McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
-
Upload
helen-tansey -
Category
Documents
-
view
221 -
download
0
Transcript of McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
1/36
E-Filed
04/23/2013 @01:56:01 P MHonorable Robert Esdale
Clerk Of The Court
Case No. 1120465
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA
HUGH MclNl:n:SH7 et a l . ,
Ap pe lla nts ,
BETH CHAPMAN, i n her c a p a c i t y as S e c r e t a r y of State,
Appellee.
ON APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY,
ALABAMA
CV 2012-1053
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAEALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Thomas A. W o o d a l l
B a r r y A. R a g s d a l e
SIROTE & PERMUTT, P.C.
2311 H i g h l a n d Avenue South
P o s t O f f i c e Box 55727
B i r m i n g h a m , AL 35255-5727
T e l . : (205) 930-5100
F a x : (205) 930-5335E - m a i l : t w o o d a l l @ s i r o t e . c o m
Attorneys f o r amicus curiae
Alabama Democratic Party
DOCSBHM\1933770\1
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected] -
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
2/36
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS i
TABLE OF CONTENTS i iSTATEMENT OF INTEREST OF AMICUS CURIAE 1
"StrMMARY OF ARGUMENT":": "":":\"":"";T~":T"";"""::"""r 2ARGUMENT 3
I . NO ALABAMA COURT HAS SUBJECT-MATTER JURISDICTION
REGARDING ANY MATTER CONCERNING THE RE -E LE CT IO N OF
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA 3
I I . THE CLAIMS FOR PRE-ELECTION R E L I E F WITH RESPECT TO
THE 2 012 PRES ID EN TI AL CANDIDATES ARE MOOT 7
I I I . THERE I S NO CREDIBLE EVIDENCE THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA
WAS BORN ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HAWAII 10
I V . THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS NO OBLI GA TI ON TO
INVESTIGATE UNFOUNDED, UNSUBSTANTIATED AND
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED CONSPIRACY THEORIES
REGARDING A PRES ID EN TI AL CANDIDATE'S E L I G I B I L I T Y
FOR OFFICE 15
A. A C o u n t y S h e r i f f from A r i z o n a i s not an " O f f i c i a l
S o u r c e " of A n y t h i n g i n Alabama 16
B. The A f f i d a v i t s and O t h e r Documents S u b m i t t e d are
I n a d m i s s i b l e and Not Worthy of B e l i e f 19
CONCLUSION 21
CERTIFICATE OF SE RV IC E 22
DOCSBHM\1933770\i
i
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
3/36
T A B L E O F A U T H O R I T I E S
Page(s)CASES
B a r b e rv .
Community O u t r e a c h ,I n c . ,
42 So.3d 65, 71 ( A l a . 2009) 8
B r y a n - - - - -
6 So.3d 49 1, 502 ( A l a . 2008) 1
D e n n i s v . S c a r b o r o u g h ,
360 So.2d 27 8, 279 ( A l a . 1978) 20
E t h e r i d g e v . S t a t e e x r e l . O l s o n ,
730 So.2d 1179 ( A l a . 1999) 5
E x p a r t e Seymour,
946 S o.2 d 536,538 ( A l a . 2006) 3
F a r m e r v. Hypo H o l d i n g s , I n c . ,
675 So.2d 387,390 ( A l a . 1996) 15
Government S t r e e t Lumber Co., I n c . v. AmSouth Bank,
N.A. ,
553 So.2d 68, 78 ( A l a . 1989) 19
H o l l i s t e r v. S o e t o r o ,
258 F.R.D. 1 (D.D.C. 2009), aff'd, 368 Fed.Appx. 154,
2010 WL 1169793 (B.C. C i r . 2010) 14
M i n g k i d v . U.S. A t t ' y Gen.,
468 F. 3d 763, 768 (11^^ C i r . 2006) 8
S e a r s v . C a r s o n ,
551 So.2d 105 4, 1056 ( A l a .1989) 5
S m i t h V. A l l e n ,
502 F. 3d 125 5, 1267 (11^^ C i r . 2007) 8
S t a t e Dept. of Revenue v. A r n o l d ,
909 So.2d 192, 194 ( A l a . 2005) 15
Townsend v . G e n e r a l M o t o r s C o r p . ,
642 So.2d 41 1, 423 ( A l a .1994) 20
ii
DOCSBHM\1933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
4/36
Townson v. S t o n i c h e r ,
933 So.2d 1062, 1066 ( A l a . ) 15
U. S. V . C l a r k ,
249 F.Supp. 720, 728 (M.D. A l a . 1965) 17
STATUTES
"Aia7""cod :e1975";" 117-16-4 0 (27"":::::::::";:::::;":"::::::::":::^A l a . Code 19 75 , 17-16-44 5
O T H E R AUTHORITIES
R u l e 5 6 ( e ) , A l a . R. C i v , P 20
A l a . R . E v i d . 902 13
Alabama C o n s t i t u t i o n ..3
A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l O p i n i o n No. 1998-200 ...15,16,18
Honolulu Advertiser, Au g. 13, 1961 , p. B-6 12
Honolulu S t a r - B u l l e t i n , Au g. 14, 1961 12
A r t i c l e I I , S e c t i o n 1, of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
C o n s t i t u t i o n 4
Amendment X X I I , S e c t i o n 1, of the U n i t e d S t a t e s
C o n s t i t u t i o n 9
www. s h e r i f f s . o r g / c o n t e n t / f a q 18
ii i
DOCSBIIM\1933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
5/36
STATEMENT OF INTEREST OF AMICUS CURIAE
Amicus Curiae Alabama D e m o c r a t i c P a r t y ha s an i n t e r e s t
i n t h i s a p p e a l b e c a u s e t h e A p p e l l a n t s s e e k h e r e i n t o
c-h-aXlenge----th-e----eli-g-ibiXi-ty----0-f-----Er-es.i-dent.- B a r a c k Obama^__.to have...
a p p e a r e d on t h e b a l l o t a s t h e D e m o c r a t i c nominee f o r
P r e s i d e n t . "A p o l i t i c a l p a r t y h a s t h e r i g h t t o d e t e r m i n e
e l i g i b i l i t y o f i t s nominees a n d t o r e f u s e t o i s s u e a
c e r t i f i c a t e o f n o m i n a t i o n o r t o r e v o k e a c e r t i f i c a t e o f
n o m i n a t i o n i f o ne h a s been e n t e r e d . " B r y a n v . Hubbard, 6
So.3d 491, 502 ( A l a . 2 0 0 8 ) . I n a d d i t i o n , t h e Alabama
D e m o c r a t i c P a r t y ha s an i n t e r e s t i n e n s u r i n g t h a t f u t u r e
Alabama S e c r e t a r i e s o f S t a t e a r e n o t a l l o w e d t o d i s q u a l i f y
a p a r t y ' s nominees b a s e d on i n t e r n e t rumors a n d u n f o u n d e d
a s s e r t i o n s r e g a r d i n g t h e i r q u a l i f i c a t i o n s .
