25 - Intervenor Complaint
25 - Intervenor Complaint
25 - Intervenor Complaint
and
Intervenor-Plaintiffs,
v.
Defendants.
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COMPLAINT IN INTERVENTION
INTRODUCTION
candidates whose names were to have appeared on the New York State Presidential Primary
ballot as supporters of Bernie Sanders seek to address the issues raised in the Second Amended
Compliant filed by Presidential candidate Andrew Yang and several of his delegate candidates,
and raise additional issues arising out of the cancellation of the June 23, 2020 Presidential
Case 1:20-cv-03325-AT Document 25 Filed 05/01/20 Page 2 of 16
Primary by Defendants Douglas Kellner and Andrew Spano, who are the Democratic Party-
affiliated Commissioners on the New York State Board of Elections. Defendants Kellner and
Spano took their action pursuant to authority granted to them in a provision in New York State’s
legislation enacted on April 3, 2020 was unconstitutional on its face, both under the Federal and
the State Constitutions. Second they contend that, even if it was constitutional, it was applied to
Bernie Sanders and the delegates pledged to him in a manner which violated those delegates
First and 14th Amendment Constitutional rights, their NY State Constitutional Right to free
speech, and the right of voters to free speech as should have been expressionable in the now-
cancelled primary election. Finally, the Intervenor-Plaintiffs assert that even if Defendants
Kellner and Spano did not act in violation of the Constitution, they acted arbitrarily and
capriciously.
PARTIES
NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY Presidential Primary
ballot by the NY State and NYC Boards of Elections as a Democratic National Convention
(CD9) after filing the number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD9 with the NYC
Board of Elections. He has not declined that candidacy. He is also, at all times, qualified to vote
in the Democratic Presidential Primary which had been scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020.
He is also an elected member of the Kings County Democratic Committee from the 52 Assembly
District (AD).
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Washington County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY
Convention Delegate candidate pledged to Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders in CD21 after
Washington County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY
Convention Delegate candidate pledged to Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders in CD21 after
filing the number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD21 with the NYS Board of
Elections. He is also, at all times, qualified to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary which
had been scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020.He has not declined that candidacy. He is also
an elected member of the NY State Democratic Committee from the 103rd AD.
KIngs County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY
Presidential Primary ballot by the NY State and NYC Boards of Elections as a Democratic
CD7 after filing the number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD7 with the NYC
Board of Elections. She is also, at all times, qualified to vote in the Democratic Presidential
Primary which had been scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020. She has not declined that
candidacy. She is also member of the Kings County Democratic Committee from the 51st
Tompkins County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY
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Convention Delegate candidate pledged to Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders in CD23 after
filing the number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD23 with the NYS Board of
Elections. She is also, at all times, qualified to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary
which had been scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020. He has not declined that candidacy. She
is also an elected member of the NY State Democratic Committee from the 125th AD.
York County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY
Presidential Primary ballot by the NY State and NYC Boards of Elections as a Democratic
CD10 after filing the number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD10 with the NYC
Board of Elections. He is also, at all times, qualified to vote in the Democratic Presidential
Primary which had been scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020. He has not declined that
candidacy.
Washington County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY
Convention Delegate candidate pledged to Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders in CD3 after
filing the number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD3 with the NYS Board of
Elections. He is also, at all times, qualified to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary which
had been scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020. She has not declined that candidacy. She is
also an elected member of the Nassau County Democratic Committee from the 13th AD.
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Suffolk County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY
Presidential Primary ballot by the NY State and Suffolk County Boards of Elections as a
Sanders in CD1 after filing the number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD1 with
the Suffolk County Boards of Elections. He is also, at all times, qualified to vote in the
Democratic Presidential Primary which had been scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020. She has
not declined that candidacy. She is also an elected member of the Suffolk County Democratic
Queens County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY
Convention Delegate candidate pledged to Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders in CD3 after
filing the number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD3 with the NYS Board of
Elections. He is also, at all times, qualified to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary which
had been scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020. He has not declined that candidacy.
