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Jeffrey A. Lake, Esq. (State Bar No. 159234) SUI’Emé': cl? SITE pFOFWIA v .—
Kenneth
THEODORA
2029 Century
E. Johnson,
ORINGH
Park
Es
East,
.(State
ZR MILLER
Sixth
Bar No.
Floor
&
115814)
RICHMAN PC
CO“ V 0
MAR
AN
2 5
A
2003
BARA
CA
FIN
_
”—’
Los Angeles. Califomia 90067-2907 GAR awn, Executive omcev
Telephone: (310) 557-2009 BY .
— J ____
Faesrmile: (310) 551-0283 MarileeA Jay. 0 cm
“TY
Stanley H. Green, [is . (State Bar No. 41851) [m- '—
STANLEY H. ORE-1E A LAW CORPORATION _
__
OOOONO‘UIJkWN—
468 N. Camden Drive, Second Floor GUI:
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
ST
Telephone: (310) 285-1753
Facsrmile (310) 285-1752
Attorneys for Contestant STEVEN PAPPAS
PC SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA
RICI/MAN
&
STEVEN PAPPAS, an individual. Case No. 1304851
MILLER
Contestant, [Assigned for All Purposes to the
vs.
Honorable]. William MeLatTerty,
ORINGHER
Department 5]
DOREEN FARR, an individual,
CONTESTANT‘S OBJECTIONS T0
Defendant. [PROPOSED] FINDINGS OF FACT
THEODORA
NNNNNNH—H—HH——~—
AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
Contestant Steven Pappas hereby submits his Objections to the [Proposed] Findings
of Fact and Conclusions of Law, submitted by Defendant on or about March 20, 2009.
As a preliminary matter. Contestant submits that the form ofthe decision entered by
the Court should be limited to the issue raised by the motion for nonsuit; specifically, the »
Court's decision that Contestant does not have a private right of action to challenge the
election results based upon alleged errors in compliance with the requirements of HAVA,
as implemented
'
Section
by
~
2 C.C.R.
20108(a)
§§
states:
20108
"The
c! seq.’
purpose
Defendant‘s
ofthis chapter
proposed findings
is to establish
of fact
standards
and
and
.
(footnote continued)
7433M ”2199205002 l
CONTESTANT'S OBJECT/0N5 TO PROPOSED FIND/NOS ‘
00424
conclusions of law improperly attempt to address issues going well beyond the scope of
I9 the Court's ruling. They also improperly request findings of fact on issues not relevant to
the issue decided by the Court, or which are not supported by the evidence, or both.
Contestant's objections to specific findings of fact and conclusions of law are stated
below:
OOOONQUIAL.)
Objection No. 1: Finding No. 12 (page 4, lines 23-27)
The proposed finding is incomplete, because itdoes not describe the Court's ruling
on the submitted legal issues. The following two sentences should be added at the
conclusion ofthe paragraph (page 4. line 27):
PC ”The Court ruled that Contestant Pappas did not have a private right of action under
HAVA. accepting the argument made by Defendant Farr at pages 18-20 of Defendant's
R/Cmmx
'Renewed Motion to Dismiss and Brief on HAVA lssues.‘ The Court did not rule on the
&
other issues argued in Defendant's Brief."
MILLER
Objection No.2: Finding No. 13 (page 5, lines 1-12)
The first sentence accurately states that the Court granted Defendant's motion for
ORINGHER
non-suit. The second and third sentences should be stricken, because they improperly
attempt to add grounds beyond those which were identified by the Court as the basis for
TI/EODORA
granting the motion.
NNNNNNNNN—n—.—_—.—..—_—_
"l'l‘lhe motion for nonsuit must state the precise grounds upon which it is made . .
."