DOCSBHM\1933770\1
1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
6/36
SUJdMARY OF ARGUMENT
The t r i a l c o u r t d i s m i s s e d M c l n n i s h and Goode's
b a s e l e s s a t t a c k on t h e e l i g i b i l i t y o f P r e s i d e n t Obama t o
s e e k r e e l e c t i o n t o t h e O f f i c e o f P r e s i d e n t . The t r i a l
c o u r t a c t e d c o r r e c t l y , because no Alabama c o u r t h a s
s u b j e c t - m a t t e r j u r i s d i c t i o n r e g a r d i n g an y m a t t e r c o n c e r n i n g
t h e r e e l e c t i o n of th e P r e s i d e n t . F u r t h e r m o r e , M c l n n i s h and
Goode's c l a i m s f o r p r e - e l e c t i o n r e l i e f w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e
2012 p r e s i d e n t i a l c a n d i d a t e s a r e c l e a r l y moot. S t a t e d
s i m p l y , t h e r e i s a b s o l u t e l y n o t h i n g a ny Alabama c o u r t c a n
do t o change t h e r e a l i t y o f P r e s i d e n t Obama's e l e c t i o n t o a
s e c o n d t e r m o f o f f i c e .
DOCSBIiM\1933770\l
2
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
7/36
ARGUMENT
I. NO ALABAMA COURT HAS SUBJECT-MATTER JURISDICTION
REGARDING ANY MATTER CONCERNING THE RE-ELECTION OF
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.
I n November 2012, P r e s i d e n t B a r a c k Obama was r e - e l e c t e d
P r e s i d e n t o f th e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a . As a c k n o w l e d g e d
b y M c l n n i s h and Goode, t h e e l e c t o r s d u l y v o t e d i n December
and, as t h e w o r l d knows. P r e s i d e n t Obama was i n a u g u r a t e d i n
J a n u a r y 2 013, Now, however, M c I n n i s h and Goode i n v i t e t h i s
C o u r t t o e x c e e d t h e s c o p e o f i t s j u r i s d i c t i o n b y a d d r e s s i n g
m a t t e r s c o n c e r n i n g t h e c o n d u c t o r r e s u l t s of th e November
2012 e l e c t i o n . T h i s C o u rt s h o u l d d e c l i n e t h e i n v i t a t i o n .
" S u b j e c t - m a t t e r j u r i s d i c t i o n c o n c e r n s a c o u r t ' s power
t o d e c i d e c e r t a i n t y p e s o f c a s e s . . . . T h a t power i s
d e r i v e d f r o m t h e Alabama C o n s t i t u t i o n and t h e Alabama
Code." Ex p a r t e Seymour, 946 So.2d 536, 538 ( A l a .
2006) ( e m p h a s i s i n o r i g i n a l ) . No p r o v i s i o n o f Alabama l a w ,
c o n s t i t u t i o n a l o r s t a t u t o r y , g i v e s a c o u r t t h e a u t h o r i t y t o
o r d e r t h e r e l i e f s o u g h t b y M c l n n i s h and Goode f o l l o w i n g t h e
2012 e l e c t i o n ,
3
DOCSBHM\!933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
8/36
A r t i c l e I I , S e c t i o n 1, of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
C o n s t i t u t i o n p r o v i d e s t h a t " [ n ] o p e r s o n e x c e p t a n a t u r a l
b o r n c i t i z e n . . . s h a l l be e l i g i b l e t o t h e o f f i c e o f
P r e s i d e n t . " A c c o r d i n g t o M c l n n i s h and Goode, " [ t ] h e c o r e
q u e s t i o n r e g a r d i n g [ P r e s i d e n t ] Obama i s w h e t h e r he i s a
n a t u r a l b o r n c i t i z e n . " A p p e l l a n t s ' b r i e f , a t 9. I n o t h e r
w o r d s , t h e y q u e s t i o n h i s e l i g i b i l i t y t o h o l d t h e o f f i c e he
h a s o c c u p i e d s i n c e J a n u a r y 2 0 0 9. I n o r d e r t o r e s o l v e t h e
s o - c a l l e d " q u e s t i o n " o f P r e s i d e n t Obama's e l i g i b i l i t y ,
M c l n n i s h an d Goode s e e k t h e f o l l o w i n g r e l i e f :
"We u r g e n t l y a s k t h i s h o n o r a b l e C o u r t t o g r a n t
t h i s w r i t o r d e r i n g t h e S e c r e t a r y [of S t a t e ] t o
o b t a i n b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e s f r o m t h e c a n d i d a t e s f o r
P r e s i d e n t of th e U n i t e d S t a t e s f o r t h e e l e c t i o n
w h i c h was h e l d i n November, 2012 . . . . I f s u c h
b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e s a r e n o t f o r t h c o m i n g w i t h i n 45
d a y s a f t e r o r d e r o f t h i s C o u r t , t h e v o t e sc e r t i f i e d f o r a ny c a n d i d a t e n o t r e s p o n d i n g s h o u l d
be d e c e r t i f i e d . "
A p p e l l a n t s ' b r i e f , a t 3 9. F u r t h e r , a c c o r d i n g t o M c l n n i s h
a n d Goode, t h i s C o u r t s h o u l d d i r e c t " t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
. t o r e q u i r e a l l p r e s i d e n t i a l c a n d i d a t e s i n t h e r e c e n t
2012 e l e c t i o n t o s u b m i t bona f i d e b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e s t o h e r
f o r v e r i f i c a t i o n . " No p r o v i s i o n o f Alabama l a w g i v e s an
Alabama c o u r t t h e power t o o r d e r an y s u c h r e l i e f .
4
DOCSBHM\!933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
9/36
" T h i s C o u r t has been u n e q u i v o c a l i n s t a t i n g t h a t
e l e c t i o n s n o r m a l l y do not f a l l w i t h i n the scope of j u d i c i a l
r e v i e w . " S e a r s v. C a r s o n , 551 So, 2d 1054, 1056 ( A l a .
198 9) , I n d e e d , "a c o u r t does not have j u r i s d i c t i o n t o
i n t e r f e r e i n an e l e c t i o n r e s u l t u n l e s s a s t a t u t e a u t h o r i z e s
i t t o do so. " E t h e r i d g e v. S t a t e ex r e l . O l s o n , 730 So.2d
1179, 1182 ( A l a . 1999) . S e c t i o n 17-16-40 (2) , Al ab am a Code
1975, p r o v i d e s t h a t t h e e l i g i b i l i t y of c e r t a i n Alabama
o f f i c i a l s may be c o n t e s t e d f o l l o w i n g t h e i r e l e c t i o n , b u t ,
a s M c l n n i s h and Goode a d m i t , t h e " s t a t u t e does not m e n t i o n
any f e d e r a l o f f i c e , and s p e c i f i c a l l y does not m e n t i o n t h e
O f f i c e o f P r e s i d e n t of the U n i t e d S t a t e s . " A p p e l l a n t s '
b r i e f , at 33. F u r t h e r m o r e , as t h e y a l s o a d m i t , " A l a . Code
1975, 17-16-44 e l i m i n a t e s j u r i s d i c t i o n t o c h a l l e n g e o t h e r
e l e c t i o n s . " A p p e l l a n t s ' b r i e f , a t 34.^ I n o t h e r w o rd s, i t
i s u n d i s p u t e d t h a t t h e r e i s no s t a t u t o r y b a s i s upon w h i c h
M c l n n i s h and Goode may now c h a l l e n g e t h e e l i g i b i l i t y of the
P r e s i d e n t .