County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY Presidential
Delegate candidate pledged to Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders in CD19 after filing the
number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD19 with the NYS Board of Elections.
She is also, at all times, qualified to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary which had been
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scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020. She has not declined that candidacy. She is also an
Tioga County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY
Convention Delegate candidate pledged to Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders in CD23 after
filing the number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD23 with the NYS Board of
Elections. He is also, at all times, qualified to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary which
had been scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020. He has not declined that candidacy. He is also
an elected member of the Tioga County Democratic Committee and the elected Chair of the
Queens County, NY, and who as of February 6, 2020 qualified for and was placed on the NY
Presidential Primary ballot by the NY State and NYC Boards of Elections as a Democratic
CD5 after filing the number of signatures of Democratic Party enrollees in CD5 with the NYC
Board of Elections. She is also, at all times, qualified to vote in the Democratic Presidential
Primary which had been scheduled to be held on June 23, 2020. She has not declined that
candidacy.
and Co-Chair of the New York State Board of Elections. He has held that position since 2005. He
is a resident of New York County. The New York State Board of Elections implements state-wide
regulations and defines the state's election policies, and certifies candidacies of candidates whose
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districts cover one or more county. This can include statewide candidacies, such as a candidacy
for Presidential nominee of a party, and delegates to the Democratic National Convention whose
the New York State Board of Elections, having been appointed to that position by Governor
18. This Court has federal question jurisdiction of the original action and of
19. Declaratory relief in both actions is available pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201 and
§ 2202.
20. The Court has ancillary jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s and Intervenor-Plaintiff’s state
21. Venue is proper in this district for both actions pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391, as
certain of the Plaintiffs live in this district and the acts and transactions that give rise to this
22. Venue is also proper in this district in both actions under 28 USC Section 1391,
because Defendants transact business in this District and the wrongful acts alleged herein had
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23. This Complaint in Intervention is submitted only pursuant to order of this Court, if
the Court grants the Motion for Intervention under FED. R. CIV. P. 24 filed by Intervenor-
24. This Complaint incorporates the Second Amended Complaint of Plaintiffs Andrew
Yang herein in its entirety to the extent any of the allegations there are relevant to Intervenor-
they have been, and continue to be, adversely affected by the Defendants’ order canceling the
26. The claims presented by the Complaint in Intervention are ripe for adjudication
because Intervenor-Plaintiffs are presently, gravely adversely affected by the Defendants’ actions
27. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants at least because, on
information and belief, these Defendants respectively in their official capacities have ongoing
and systematic contacts with this District, have and maintain offices in this District, and have
committed wrongful acts which both occurred within this District, and which have had an impact
RIGHT TO INTERVENE
28. Plaintiff repeats and realleges the allegations of all of the preceding paragraphs as
Yang et al. v. New York Board of Elections, filed by the Plaintiffs therein on or about , pursuant
to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24(a)(2), on the grounds that Intervenor-Plaintiffs “claim[] an
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interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action, and is so situated
that disposing of the action may as a practical matter impair or impede the movant’s ability to
protect its interest”, namely, a claim that they were wrongfully removed from the ballot as
represent [their] interest[s],” on the grounds that: Intervenor-Plaintiffs and their counsel bring
knowledge and experience to this matter which may usefully supplement that of existing
Plaintiffs and counsel; Intervenor-Plaintiffs’ status, strategy, and potential influence within the
Democratic Party and at the Democratic Convention differs from that of the existing Plaintiffs
because the candidate they supported, Bernie Sanders, received more votes in prior primaries
than Plaintiff Andrew Yang, had more delegates and influence within the Party than him, had a
different strategy generally in the Presidential election process, and that the underlying facts
under which Bernie Sanders allegedly “withdrew” from or “suspended” his Presidential
campaign differ significantly from the circumstances under which Plaintiff Andrew Yang
allegedly did.
FRCP 24(b)(1) on the grounds that they have a “claim ... that shares with the main action a
common question of law or fact,” again, that they were wrongfully removed from the ballot as
32. Intervenor-Plaintiffs hereby incorporates the allegations and legal bases for
intervention set forth in its Motion for Intervention herein by reference in their entirety in
support of its right to file and serve this Complaint upon the Defendants.