Timmsen v. Forest
O°\la\m¢-WNHO\O®\IONM&WN—
E. Olson. Inc. (1970) 6 Cal. App. 3d 860, 868. "[O]nly the grounds
specified [by counsel] should be considered by the lower court in its ruling, . . Id. See
also Lora! Corp. v. Maya: (1985) I74 Cal. App. 3d 268, 272 (“The grounds for the nonsuit
motion should be clearly specified to give the plaintiff the opportunity to cure any
defects")
procedures for processing. transmitting, and maintaining voter registration records in a
manner that conforms with the statewide voter registration list requirements set forth in the
Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA)." (citations omitted)
74333|llf2|992l05002
2
CONTESTANT‘S OBJECT/CNS T0 PROPOSED FINDINGS
00425
Here, the Court considered argument on March 16. 2009, in connection with issues
relating to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, 42 U.S.C. § 15301 et seq. ("HAVA"). The
Court concluded that Contestant did not have a private right of action to challenge the
election results on the basis of HAVA. The Court did not rule upon any ofthe other issues
argued by the parties at the March 16. 2009, hearing. Defendant did not assert any
grounds
OOWQOMJBWN
for her nonsuit motion, other than the Court‘s ruling that Contestant lacked a
private right ofaction under HAVA.
Based upon the foregoing, Contestant submits that proposed Finding No. l3 should
be stricken. and replaced with the following:
PC “13. Upon the resting of Contestant's case, the Court granted a motion for non-suit
in favor of Defendant Farr. As more fully set forth in the Conclusions of Law below, the
RICHMAN
N
.— Court concluded that Contestant Pappas did not have a private right of action to challenge
&
w the election results based upon alleged errors in compliance with the requirements of
MILLER
:4:-
HAVA. as implemented by 2 C.C.R. §§ 20108 et seq."
Objection No. 3: Finding No. 15 (page 5:lines 16—24)
ORINGMER
0\ The disparaging comments made concerning the questioning of these witnesses
\I should be eliminated. including the reference to "repetitive" testimony (page 5, line I6)
THEODORA
00 and to "redundant and extended examination by counsel for contestant." (Page 5, line 24.)
35 Objection No. 4: Finding 16 (page 5 line 25 to page 6 line 13)
NO In ruling on a motion for nonsuit, the Court must "disregard” conflicting evidence
N and givle] to plaintiff‘s evidence all the value to which it is legally entitled, herein
NN indulging in every legitimate inference which may be drawn from that evidence." Estate
N La) of Lances (l932) 2l6 Cal. 397. 400-0l; see also Loral Corp. v. Mayes (1985) l74 Cal.
NA App. 3d 268, 272 ("The evidence most favorable to the plaintiff must be accepted as true
N K11
unless itis inherently incredible")
N Ch The fifth sentence, stating that the Court has made "no determination on the
N \1 accuracy or reliability" of Ms. Baxter's testimony or the information contained in the
N 00 exhibits which she described in her testimony should be stricken in its entirety. (Page 6,
7433M IRIWZ 05002 3
CONTESTANT’S OBJECT/0N8 T0 PROPOSED FINDINGS ,,
00426
t.
lines 9-] l.) The Coun should accept Ms. Baxter‘s testimony as true for purposes of ruling
on the nonsuit motion.
The sixth sentence, stating that "all objections to the accuracy and content of the
exhibits prepared by Ms. Baxter were reserved," is factually incorrect. All of these
exhibits were received into evidence, with Defendant reserving objections only to the title
OOWQOxUIJEWN—
ofeertain exhibits. The sixth sentence should be stricken because it is not supported by the
record. (Page 6, lines Il-l3.)
In addition, Ms. Baxter should be identified as the "former campaign coordinator."
rather than "former campaign manager" as erroneously stated at Page 5, line 25.
PC Objection No. 5: Finding No. 17 (Page 6, lines 14-27)
The first sentence, at Page 6, lines 14-15, should be stricken, because the evidence
RIC/[MAN
of "registration and voter fraud" was not confined to the testimony of this witness. In
at
addition, this issue is not relevant to the issue of whether HAVA creates a private right of
MILLER
action. which was the only stated basis for the nonsuit motion.