^ S e c t i o n 17-16-44 p r o v i d e s , i n p e r t i n e n t p a r t , t h a t " [n] o
j u r i s d i c t i o n e x i s t s i n o r s h a l l be e x e r c i s e d by any j u d g e
o r c o u r t t o e n t e r t a i n any p r o c e e d i n g f o r a s c e r t a i n i n g t h e
l e g a l i t y , c o n d u c t , o r r e s u l t s of any e l e c t i o n , e x c e p t so
f a r as a u t h o r i t y t o do so s h a l l be s p e c i a l l y and
s p e c i f i c a l l y enume rated and s e t down by s t a t u t e . "
5
DOCSBHM\1933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
10/36
F a c e d w i t h an i n s u r m o u n t a b l e j u r i s d i c t i o n a l h u r d l e ,
M c l n n i s h and Goode r e s o r t t o a c o m p l e t e m x s c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n
o f t h e i r c l a i m s , a r g u i n g t h a t t h e i r " l a w s u i t does n o t s e e k
t o q u e s t i o n t h e l e g a l i t y of the e l e c t i o n , n o r does i t
i m p a c t t h e ' c o n d u c t ' of the e l e c t i o n , n o r does i t c o n t e s t
t h e r e s u l t s of the e l e c t i o n . " A p p e l l a n t s ' b r i e f , a t 36.
However, t h e i r own words b e l i e t h i s d e s c r i p t i o n of the
p u r p o s e o f t h e i r l a w s u i t and the n a t u r e of the r e l i e f t h e y
s e e k . M c l n n i s h and Goode s e e k t o c h a l l e n g e P r e s i d e n t
Obama's e l i g i b i l i t y b y h a v i n g t h e C o u r t " [ d i r e c t t h e
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e ] t o r e q u i r e a l l p r e s i d e n t i a l c a n d i d a t e s
i n t h e r e c e n t 2 012 e l e c t i o n t o s u b m i t bona f i d e b i r t h
c e r t i f i c a t e s t o h e r f o r v e r i f i c a t i o n . " I d . , a t 10. " [ T ] h i s
l a w s u i t i s a b o u t t h e e l i g i b i l i t y o f t h o s e [who]
p a r t i c i p a t e [d] i n t h e e l e c t i o n . " I d , , a t 36. I f s u c h a
b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e does n o t s a t i s f y t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
t h a t a c a n d i d a t e was e l i g i b l e f o r t h e o f f i c e he s o u g h t , o r
i f a c a n d i d a t e does n o t p r o v i d e s u c h a b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e ,
M c l n n i s h and Goode w o u l d have t h e v o t e s f o r s u c h c a n d i d a t e
" d e c e r t i f i e d . " I d . , at 39.
I s s u e s r e g a r d i n g t h e e l i g i b i l i t y o f a c a n d i d a t e who
a p p e a r e d on a b a l l o t c l e a r l y c o n c e r n t h e c o n d u c t of the
6
DOCSBHM\]933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
11/36
e l e c t i o n , a n d t h e r e l i e f s o u g h t c o u l d a f f e c t t h e r e s u l t s o f
t h e e l e c t i o n . No Alabama c o u r t h a s been g i v e n t h e
a u t h o r i t y t o a d d r e s s t h e p o s t - e l e c t i o n i s s u e s r a i s e d b y
M c l n n i s h a n d Goode o r t o g r a n t t h e r e l i e f t h e y r e q u e s t .
C o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e t r i a l c o u r t p r o p e r l y d i s m i s s e d t h e c a s e .
I I . THE CLAIMS FOR PRE-ELECTION RELIEF WITH RESPECT TO THE
2012 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE MOOT.
E i g h t months a f t e r M c l n n i s h l e a r n e d t h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y
o f S t a t e w o u l d n o t i n v e s t i g a t e t h e e l i g i b i l i t y of any
p r e s i d e n t i a l c a n d i d a t e , he and Goode f i l e d t h i s c a s e . (C.
9.) I n t h e i r p e t i t i o n , t h e y r e q u e s t e d t h a t " t h e c o u r t o r d e r
t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e t o demand t h a t a l l [ p r e s i d e n t i a l ]
c a n d i d a t e s . . . c a u s e a c e r t i f i e d c o p y o f t h e i r bona f i d e
b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e t o be d e l i v e r e d t o t h e S e c r e t a r y d i r e c t l y
f r o m t h e government o f f i c i a l i n c h a r g e o f t h e r e c o r d
d e p o s i t o r y i n w h i c h i t i s s t o r e d , " a n d t h a t " t h e r e c e i p t o f
s u c h [ c e r t i f i c a t e be made] a p r e r e q u i s i t e t o t h e i r name
b e i n g p l a c e d o n t h e Alabama b a l l o t f o r t h e November 6, 2012
g e n e r a l e l e c t i o n . " A p p e l l a n t s ' b r i e f , a t 1. F u r t h e r , t h e y
r e q u e s t e d t h a t t h e c o u r t " i s s u e a p r e l i m i n a r y a n d permanent
i n j u n c t i o n p r e v e n t i n g t h e p l a c e m e n t o n t h e 2 012 Alabama
7
DOCSBHM\1933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
12/36
b a l l o t u n t i l t h e i r e l i g i b i l i t y h a d been c o n c l u s i v e l y
d e t e r m i n e d . " I d . B y t h e i r own a d m i s s i o n , M c l n n i s h a n d
Goode q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r P r e s i d e n t Obama meets t h e
r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t o ne e l e c t e d t o t h e o f f i c e o f P r e s i d e n t
must be a n a t u r a l b o r n c i t i z e n , a n d t h e y f i l e d t h i s a c t i o n
t o r e q u i r e v e r i f i c a t i o n o f h i s e l i g i b i l i t y . I d . , a t 9-10.
W i t h o u t a n y d o u b t , t h e i r c l a i m s f o r p r e - e l e c t i o n r e l i e f
w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e 2 01 2 p r e s i d e n t i a l c a n d i d a t e s a r e n ow
moot.
" c a s e i s moot when i t no l o n g e r p r e s e n t s a l i v e
c o n t r o v e r s y w i t h r e s p e c t t o w h i c h t h e c o u r t c a n g i v e
m e a n i n g f u l r e l i e f . ' " S m i t h v. A l l e n , 502 F. 3d 12 55 , 1267
(11*'^ C i r , 2007) ( q u o t i n g M i n g k i d v . U.S. A t t ' y Gen . , 468
F.3d 763, 768 ( l l " ^ C i r . 2 0 0 6 ) ) , See a l s o B a r b e r v . Community
O u t r e a c h , I n c . , 4 2 So.3d 65, 71 n.5 ( A l a . 200 9) ( s t a t i n g
t h a t t h e q u e s t i o n i s w h e t h e r t h e r e c a n b e a n y e f f e c t i v e
r e l i e f ) .
