, LBND5 HBLL

!* RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

C$%nsel

@" Pa%l re$ri$, Es:%ire (3S201-0)BNNS4OO L5W 4O.P, P"C"P"O" $> +8Alen 5llen, 3irinia -2A701A0272A061A0272A0+ fa>"ttorney for laintiffs

74th district lawsuit

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