Objection No. 6: Finding No. 18 (Page 7 line I to Page 8, line 3)
ORI.\'GHER
This finding should be stricken in its entirety, because it impennissibly asks the
Court to conclude that the testimony of the witness "is simply mistaken or otherwise
false."
THEODORA
There
NNNNNNMNNv—_——o—nn—————n
is no basis for this conclusion. The witness inspected the original
registration card as well as a photocopy. and testified credibly that neither the signature nor
OONOUIAWN—‘OOOOQONUIJEWM-
the handwriting on the card was made by her. Her testimony was clear and direct. She
had no reason to lie. For purposes of this motion for nonsuit. the Court should accept her
testimony as credible.
Objection No. 7: Finding Nos. 20 to 41 (Page 8 line 12 to Page 17. line 2)
Because the Court ruled that Contestant Pappas did not have a private right of
action under HAVA. the proposed findings with respect to "County Registration and
Election Procedures" are inappropriate and should be stricken in their entirety. There are
two reasons for this request:
First. the proposed Findings are not relevant to the stated basis for the Court's
7433M l/2l992 05002
4
CONTESTANT'S OBJECT/0N5 T0 PROPOSED F IND/NOS
0042'?
decision. The Court held that Contestant lacks standing to raise any issue concerning these
procedures. The request for detailed factual findings on these issues is inconsistent with the
Court's stated reason for its decision.
Second, Contestant rested its case immediately upon receiving the Court's ruling
that Contestant lacked standing to raise the HAVA issues. Had the Court not issued this
ruling.
OOOOQO‘V‘ADJN
Contestant would have called additional witnesses, and offered additional evidence,
on the subjects addressed in Proposed Findings Nos. 20 to 4]. It is inconsistent for
Defendant to move for nonsuit on the basis that Contestant lacks standing to raise these
issues, only to then ask the Court to issue detailed factual findings on these issues. If the
PC Court believes it appropriate to enter detailed findings on these issues, Contestant will
request an opportunity to reopen the record and present additional evidence.
RIC/[MAN
Objection No. 8: Finding No. 29 (Page I] line 19 to page 12 line 14)
&
Assuming argucndo that the Court overrulcs Objection No. 7, Contestant objects to
MILLER
the all but the first sentence of this proposed Finding on the ground that it does not
accurately reflect the evidence. Instead, it reflects the argument of counsel, as well as a
URINGIIL‘R
great deal of speculation as to why a "suggested" driver's license may be returned for a
particular registrant.
THEODOR/I
NNNNNNNNN——-—-————-—-—-—-
The language proposed by Defendant's counsel should be stricken, and replaced
with the following:
OOQOWAWN—OOOONONLI‘éwN—
“29. A 'Y--EXACT' match may itself occur in one of two circumstances. lhe first
occurs when there is an exact match between the name, DOB, and driver's license number
(or other identification number) submitted for the registrant in the D]- file and the
corresponding identification information associated with the registrant's name in the DMV
database. The second occurs when there is not an exact match. but where the information
is sufficiently close to produce a suggested exact California Driver's License (CDL) match
for the registrant, which is provided in the CL file (field 14) that is returned by the
California Secretary of State (SOS). The DI. file corresponds to the CL file."
74333|.lf2|992.05002
5
CONTESTA NT‘S OBJECT/0N8 70 PROPOSED FINDINGS
004 28 ~
_.
Objection No. 9: Finding No. 3] (Page 13 lines 3 to 17)
Assuming arguendo that the Court overrules Objection No. 7, Contestant objects to
this proposed Finding on the ground that it does not accurately reflect the evidence.
The proposed finding asserts that registrants returned from Calvalidator as a "NO
MATCH" are flagged as first time federal voters by the County EIMS, and required to
provide
OOOOVO‘UIADJN
acceptable identification at the time they vote, or vote by provisional ballot ifthey
fail to do so. In fact. the evidence provides examples where this was not done, By way of
example. the evidence shows that a Mr. Andrew Kalandjian registered on October I4.