B o t h l e g a l l y a n d f a c t u a l l y , t h e r e c a n b e n o m e a n i n g f u l
o r e f f e c t i v e r e l i e f w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e 2 012 p r e s i d e n t i a l
e l e c t i o n . A s a l r e a d y d e m o n s t r a t e d , no Alabama c o u r t h a s t h e
a u t h o r i t y t o d e l v e i n t o t h e l e g a l i t y , c o n d u c t , o r r e s u l t s
o f t h a t e l e c t i o n . B e c a u s e no r e l i e f i s a v a i l a b l e a f t e r t h e
8
DOCSBHM\1933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
13/36
e l e c t i o n w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e c a n d i d a t e s , i p s o f a c t o , t h e
p r e - e l e c t i o n c l a i m s i n v o l v i n g t h e c a n d i d a t e s a r e moot.
P r e s i d e n t Obama a p p e a r e d on the Alabama b a l l o t as t h e
nominee o f th e D e m o c r a t i c P a r t y . The e l e c t i o n was h e l d and
t h e r e s u l t s were c e r t i f i e d l o n g ago. A l t h o u g h a l l o f
Alabama's e l e c t o r a l v o t e s were c a s t , c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e
p o p u l a r v o t e , f o r t h e nominee of th e R e p u b l i c a n P a r t y , a
m a j o r i t y o f t h e n a t i o n ' s e l e c t o r a l v o t e s were c a s t f o r
P r e s i d e n t Obama and, t h u s , he was r e e l e c t e d . He has been
i n a u g u r a t e d a n d w i l l s e r v e as t h i s c o u n t r y ' s p r e s i d e n t
u n t i l J a n u a r y 2 017. T h e r e i s a b s o l u t e l y n o t h i n g t h a t any
Alabama c o u r t ca n do t o change t h i s r e a l i t y . Thus, any
a c t i o n a c o u r t m i g h t t a k e w o u l d be o f no meaning o r e f f e c t .
F i n a l l y , t h e o b j e c t o f M c l n n i s h a n d Goode's s c o r n ,
P r e s i d e n t Obama, c a n n o t be e l e c t e d a g a i n t o t h e o f f i c e o f
P r e s i d e n t . Amendment X X I I , S e c t i o n 1, of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
C o n s t i t u t i o n p r o v i d e s t h a t " [n]o p e r s o n s h a l l be e l e c t e d t o
t h e o f f i c e o f P r e s i d e n t more t h a n t w i c e . " C o n s e q u e n t l y ,
P r e s i d e n t Obama's a p p e a r a n c e on an Alabama b a l l o t as a
p r e s i d e n t i a l c a n d i d a t e i s n o t c a p a b l e o f r e p e t i t i o n and,
t h e r e f o r e , n o t h i n g i n v o l v i n g h i s e l i g i b i l i t y f o r s u c h a
9
DOCSBHM\i933770\!
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
14/36
c a n d i d a c y c a n f a l l w i t h i n t h e " c a p a b l e o f r e p e t i t i o n y e t
a v o i d i n g r e v i e w " e x c e p t i o n t o t h e mootness d o c t r i n e .
I I I . THERE IS NO CREDIBLE EVIDENCE THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS
BORN ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HAWAII.
Thesepeoplecouldhavepersonally w i t n e s s e d
Obama be ing born ou t of an appl e pie, in the
middle ofa Kansas wheat f i e l d , while Toby Keith
sang the National Anthem ~ andthey'd s t i l l think
he was a Kenyan Muslim, "
-Jimmy Kimmel
M c l n n i s h a n d Goode r e p e a t e d l y a s s e r t t h a t t h e y p r o v i d e d
t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e a n d t h e Montgomery County C i r c u i t
C o u r t w i t h s u b s t a n t i a l " c r e d i b l e e v i d e n c e " t h a t P r e s i d e n t
Obama's b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e i s a " f o r g e r y . " I n r e a l i t y ,
M c l n n i s h a n d Goode s u b m i t t e d no a d m i s s i b l e e v i d e n c e
w h a t s o e v e r a n d m e r e l y r e p e a t e d d i s c r e d i t e d rumors and
a l l e g a t i o n s w h i c h have been r e j e c t e d b y e v e r y a u t h o r i t a t i v e
c o u r t a n d t r i b u n a l t h a t h a s r e v i e w e d them.
I n s t e a d o f p r o d u c i n g a n y r e a l e v i d e n c e , M c l n n i s h and
Goode a s k e d t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e t o i n t e r f e r e w i t h a
n a t i o n a l P r e s i d e n t i a l e l e c t i o n b a s e d on u n s u b s t a n t i a t e d
" o p i n i o n s " a n d " b e l i e f s " t h a t have n o t h i n g t o do w i t h an y
k i n d o f p r o p e r f o r e n s i c a n a l y s i s , a n d e v e r y t h i n g t o do w i t h
a j a u n d i c e d a n d j a d e d p o l i t i c a l agenda,
10DOCSBHM\1933770\]
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
15/36
I n o r d e r f o r one t o a c c e p t t h e c l a i m t h a t P r e s i d e n t
Obama's b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e i s a f o r g e r y , one ha s t o bu y i n t o
a c o n s p i r a c y t h e o r y so v a s t and b y z a n t i n e t h a t i t s i n c e r e l y
t a x e s t h e i m a g i n a t i o n o f r e a s o n a b l e m i n d s . More
i m p o r t a n t l y , i n o r d e r t o e n t e r t a i n t h e t h e o r y a d v a n c e d b y
M c l n n i s h and Goode and o t h e r s o f t h e i r i l k , one ha s t o
s e l e c t i v e l y i g n o r e u n d e n i a b l e f a c t s . The u n d i s p u t e d f a c t s
make i t a b u n d a n t l y c l e a r t h a t B a r a c k Obama was b o r n i n
H o n o l u l u , H a w a i i on A u g u s t 4, 19 61 .
F i r s t , t h e r e i s n o d i s p u t e t h a t P r e s i d e n t Obama's b i r t h
was p u b l i c l y announced i n t h e l o c a l H o n o l u l u newspapers i n
1961:
1 Br i l l s ,
?f--;/f' Sti:'"l
se... iB.*ii- .iA-y-a 1 !
