Miller v. Lieutenant Governor Craig Campbell et al

Filing 16

ORDER Regarding Motion for Preliminary Injunction. (Jan, Chambers Staff)

Download PDF
Miller v. Lieutenant Governor Craig Campbell et al Doc. 16 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF ALASKA JOE MILLER, Plaintiff, vs. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CRAIG CAMPBELL, in his official capacity; and the STATE OF ALASKA, DIVISION OF ELECTIONS, Defendants. ORDER REGARDING MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION Case No. 3:10-cv-0252-RRB On Tuesday, Joe November 9, a 2010, shortly after 5:00 p.m., and Plaintiff Miller filed Complaint for Injunctive Declaratory Relief and a Motion for Preliminary Injunction at Dockets 1 and 13. At Docket 13, Plaintiff seeks briefing, oral argument, and a decision on his Motion for Preliminary Injunction on extremely shortened time. In response, at Docket 15, the Attorney General has filed a pleading that succinctly sums up this Court's evaluation of the case at this juncture. The Court agrees that an 18-hour window to ORDER RE MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION - 1 3:10-CV-0252-RRB Dockets.Justia.com respond to a 37-page motion is patently unfair and that no exigent circumstances warrant such a briefing schedule. Based on Exhibit A attached to the Complaint, the contested process for counting write-in votes in the Alaska U.S. Senate Race calls for segregating those ballots which reflect write-in votes for Lisa Murkowski where the name is spelled correctly and are not challenged, from ballots where the name written appears to be a variation or misspelling ballots will of "Murkowski." segregated Given and that subject the to questionable remain subsequent review, with the results recorded separately, the Court finds no good reason to enjoin counting the ballots while the underlying Complaint is addressed in due course. Plaintiff has shown no potential for irreparable harm by allowing the Division of Elections to proceed with its hand-count as scheduled. Plaintiff's request for relief in this regard is therefore DENIED. However, the Court finds it is prudent to consider this matter as quickly as possible. Therefore, the parties shall file briefing as follows: 1. Defendants' Response in Opposition to the Motion for Preliminary Injunction shall be filed no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 15, 2010. 2. Plaintiff's Reply shall be filed no later than 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2010. ORDER RE MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION - 2 3:10-CV-0252-RRB 3. The parties shall address the significant jurisdictional issue raised by this matter in their briefing. Whether or not a hearing will be required will be determined upon review of the pleadings. IT IS SO ORDERED. ENTERED this 10th day of November, 2010. S/RALPH R. BEISTLINE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE ORDER RE MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION - 3 3:10-CV-0252-RRB

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?