2008, as a first time voter in Santa Barbara County. He is listed as a "NO MATCH" on the
PC CL report and was also flagged on the Calvalidator Failed Records Report as "ID Not
Verified. contract registrant." (Exhibits 1, l 17.) However he was not flagged at the poll
RICIIJIAN
where he voted to show identification and did not provide identification at the time of
&
registration. (Exhibit 3 at p. 5654.)
MILLER
The language proposed by Defendant's counsel should be stricken, and replaced
with the following:
0Rl.\'GH£R
"3]. Of the newly registered voters in the 18 precincts at issue. only 367 were
flagged as '1D Required,‘ so that polling place workers would know to ask the voter to
TIIEODOR/l
show identification
NNNNNNNNN————————-——-
when casting a vote. (Exhibit 103.) However, there were at least
l,4l0 others who registered by 'original affidavit' during the September 26 to October 20,
2008, time period.
OONO‘MAWN—OOOONO‘LI-w—
whose names appear on the 'Calvalidator Failed Report,‘ but who were
not flagged to show identification and who voted in the election. (Exhibit 106.) An
additional 160 persons registered by original affidavits between June 4 and September 26,
2008. whose names appear on the Calvalidator Failed Report, but who were not flagged to
show identification and who voted in the election. (Exhibits 116. H7, 1 I8.) The evidence
also shows that certain voters were returned on the CL file as a 'NO MATCH,“ but not
flagged at the poll to show identification and did not provide identification at the time of
registration."
7433M ”21902 05002
6
CON TESTAN 7"S OBJECT/0N5 TO PROPOSED FINDINGS
00429
Obiection No. 10: FindingNo. 32 (Page 13 line 18 to page 14 line 2)
Assuming arguendo that the Court overrules Objection No. 7, Contestant objects to
this proposed Finding on the ground that it is inaccurate and incomplete. The proposed
language should be stricken, and replaced with the following:
“32. The evidence shows that no outreach was conducted, prior to the certification
of the
OOOOQOUIAWN
election results, with respect to the 1,410 voters identified on Exhibit 106. Linda
Rhoads testified that the Registrar's normal method of outreach was not conducted
following October 15. 2008, due to an unexplained computer problem. This is consistent
with the gap in the Calvalidator records produced by the Registrar's office prior to trial.
PC When reviewing Exhibit 1,Renee Bischof acknowledged that no names were listed for the
period of October 15 through December 17, 2008, and had no explanation for that
RIC/[MAN
omission. (l Tr. 149.) The combined testimony of Bischof and Rhoads leads to the
&
conclusion that at the very least no outreach was conducted during the critical period
MILLER
following October 15. 2008, when over 6,000 registration forms were submitted. There is
no evidence that any successful outreach was conducted following that period and prior to
ORIA‘GHER
certification ofthe election."
Objection
NNNNNNN_#——_.—_.—_._
No. 11: Finding No. 33 (Page 14 lines 3-12)
THEODORA
Assuming arguena’o that the Court overrules Objection No. 7. Contestant objects to
this proposed
WSQmAwN—OOOONO\UIAWN—
Finding on the ground that itis inaccurate and not supported by the evidence.
The evidence presented on this issue is included in Contestant's proposed revision to
Finding No. 32, as stated in Objection No.9 above.
Objection No. 12: Finding No. 39 (Page 16 lines l-l6)
Assuming arguena’o that the Court overrules Objection No. 7, Contestant objects to
this proposed Finding on the ground that itis inaccurate and not supported by the evidence.
The evidence presented on this issue is included in Contestant's objections to Finding Nos.
31, 32, and 33 (Objection Nos. 9.10, and l1 above). and in Contestant's Proposed Findings
A. B. C, D. E and F (Objections Nos. l4-l9 below). The proposed language should be
N stricken, and replaced with the following:
74333l.ll2|992.05002
7
CONTESTA/VT‘S OBJECT/0N3 T0 PROPOSED FINDINGS
00430
"39. The total number ofvoters registered in the l8 precincts at issue stood at about
5,000 in mid-September 2008. It jumped to over 15,000 by October 20, 2008. The main
reason for this was that large voter registration drives were conducted in September and
October 2008, mostly on the campuses of UCSB and Santa Barbara City College. A total
of 9,943 registration cards were submitted to and accepted by the Registrar between
September
Oomxtc'xuubwm
26 and October 20, 2008. (Exhibit llS.) Of these, 6,092 registration cards
were submitted during the final four business days of the registration period, between
October 15 and 20, 2008. (Exhibit 1 I3.)