11DOCSBHM\!933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
16/36
See Honolulu (HI) Advertiser, Au g. 13, 19 61, p. B-6; See
also Honolulu S t a r - B u l l e t i n , Aug. 14, 1961. As a
c o n s e q u e n c e , a ny t h e o r y t h a t c o n c l u d e s t h a t t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s
b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e i s f o r g e d h a s t o s t a r t w i t h t h e
i n c r e d i b l e acknowledgment t h a t t h e c o n s p i r a c y began more
t h a n f o r t y y e a r s a go . F u r t h e r , one h a s t o a l s o b e l i e v e t h a t
t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p a r e n t s went t o t h e e x t r a o r d i n a r y l e n g t h s
t o f a l s e l y announce t h e i r s o n ' s b i r t h i n H a w a i i b e c a u s e
t h e y were c o n v i n c e d t h a t f o u r d e c a d e s l a t e r he w o u l d n e e d
t o p r o v e t h a t h e was a n a t u r a l b o r n c i t i z e n i n o r d e r t o
become t h e f i r s t A f r i c a n - A m e r i c a n P r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s .
S e c o n d , i t i s a l s o u n d i s p u t e d t h a t t h e S t a t e o f H a w a i i
- o n m u l t i p l e o c c a s i o n s - h a s o f f i c i a l l y a n d u n e q u i v o c a l l y
c e r t i f i e d a n d v e r i f i e d t h a t H a w a i i h a s a n d m a i n t a i n s t h e
o r i g i n a l , p a p e r c o p y o f P r e s i d e n t Obama's 1961 b i r t h
c e r t i f i c a t e s h o w i n g h i s b i r t h i n H o n o l u l u . See O c t o b e r 31,
2008 a n d J u l y 27, 2009 S t a t e m e n t s by Dr. Chiyome F u k i n o ,
D i r e c t o r o f H a w a i i S t a t e Department o f H e a l t h , a t t a c h e d
h e r e t o a s E x h i b i t A. Anyone b e l i e v i n g i n M c l n n i s h a nd
Goode's b i z a r r e c o n s p i r a c y t h e o r y h as t o assume t h a t d o z e n s
12
DOCSBHM\]933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
17/36
o f c a r e e r e m p l o y e e s of th e H a w a i i D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h and
R e g i s t r a r o f V i t a l S t a t i s t i c s a r e i n on th e p l o t .
T h i r d , i n 2 011, t h e D i r e c t o r of t he H a w a i i D e p a r t m e n t
o f H e a l t h , Dr . L o r e t t a J . F u d d y , a t t h e r e q u e s t of th e
P r e s i d e n t , p r o v i d e d t h e W h i t e H o u s e w i t h two c e r t i f i e d
c o p i e s o f th e P r e s i d e n t ' s o r i g i n a l C e r t i f i c a t e o f L i v e
B i r t h . See A p r i l 25, 2 011 l e t t e r f r o m Dr. F u d d y t o
P r e s i d e n t Obama, a t t a c h e d h e r e t o a s E x h i b i t B. T h e s e
c e r t i f i e d c o p i e s a r e s e l f - a u t h e n t i c a t i n g u n d e r A l a b a m a law.
See A l a . R . E v i d . 902.
F o u r t h , on a t l e a s t two a d d i t i o n a l o c c a s i o n s s i n c e
2 0 1 1 , t h e S t a t e o f H a w a i i f o r m a l l y v e r i f i e d t h a t t h e
c e r t i f i e d c o p y of the P r e s i d e n t ' s b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e p o s t e d
o n t h e W h i t e H o u s e w e b s i t e i s a t r u e and c o r r e c t c o p y o f
t h e o r i g i n a l , p a p e r b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e m a i n t a i n e d by the
S t a t e o f Hawa i i . Se e May 22 , 2012 an d May 3 1, 2012
V e r i f i c a t i o n s o f B i r t h , a t t a c h e d h e r e t o as E x h i b i t C.
I n d e e d , one of t h o s e f o r m a l c e r t i f i c a t i o n s was i s s u e d t o
t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e o f A r i z o n a , t h e v e r y s t a t e t h a t
S h e r i f f A r p a i o c a l l s home.
F i n a l l y , i n o r d e r t o a c c e p t M c l n n i s h and G o o d e ' s
c o n s p i r a c y t h e o r y , one ha s t o assume t h a t t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s
13DOCSBHM\ 193377011
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
18/36
f o r g e d b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e was so c o n v i n c i n g t h a t i t was n ot
c h a l l e n g e d d u r i n g a g r u e l i n g p r i m a r y and two g e n e r a l
e l e c t i o n c a m p a i g n s f o r P r e s i d e n t and t h a t n e i t h e r H i l l a r y
C l i n t o n , J o h n M c C a i n n o r M i t t Romney c o u l d m u s t e r t h e
e v i d e n c e n e c e s s a r y t o c o n v i n c e anyone t h a t t h e i r o p p o n e n t
was i n e l i g i b l e t o h o l d t h e o f f i c e o f P r e s i d e n t of the
U n i t e d S t a t e s .
The t r u t h i s t h a t t h e " b i r t h e r " movement has no
l e g i t i m a c y i n e i t h e r t h e f a c t s o r t h e la w. The few
i n d i v i d u a l s ^ who s t i l l promote t h e p o s i t i o n t h a t P r e s i d e n t
Obama i s no t a n a t u r a l b o r n c i t i z e n do so f o r p u r e l y
i d e o l o g i c a l r e a s o n s ( o r , i n t h e c a s e of the h a n d f u l o f
l a w y e r s who us e t h e c a u s e t o r a i s e money on t h e i n t e r n e t ,
p e r s o n a l f i n a n c i a l g a i n ) . S c o r e s o f s t a t e and f e d e r a l
c o u r t s have s u m m a r i l y r e j e c t e d e f f o r t s t o have t h e
j u d i c i a r y i n t e r v e n e i n t h e p o l i t i c a l p r o c e s s on b e h a l f o f
t h i s t i n y c a b a l o f z e a l o t s . T h i s C o u r t s h o u l d do l i k e w i s e .
^ As one c o u r t has n o t e d : "Many p e o p l e , p e r h a p s as many as a
c o u p l e o f d o z e n , f e e l d e e p l y a b o u t t h i s i s s u e . " H o l l i s t e r
v . S o e t o r o , 258 F.R.D. 1, 2 (D.D.C. 2 0 0 9 ) , aff'd, 3 68
Fed.Appx. 15 4, 2010 WL 1169793 (D.C. C i r , 2 0 1 0 ) .
14DOCSBHM\1933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
19/36
IV. THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS NO OBLIGATION TO INVESTIGATE
UNFOUNDED, UNSUBSTANTIATED AND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED
CONSPIRACY THEORIES REGARDING A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE'S
ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE.
The e n t i r e t y o f t h e A p p e l l a n t s ' c a s e i s p r e m i s e d on a
t o r t u r e d r e a d i n g o f A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l ' s O p i n i o n No. 1998 -
200.^ I n O p i n i o n No. 1998-200, A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l B i l l P r y o r ' s
o f f i c e o p i n e d :
The Code does n o t r e q u i r e t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
t o d e t e r m i n e wheth er each nominee meets a l l t h eq u a l i f i c a t i o n s f o r h i s o r h e r p a r t i c u l a r o f f i c e .