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THE FACTS
foregoing paragraphs.
34. The New York State Democratic Presidential Primary was originally scheduled for
Bernie Sanders in the Primary Election, by obtaining signatures on Designating Petitions from
36. The Democratic Party delegate selection rules provide that Delegates whose
candidate received 15% or more of the vote in a Congressional District will attend the
Democratic Party National Convention, presently scheduled for August 17-20 in Milwaukee (the
“Convention”).
37. Delegates at the Convention assist in shaping the Democratic Party’s rules and
platform and participate in nominating the Party’s candidate for President of the United States.
38. One of the significant ways in which Intervenor-Plaintiffs differ from the existing
Plaintiffs in interest is that the candidate they support, Bernie Sanders, has obtained 15% or more
of the vote in many more Congressional districts so far than Plaintiff Andrew Yang, and therefore
Intervenor-Plaintiffs have a greater expectation and interest in attending the Convention than
Plaintiffs.
39. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the April 28 Presidential Primary was
rescheduled by Executive Order of the New York State Governor, Andrew Cuomo, to take place
on the same date as a previously scheduled New York State election for federal and state offices,
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40. Under another Executive Order, 202.15, Governor Cuomo also provided that all
New York State voters could choose to vote by mail, so as not to expose themselves at the polls
to COVID-19 infection.
Governor Cuomo on April 13, 2020, it was provided that: “Notwithstanding any inconsistent
provision of law to the contrary, prior to forty-five days before the actual date of a presidential
primary election, if a candidate for office of the president of the United States who is otherwise
eligible to appear on the presidential primary ballot to provide for the election of delegates to a
national party convention or a national party conference in any presidential election year,
publicly announces that they are no longer seeking the nomination for the office of president of
the United States, or if the candidate publicly announces that they are terminating or suspending
their campaign, or if the candidate sends a letter to the state board of elections indicating they no
longer wish to appear on the ballot, the state board of elections may determine by such date that
the candidate is no longer eligible and omit said candidate from the ballot; provided, however,
that for any candidate of a major political party, such determination shall be solely made by the
commissioners of the state board of elections who have been appointed on the recommendation
of such political party or the legislative leaders of such political party, and no other
42. On April 27, 2020, Malcolm Seymour of the Foster Garvey law firm, as counsel
for the Bernie Sanders campaign, wrote to the New York State Board of Elections: “Senator
Sanders has duly qualified for placement on the Primary ballot as a candidate for the Democratic
nomination to the office of President of the United States. To get him on the ballot, the
Campaign mobilized a vast network of volunteer circulators across New York’s 27 congressional
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districts, gathering nearly 60,000 signatures for Senator Sanders and his 184 authorized pledged
delegates..... On April 8, 2020, Senator Sanders announced the limited suspension of his
primaries, gather delegates, and attend the Democratic National Convention, with an eye to
influencing the party’s platform. Unlike most of the other major candidates who have conceded
in this year’s Democratic primary, Senator Sanders has not officially terminated his candidacy
43. Attorney Seymour ended his April 27, 2020 letter with the following request on
behalf of Candidate Bernie Sanders “that the Board either: (1) determine as a matter of law that
§ 2-122-A does not apply to announcements of campaign suspension made prior to April 13,
2020, the date of the law’s enactment; or (2) exercise its discretion to keep Senator Sanders on
44. On or about April 27, 2020, the New York State Board of Elections, acting by
Defendants Kellner and Spano, announced it was canceling the Presidential Primary.
45. Defendant Kellner, revealing the full extent of his partisanship and capriciousness,
stated to the New York Times: “What the Sanders campaign wanted is essentially a beauty
contest that, given the situation with the public health emergency, seems to be unnecessary and,
indeed, frivolous.”
46. Candidate Bernie Sanders stated, via senior campaign advisor Jeff Weaver:
“Today’s decision by the State of New York Board of Elections is an outrage, a blow to
American democracy ... Just last week Vice President Biden warned the American people that
President Trump could use the current crisis as an excuse to postpone the November election.