Objection No. [3: Finding No. 40 (Page 16 lines 17-22)
PC Assuming arguendo that the Court overrules Objection No. 7, Contestant objects to
this proposed Finding on the ground that it isinaccurate and not supported by the evidence.
R/cmux
The evidence presented on this issue is included in Contestant's objections to Finding Nos.
&
3], 32, and 33 (Objection Nos. 9,10, and l1 above), and in Contestant's Proposed Findings
MILLER
A, B, C, D, E, and F (Objections Nos. l4-l9 below).
Objection No. 14 (Add Findiu A re New Registrant Files Not Submitted to
ORIA‘GIIER
Calvalidatorl
NMNNNN————..——.__._._
Assuming arguendo that the Court overrules Objection No. 7, Contestant requests
THEODORA
that the Court
gflgmAWN—OOOOHO‘U‘AWN—
make the following finding. based upon the unrebuttcd testimony of Ms.
Baxter and the exhibits identified during her testimony:
"A. A total of 264 new registrant files were never submitted to Calvalidator, as
shown by a comparison ofthe master registration records with the content ofthe DL files
produced by the Registrar ofVoters. (Exhibits 1 I6, 1l8.)"
Objection No. 15 (Add Finditjg B re Calvalidator Failed Report Records Not
Produced At Trial!
Assuming arguendo that the Court overrules Objection No. 7, Contestant requests
that the Court make the following finding. based upon the unrebutted testimony of Ms.
N Baxter and the exhibits identified during her testimony:
"mil/21992 05002 8
CONTESTANT'S OBJECT/0N5 T0 PROPOSED FINDINGS
00431
"B. The actual number of new registrants whose names were not submitted to
Calvalidator in this category could be higher than the number identified above. due to the
fact that the Registrar's Office never produced the Calvalidator Failed Reports for October
20 and December 19. 2008. which should cover 1.109 registrants (October 20th) and 141
registrants (December 19th), respectively (Exhibit 102.)"
Objection N0. 16 (Add Finding C re Mail In Registration Forms)
OOOONO‘UIJi
Assuming arguendo that the Court overrules Objection No. 7, Contestant requests
that the Court make the following finding, based upon the testimony of Ms. Bischofi‘, Ms.
Baxter, and the exhibits identified during their testimony:
PC "C. Registration forms were received by mail, and are marked by the Registrar‘s
Office with the designation 'M.‘ Only 5 mail-in registrations were accompanied by a copy
RIC/IMAM
ofthe voter‘s identification. (Exhibit 19.) An additional 133 new voters registered by mail
&
and voted in the election. but did not provide identification with their registration and were
MILL£R
not flagged to show identification at the polls. (Exhibit 98. 104.)"
Objection No. 17 (Add FindimLD re Registration Cards Marked " L)
0Rl.\‘G//£R
Assuming arguendo that the Court overrules Objection No. 7, Contestant requests
that the Court make the follOWing finding. based upon the testimony of Ms. Bischoff, Ms.
Tusoooiu
Baxter, and the exhibits identified during their testimony:
"D.
NNNNNNNNN—-—————_H——
In addition to the registration cards marked 'M,‘ other registration cards are
OONONMAWN—OOOOVO‘UIAUJN—
marked 'U' as shorthand for 'Unknown.‘ These include cards submitted to the Secretary of
State's office, or sent from other Counties. Ms. Rhoads acknowledged that some or all of
these cards could have been mailed by the voter to the Secretary of State or to the Registrar
of Voters in another County, in which case the registrant should have been required to
provide identification when voting. A total of 371 registration cards are marked 'U,‘ and
were submitted by voters who had no prior registration, voted in the election, were not
flagged to show identification at the polls. and appear on the Calvalidator Failed Records
report. (Exhibit 99. 101.)"