Some o f t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n s , however, a r e w i t h i n
t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e ' s o f f i c i a l knowledge. B y
o f f i c i a l knowledge I mean knowledge gained from an
o f f i c i a l source a r i s i n g from the performance of
d u t i e s p r e s c r i b e d by law. ... I f t h e S e c r e t a r y o f
S t a t e h a s o f f i c i a l knowledge t h a t a c a n d i d a t e h a s
n o t met a c e r t i f y i n g q u a l i f i c a t i o n , t h e S e c r e t a r y
o f S t a t e s h o u l d n o t c e r t i f y t h e c a n d i d a t e .
A t t y . Gen . Op. No. 1998-200 a t 3 (emphas i s added) . Af t e r
g i v i n g t w o d i s c r e t e examples o f t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s under
w h i c h t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e might have " o f f i c i a l
Of c o u r s e , a s t h i s C o u r t i s w e l l aware, "an a t t o r n e y
g e n e r a l ' s o p i n i o n i s o n l y a d v i s o r y ; i t i s n ot b i n d i n g on
t h i s C o u r t a n d does n o t have t h e e f f e c t o f law." Farmer v .
Hypo H o l d i n g s , I n c . , 675 So.2d 38 7, 390 ( A l a . 1996) . Seea l s o Townson v . S t o n i c h e r , 933 So.2d 1062, 1066 ( A l a . ) ("An
a t t o r n e y g e n e r a l ' s o p i n i o n i s n o t b i n d i n g o n t h i s C o u r t a n d
does n o t have t h e e f f e c t o f l a w . " ) ; S t a t e Dept. o f Revenue
v . A r n o l d , 909 So.2d 19 2, 194 ( A l a . 2005) ( A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l
" o p i n i o n s a r e n o t c o n t r o l l i n g , b u t m e r e l y a d v i s o r y , a n d
s e r v e t o o f f e r p r o t e c t i o n from l i a b i l i t y o n l y t o ' s u c h
o f f i c e r ' t o whom t h a t o p i n i o n i s d i r e c t e d . " ) .
15DOCSBHM\1933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
20/36
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
21/36
c h a l l e n g e d c o u n t y s h e r i f f f r o m A r i z o n a named Joe A r p a i o
{ " A r p a i o " ) . Under p r e s s u r e f r o m a f e d e r a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n f o r
r a c i a l p r o f i l i n g and m i s t r e a t i n g p r i s o n e r s i n h i s c a r e ,
A r p a i o c o n v e n e d a g r o u p o f h i s p o l i t i c a l s u p p o r t e r s i n 2 011
u n d e r t h e name of th e " C o l d Case P o s s e . " A r p a i o c l a i m s t h a t
he has the a u t h o r i t y u n d e r A r i z o n a law t o a s s e m b l e h i s
s u p p o r t e r s i n t o a " v o l u n t e e r p o s s e " t o a s s i s t h i m i n h i s
d u t i e s . ^ I t was t h i s " v o l u n t e e r p o s s e " o f A r p a i o p o l i t i c a l
s u p p o r t e r s who u l t i m a t e l y e x p r e s s e d t h e i r c o l l e c t i v e
" b e l i e f " t h a t t h e c o p y o f P r e s i d e n t Obama's b i r t h
c e r t i f i c a t e was a " f o r g e r y . "
M c l n n i s h and Goode c i t e no a u t h o r i t y f o r t h e i r
a s s e r t i o n t h a t t h e " b e l i e f s " o f a c o u n t y s h e r i f f f r o m
A r i z o n a i s t h e t y p e o f " o f f i c i a l s o u r c e " t h a t c an imbue t h e
Alabama S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e w i t h " o f f i c i a l k n o w l e d g e "
r e g a r d i n g a p o l i t i c a l c a n d i d a t e ' s e l i g i b i l i t y t o h o l d
o f f i c e . A r p a i o has no l e g a l a u t h o r i t y t o do a n y t h i n g i n
Alabama and c e r t a i n l y has no l e g a l a u t h o r i t y t o e n f o r c e
Alabama l a w i n t h i s S t a t e . A c c o r d i n g t o th e N a t i o n a l
* Alabama has an u n f o r t u n a t e h i s t o r y w i t h t h e use of
s h e r i f f ' s " p o s s e s . " Se e, e.g. , U. S. v. C l a r k , 249 F.Supp.
720, 728 (M.D. A l a . 1965) ( e n j o i n i n g c o u n t y s h e r i f f ' s
v o l u n t a r y p o s s e f r o m i n t i m i d a t i n g and i n t e r f e r i n g w i t h t h e
c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t s o f b l a c k v o t e r s ) .
17DOCSBHM\i933770\J
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
22/36
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
23/36
r e s u l t , S e c r e t a r y Chapman had no l e g a l d u t y o r o b l i g a t i o n
t o i n i t i a t e an i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o P r e s i d e n t Obama's
q u a l i f i c a t i o n s and the C i r c u i t C o u r t was c o r r e c t t o d i s m i s s
t h i s c a s e .
B. The A f f i d a v i t s and Other Documents Submitted are
Inadmissible and Not Worthy o f B e l i e f .
F i n a l l y , i t i s a l s o w o r t h n o t i n g t h a t none o f th e
i n f o r m a t i o n s u b m i t t e d by M c l n n i s h and Goode i n t h e C i r c u i t
C o u r t c o n s t i t u t e d a d m i s s i b l e e v i d e n c e . I n p a r t i c u l a r , b o t h
t h e A r p a i o a f f i d a v i t and t h a t o f h i s s i d e k i c k M i c h a e l Z u l l o
a r e f i l l e d w i t h s u p p o s i t i o n and s u b j e c t i v e b e l i e f s t h a t
w o u l d n e v e r be a d m i t t e d i n t o e v i d e n c e i n any Alabama c o u r t .
S e e , e.g., A r p a i o a f f i d a v i t a t ^ 7, 8 ( " i t i s my b e l i e f
t h a t f o r g e r y and f r a u d was l i k e l y c o m m i t t e d " ; "My
i n v e s t i g a t o r s and I b e l i e v e " ) ; Z u l l o a f f i d a v i t a t ^ 8 ("the
H a w a i i Department of H e a l t h has en gag ed i n what S h e r i f f ' s
i n v e s t i g a t o r s b e l i e v e i s a s y s t e m a t i c e f f o r t t o h i d e " ) .