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47. Regarding the relief requested, Intervenor-Plaintiffs note that the Defendants have
already argued by letter to this Court that it is too late for them to implement any remedy
ordered, because the ballots have already been certified for the June 23 election. Aside from the
obvious fact that the Defendants themselves managed the timing so that the Plaintiffs and
Intervenor-Plaintiffs would face an uphill battle redressing the grievous wrongs done them,
Intervenor-Plaintiffs ask this Court to note that, just as the Presidential Primary, originally
scheduled in April, was at discretion rescheduled to coincide with a June 23 election, this Court
has discretion to direct that the Presidential Primary take place on some other date later in June
or during July. There is no requirement in law that the Presidential Primary be conducted on
June 23, so long as it takes place an adequate amount of time prior to the Democratic Convention
on August 17.
48. To protect the voters against COVID-19, this Court also has discretion under
Executive Order 202-15 to order that the Presidential Primary take place entirely by mail-in vote.
COUNT I
(42 U.S.C. § 1983: Due Process/Equal Protection; New York State Constitution)
foregoing paragraphs.
50. Defendants violated Intervenor-Plaintiffs’ Due Process and Equal Protection rights
in the ways described herein, including but not limited to the following: By removing them
arbitrarily, capriciously, and illegally from the ballot for the Presidential Primary; by removing
all candidates other than Joe Biden arbitrarily, capriciously and illegally from the said ballot; also
by interfering with Intervenor-Plaintiff’s rights as voters to vote for the properly qualified
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51. As a result of the acts and omissions complained of herein, Plaintiffs suffered the
COUNT II
(42 U.S.C. § 1983: First Amendment; New York State Constitution)
52. Plaintiffs hereby repeat, re-allege, and incorporate by reference all foregoing
paragraphs.
53. Under the First Amendment, laws which burden rights of access to the ballot must
54. That is, the state must advance compelling, precise interest to justify denial of
access to the ballot, and the mechanism to forward that interest must be narrowly tailored to that
interest, and further must be the least restrictive alternative available to serve that same interest.
55. Defendants’ acts and omissions as detailed herein fail to meet that standard in
ways including, but not limited to the following: Defendants have failed to use the least
restrictive alternative to forward the interests represented by their alleged, declared interest to
protect voters against COVID-19, in that Executive Order 202.15 had already more narrowly
protected voters by providing for voting by mail. Also, Defendant’s statements that candidate
Sanders’ interest in appearing on the ballot was a mere “beauty contest” are astonishing,
offensive, partisan, inappropriate, and highly revealing of illegal viewpoint discrimination and
the Democratic commissioner’s elevation of the interests of Candidate Biden over that of
ballot was therefore not narrowly tailored to any applicable state interest.
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57. In addition to procedural defects, upon information and belief and as described
above, Defendants’ actions impose more stringent application of the Election Law based upon
59. As a result of the acts and omissions complained of herein, Plaintiffs suffered the
COUNT III
(Constitutionality as applied--New York State Election Law Section 122-A(13))
60. Plaintiffs hereby repeat, re-allege, and incorporate by reference all foregoing
paragraphs.
Intervenor-Plaintiffs from the ballot, including without limitation the following: it could not be
applied ex post facto to Delegate candidates who had already fulfilled all of the Election Law’s
COUNT IV
(Facial Constitutionality—New York State Election Law Section 122-A(13))
62. Plaintiffs hereby repeat, re-allege, and incorporate by reference all foregoing
paragraphs.
narrowly tailored to a compelling or even a significant government interest, nor provides the
least restrictive alternative, for the putative goal of protecting the electorate against COVID-19.
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(b) An order directing Defendants to reinstate the Presidential Primary, and restoring
Intervenor-Plaintiffs to the ballot, on a date in June or July to be selected by this Court, and
further directing that to protect voters from COVID-19, that all voting take place by mail-in
ballot;
(d) Such other and further relief as law or equity may provide.
By: /s/
Arthur Z. Schwartz (AS2683)
225 Broadway, Suite 1902
New York, New York 10007
(212) 285-1400
[email protected]
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