743131”2199105002
9
CONTES‘TANT'S ()IL/ECTIUNS TO PROPOSED FINDINGS ‘
00432
Objection N0. 18 (Add Finding E re Unsigned Cards and Unidentifed
Registrants)
Contestant requests that the Court make the following finding. based upon the
testimony os. Bischoff, Ms. Baxter, and the exhibits identified during their testimony:
"E. The evidence presented shows that not less than l2 registration cards were
accepted which did not include the registrant's last name or which were not signed by the
—
registrant. (ll Tr. l6}; Exhibits 47, 53.)"
Objection No. 19 (Add Finding F re Omission of Essential Information)
Contestant requests that the Court make the following finding, based upon the
I’C testimony of Ms. Bischoff, Ms. Baxter. and the exhibits identified during their testimony:
"F. The evidence presented shows that not less than 5 registration cards were
RIC/{MAN
accepted which omitted essential information such as the registrant's date of birth or place
&
ofbirth. (ll Tr. 17]; Exhibit 48.)"
MILLER
Obiection No. 20: Conclusions of Law Nos. 1 to 25 and 27 to 29 (Page [7 line 5
to Page
NN—-——-——n-—-—-—-—-—-—-
31 line l2}
ORIA‘GIIER
The Court ruled that Contestant Pappas did not have a private right of action under
HAVA. This conclusion is addressed in Conclusion of Law No. 26. The other proposed
T115000!”
Conclusions of Law address issues which were not identified as grounds for the nonsuit
motion and are thus improper and should be stricken in their entirety. There are two
reasons for this request:
First, the proposed Conclusions are not relevant to the stated basis for the Court‘s
decision. The Court held that Contestant lacks standing to raise issues concerning the
procedures mandated by HAVA. The motion for nonsuit was based upon this ruling. The
request for detailed conclusions of law on other issues, which were not addressed in the
Court‘s ruling on the motion for nonsuit. is inconsistent with the Court's stated reason for
its decision.
Second. Contestant rested its ease immediately upon receiving the Court's ruling
that Contestant lacked standing to raise the HAVA issues. Had the Court not issued this
74333lJ/7l99205002
10
C ONTESTANT'S OBJECT/0N3 TO PROPOSED F IND/NOS
00433‘
ruling. Contestant would have called additional witnesses, and offered additional evidence,
on some or all of the subjects addressed in the Proposed Conclusions of Law. It is
inconsistent for Defendant to move for nonsuit on the basis that Contestant lacks standing
to raise these issues, only to then ask the Court to issue conclusions of law on these issues.
Objection No. 2]: Conclusion No. 8 (Page 18 lines l9 to 26)
OOOOQO‘VIAKAN—
Assuming arguendo that the Court overrules Objection No. 20, Contestant objects
to this proposed Conclusion on the ground that it is inaccurate and not supported by the
evidence. The third and fourth sentences should be stricken. as unsupported by the
evidence, as stated in Contestant's objections to Finding Nos. 31, 32. and 33 (Objections
PC Nos. 9-1] above), and in Contestant's Proposed Findings A, B, C, D, E and F (Objections
Nos. l4-l9).
RIC/[MAN
Objection No.22: Conclusion No. l4 (Page 20 line 27 to new 2] line 11)
&
Assuming argucndo that the Court overrules Objection No. 20, Contestant objects
MILLER
to this proposed Conclusion on the ground that it is inaccurate and not supported by the
evidence. Defendant could have cross-petitioned in this proceeding had she believed that
ORLVGHER
the same irregularities affected the votes cast in other precincts. The evidence does not
support the argument that the registration irregularities affected other precincts. This
TI/sODO/u
proposed Conclusion should be stricken in its entirety.
Objection
muomt—Oomuomvbww—
NNNNNNNNN—_