These k i n d s o f s u b j e c t i v e s t a t e m e n t s of an i n d i v i d u a l ' s
" b e l i e f s " a r e c l e a r l y i n a d m i s s i b l e . See Government S t r e e t
Lumber Co. , I n c . v. AmSout h Ba nk, N.A. , 553 So. 2d 68, 78
( A l a . 1989) ( " S p e c u l a t i o n and s u b j e c t i v e b e l i e f s are not the
e q u i v a l e n t o f p e r s o n a l kno wle dge and do not s a t i s f y t he
19DOCSBHM\1933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
24/36
r e q u i r e m e n t o f R u l e 5 6 ( e ) , A . R . C i v . P . M o r e o v e r , m a t t e r s
b a s e d upon i n f o r m a t i o n a nd b e l i e f a r e e s s e n t i a l l y h e a r s a y
and thu s ar e i n s u f f i c i e n t t o s u p p o r t a m o t i o n f o r summary
j u d g m e n t . " ) . S ee a l s o D e n n i s v . S c a r b o r o u g h , 3 60 So.2d
2 7 8, 2 79 ( A l a . 19 78 ) { " O r d i n a r i l y , t h e r e p o r t s o f
i n v e s t i g a t i n g o f f i c e r s a r e n o t a d m i s s i b l e i n e v i d e n c e . They
a r e deemed h e a r s a y a n d d o n o t f a l l w i t h i n t h e ' b u s i n e s s
r e c o r d s ' e x c e p t i o n t o t h a t e x c l u s i o n a r y r u l e . " ( C i t a t i o n s
o m i t t e d ) ) .
F i n a l l y , i t s h o u l d b e n o t e d t h a t n o t h i n g s u b m i t t e d b y
M c l n n i s h a nd Goode i n d i c a t e s t h a t A r p a i o o r Z u l l o a r e e v e n
r e m o t e l y q u a l i f i e d t o p r o v i d e an e x p e r t o p i n i o n r e g a r d i n g
t h e a u t h e n t i c i t y of any document - much l e s s a 4 0 - y e a r - o l d
government r e c o r d f r o m H a w a i i . See Townsend v . G e n e r a l
M o t o r s C o r p . , 642 So.2d 411, 423 ( A l a . 1994) ("a w i t n e s s
must be q u a l i f i e d a s a n e x p e r t b e f o r e h e c a n g i v e a n
o p i n i o n a s an e x p e r t " ) .
DOCSBHM\I933770\I
20
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
25/36
CONCLUSION
F o r t h e r e a s o n s s e t f o r t h i n t h i s b r i e f , a s w e l l a s
t h o s e a r g u e d b y t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e , t h e judgment o f t h e
t r i a l c o u r t i s due t o be a f f i r m e d .
R e s p e c t f u l l y s u b m i t t e d ,
/s/ Thomas A Woodall
Thomas A. Woodall (WOO009)
/s/ Barry A. Ragsdale
Barry A, Ragsdale (RAG003)
OF COUNSEL:
SIROTE ScPERMUTT, P.C.
2311 H i g h l a n d Avenue S o u t h
P o s t O f f i c e B o x 55727
B i r m i n g h a m , AL 35255-5727
T e l . : (205) 930-5100
F a x : (205) 930-5335
Attorneys f o r amicus curiae
Alabama Democratic Party
DOCSBHM\1933770\]
21
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
26/36
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I h e r e b y c e r t i f y t h a t on t h e 2 3 r d day o f A p r i l , 20 13, I
e l e c t r o n i c a l l y f i l e d t h e f o r e g o i n g w i t h t h e C l e r k o f th e
Supreme C o u r t u s i n g t h e ACIS s y s t e m , a n d m a i l e d a c o p y t o
a l l c o u n s e l i n t h i s m a t t e r as f o l l o w s :
L. Dean J o h n s o n
L. Dean J o h n s o n , P.C.
4030 B a l m o r a l D r . , S u i t e B
H u n t s v i l l e , Alabama 35801
L a r r y Klayman
Klayman Law F i r m
2020 P e n n s y l v a n i a Av e, NW, S u i t e 800
W a s h i n g t o n , DC 20006
Ho n. L u t h e r S t r a n g e
M a r g a r e t L. F l e m i n g
James W. D a v i s
L a u r a E. H o w e l l
A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l o f Alabama
501 W a s h i n g t o n S t r e e t
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
/s/Thomas A. Woodall
OF COUNSEL
DOCSBHM\I933770\I
22
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
27/36
DOCSBHM\1933770\1
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
28/36
EXHIBIT "A "
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
29/36
LINDA LINGLEGOVER NOR
CHiYOME LEiNAALA FUKINO M.D.DIRECTOR
Phone: (808) 586-4410
Fax: (808) 586-4444
F o r I m m e d i a t e R e l e a s e : O c t o b e r 3 1 , 2 0 0 8 0 8 - 9 3
S T A T E M E N T B Y D R . C H I Y O M E F U K I N O" T h e r e h a v e b e e n n u m e r o u s r e q u e s t s fo r S e n . B a r a c k H u s s e i n O b a m a ' s o f fi ci al birth cer t i f i ca te .
S t a t e l aw ( H aw a i ' i R e v i s e d Sta tu tes 338 -18 ) p roh ib i t s the re le as e o f a cer t i f i ed birth cer t i f i ca te
to per so ns wh o do no t hav e a tang ib le in te res t i n the v i ta l rec ord .
" T h e r e f o r e , 1 as D i rec t o r o f Hea l th fo r the S t a te o f Hawai ' i , a lo ng with the Reg is t ra r o f V i ta l
S ta t i s t i cs wh o ha s s ta tu to ry au thor i t y to ov er se e an d mai n ta in the se type o f v i ta l rec ord s , hav e
pe r s ona l l y s een and v e r i f i ed that t h e H a w a i ' i S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h h a s S e n . O b a m a ' s
o r i g i na l birth c e r t i f ic a t e on r ec o r d i n ac c o r d an c e with s t a t e po l i c i es and p r oc ed u r es .
" N o s t a t e o f f i c i a l , i n c l ud i ng G ov e r no r L i nda L i ng l e , has ev e r i n s t r uc t ed that th is v i ta l record be
han d le d in a man ne r d i f fe ren t f rom an y o ther v ita l record In the p os se ss io n o f the S ta te o f Haw ai ' i . "
###
For more information, contact:
Jan ice O k u b o
Communica t ions O f f icePhone : (808) 586-4442
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
30/36
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release
LINDA LINGLE
G O V E R N O R
CHIYOME LEINAALA FUKINO
DIRECTOR
Phone: (808) 586-4410Fax: (808) 586-4444
Fo r Immediate Release: July 27, 2009 09-063
"I, Dr. Chj yo me Fu kino , Director of the Hawa i' i State Department of Health, hav e seen the original vi tal
reco rds maintain ed on f i le by the Hawai' i Stat e Department of Healt h verifying Ba rac k Hus se in Ob am a
w a s born in Hawai' i and is a natural-born Amer ica n cit izen. I have nothing furtherto add to this state ment
or my original statemen t is sue d In Oct obe r 200 8 ove r eight months ago ."
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
31/36
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
32/36
'^^SvSSS' LORETTA J. FUDOY.A.C.S.W., M.P.H.DlRKTORGf HEALTH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH in.epiy.p refer.P,0.BOX3378
HONOLULU,HI 96801-3378
Apri l 25 , 2011
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania A v e n u e ,
Washington , DC 20500
Dear Pres iden t Obama :
I hav e review ed your requ est for two cert ified co pie s of your original Certif icate of Live Birth.
A s the Director of Health for the State of Hawaii, I have the legal authority to approve the
process by which copie s of such records are mad e. Through that authority, in recognit ion of
your sta tus as Presiden t of the United St at es ,! am ma king an exceptio n to current
departmental policy which is to issue a computer-generated cert if ied copy.
W e hope that issuing you t hes e cop ies of your original Certif icate of Live Birth will end the
numerous inquir ies received by the Hawaii Department of Health to produce this document.Such inquir ies have been disruptive to staffoperat ions and have strained State resourc es.
Enc losed p lease find two certified co pi es of you r origin al Certificate of Live Birth. I ha ve
witnessed the copying of the cert if icate and attest to the authenticity of the se cop ies . A
receipt for the payment of these documents is attached for your f i les. Please let us know if
we can be of furtherass is tance .
Sincerely,
Loretta J . Fuddy , A.C.S.W, M.P.H.Director of Health
Enc losures
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
33/36
'stAte OF HAWAI I CERTIFICATE OF UV BIRTHNUMiER 151
D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H
61 10611S^FCWW'* FIMI Name (Type or pHal)
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, II
9d i
Male Srmgt'C ? T w I n P rripletO4. irTwin orTripltt.
V u Chltd Bom
! atdD S r d O
Sa.BirtliDal*
Wonlh Day Year
August U, 1961
Sh. Honr /
"g^" Plaea of Blrthi Qly, Toira orRutal lA Ml Im
1 .- ; Epnbiulu; ,,,, .
Name a( Hoi^talior Inilllullon (K nol In boiplUI orInilHutlDn,: glva willM*a)
> Eaplolanl Maternity & Gynecological Hospital:
r^'- i ;ual K( J> M ofMoilirri Qij, Toim orRural l^aUon
Honolulu
OahuU , ! PUco o i BIrtk l uMe a i yor i TowB Li ml i i l
Oahu
U'nji. i^T* Judicial dlHrlel
HOD r|7c.~ CouniyuidSMtorF oTCifDCeuAi iy
Honolulu,: Hawaii
Xii-^Streel Addrcii
6085 KalanianaoXe Highwsiy
Jf~' Hollwi*a MaUlaf Add mi
7 c I I Rcddenu bulde GXj orTami : Unl u t
7(, II Reldena as a Wmita or P l i aui l onl
B,' F^ll Nama ofFather
" BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
9. Bar ^of Father
African
11. . Birthplace (IJin4SttU;M FnHi(> Cgusuii)
C e r^a, East Africa -y
?ViT"Mvt ofF a i l m
25
I2a. ITiual Occupation
Student ^
12b.' Kind ofBniineia orIndualry
UniverBity :
ISr'FiiI l MaldcH Name ofHothe
STANLEY ANN DUNHAM
14. Bace of Mother
Caucasian13.; Age of HoUier
18
16. Birth iJaeediiurj^ Juii roRlf (Wjiipj 17a;
Wichita, i^anaasl^tMrflFy thai Ihe Bbare Matedlafo^^>llDn^U inia and rorrecliM the bcM ofm f kiurwledne.
15^
lyp c ^ Oee up^ ion Outilde Home During Prcgnaiicr
"Hon*. ^ / -~
r Other Informanl yj Parent QOibff
17b. Dale Lail Work ed
ISb. Dale ofSlfnalure
;I>herdj eciliff thai ihiicfaildia bom allte.on the date andibmir: staled above.
19a. SlgnBlunj>rKUeDd>Bi M.DjD.O.
HldWlteOther
19b.. Dale ofSignaiuie
20i Dale Aceepled In to ta l Reg,
: A UG - 8 m21. Slgnilura of Loeal.Rigliirar 32. Central
23.' EvM nee . for: Delayed FUIng orAtieratioo:-
APR 2 5,,2011
ICERTIFYTHISIS AT RU ECOPYOR
ABSTRACT OP TK E RECORD ON FILE IN
THE HAWAIISTATEDEPARTMENT'OF HEALTH
STATE f EGlSTRAR
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
34/36
EXHIBIT "C"
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
35/36
Department of Health1250 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Office of Health Status MonitoringP.O. Box 3378
Honotulu, Hawaii 96801
Recip ient of Verificatio n: Ke n Bennett, Ari zon a Secre tary of State
Pursu ant to Hawa ii Revi se d Statutes 338-14.3, I verify the following:
1. A birth certificate is on file with the Department of Health indicating thatBarack Hussein Obama, II was born in Honolulu, Hawaii
2. Name ofPerson: Barack Hussein Obama , i l
3. De pa rtm ent of He alth File #: 151 61 10641
4. Time of Birth: 7:24 p.m.
5. Na me of Hospita l: Kapi olani Maternity & Gyn eco log ica l Hospital
6. Ag e of Fath er: 25
7. Birthplac e of Father: Kenya, East Afr ica
8. A ge of Mothe r: 18
9. Birthpla ce of Mother: Wic hita, Kansas
10 . Date of Signature of Parent: 8-7-61
11. Date of Signature of Attendant: 8-8-61
12 . Date Acc epte d by Loc al Registrar: Aug -8 1961
Add it io na ll y, I ver ify that the information in the co py of the C ertific ate of Live Birth for
Mr . O b a m a that you attached with your request matches the original record in our files.
I certify that the information contained
in the vital record on file with the
Department of Health was used toverify the facts of the vital event.
Alv in T, Onaka , Ph .D .
State Regi strar Date Issued: Ma y 22, 2012
OHSM FORMv ol (08/01/01)
-
7/30/2019 McInnish Democrat Amicus Brief 4-23-13
36/36
Cas e 3:12-c v-0028 0-HT W-LR A Document 35-2 Fi led 06/06/12 Page 1 of 1
Department of Health / V ^ ^ i * * ^ ^ \ Off ice of Health Statu s Monitoring
1250 Punc hbo wl Street | I P- 0. Box 3378
Honolulu, Hawai i 96813 X^s^^^Mf Honolulu, Hawai i 96801
STATE OF HAWAII
Recipien t of Verificatio n: Scot t J . Tepper and Samuel L Begiey, attorneys for the
Mississippi Democratic Party in Taitz et al v. Democratic
Party of Mississ ippi rsicl. et ai. No. 3:12-GV-00280~HTW-LRA
(S.D. Miss.)
Purs uant to Ha waii Re vis ed Statutes 33 8-14,3, I verify the following:
1. Th e original Certif icate of Live Birth for Barack Huss ein Ob am a, II, is on file
with the State of Hawaii Department of Health.
2. The information contained in the "Certif icate of Live Birth" published at
http://www.whitehouse .gQv /bloq/2011/04/27/pre5ident-obamas-lon.q-form-birth-certificate and re vie wed by me on the date of this verificati on, a copy of
which is attached with your request, matches the information contained in
the original Certif icate of Live Birth for Barack Hussein Obama, II on file with
the State of Hawaii Department of Health
I certify thatthe information contained
in the vital rsisord on file with the
Department of Health was used to
verifyTbe facts of the vital event.
Alvin T. Ona1