Petition for Writ of Certiorari - Tennessee Star · 2018-03-12 · PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI...
Transcript of Petition for Writ of Certiorari - Tennessee Star · 2018-03-12 · PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI...
INTHECHANCERYCOURTFORDAVIDSONCOUNTY,TENNESSEEATNASHVILLE
LUDYEN.WALLACE, ) ) Petitioner, ) )v. ) No._____________________ )METROPOLITANGOVERNMENTOF ) NASHVILLEANDDAVIDSONCOUNTY )andDAVIDSONCOUNTYELECTION )COMMISSION, ) ) Respondents. )_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETITIONFORWRITOFCERTIORARIANDWRITOFMANDAMUS_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ComesnowthePetitioner,LudyeN.Wallace,byandthroughundersignedcounsel,
andpetitionsthisCourtfor:
1. AwritofcertiorarireversingtheRespondentsMarch9,2018Ordersettingthe
electiontofillthevacancyintheofficeofMayoronAugust2,2018.
2. AwritofmandamuscompellingtheRespondentstosettheabove-described
electiononeitherMay1,2018pursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.§2-14-102(b)(1)orsometime
between May 21 and May 26, 2018 pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-14-102(a) as
commanded by the Charter of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson
County(“Charter”).
ThePetitionerwouldshowuntocourt,afterapresentationofthefactsatissuehere,
the administrative record, the applicable provisions of the Charter and theMetropolitan
Code of LawsofNashville andDavidsonCounty (the “Metro Code”), the applicable state
statutes, and arguments of counsel that the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and
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DavidsonCounty(“Metro”)andtheDavidsonCountyElectionCommission(“DCEC”)erred
by setting the election onAugust 2, 2018 and that theirOrder is invalid because itwas
enteredinviolationofapplicablelaw.
ThePetitionerwouldfurthershowuntotheCourt,asfollows:
PARTIES
1. LudyeN.WallaceisaresidentandcitizenofNashvilleandDavidsonCounty,
Tennessee residing at 2718 Scovel Street, Tennessee.Mr.Wallace is a constituent of the
MetropolitanCouncil’s21stDistrict.
2. As a consequence of the Respondents’ illegal action, the Petitioner—a
qualifiedcandidatefortheofficeofMayor1whoappearedattheDCEC’shearingsettingthe
electiondatethatisthesubjectofthisaction—hasexperiencedaconcreteandparticularized
injurythatisspecifictohim.
3. Petitioner has suffered a distinct and particularized injury as he is being
deniedtherighttoseekelectiveofficeinthereducedtimeperiodcommandedbytheCharter
and will have to expend significant additional resources as a consequence of the
Respondents’ illegal action. Petitioner nowhas towait until August2, 2018 to stand for
electionratherthanuntilMay1,2018orbetweenMay21andMay26,2018asmandatedby
Charter§§15.01&15.03andTenn.CodeAnn.§2-14-102(a)-(b)(1).
4. Campaigns for any office cost time andmoney. Campaigns for the office of
Mayor are particularly costly. The 2015 election for the office of Mayor was the most
1Contemporaneouslywiththefilingofthisaction,Mr.WallaceissubmittinghisnominatingpetitionwiththerequisitenumberofsignaturestomeettheapplicablequalificationsfortheofficeofMayortotheOfficeoftheDCEC.SubsequenttoreceivingtheapplicableapprovalfromDCECevidencingthefactthatMr.WallaceisindeedqualifiedasdeterminedbyDCEC,counselwillimmediatelysupplementthisfilingwithconfirmationthereof.
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expensiveelectioninthehistoryofMetro,withcandidatescollectivelyspendingalmost$17
million.2
5. Petitioner lacks the money to run a campaign for the multiple additional
monthsthathewillberequiredtocampaignasaconsequenceoftheRespondents’illegal
action.SettingtheelectiontothefillthevacancyonAugust2,2018requiresPetitionerto
spendmore money than he possesses and requires him to campaign for an unlawfully
extendedperiodoftime—uptoanadditionalthreemonthsbeyondthetimecommandedby
theCharter.ThisextensionoftimeisaspecificinjurytothePetitionerandisnotcommonto
thegeneralpublic.Theadditionalexpenseandillegalextensionoftimeareaspecialinjury
tothePetitioner’scampaignfortheofficeofMayor.
6. Moreover, Petitioner has a cognizable legal interest in being a qualified
candidatefortheofficeofMayor,anduponhiselection,servingasMayor.Thus,theDCEC’s
failureofDCEC toset a special electionduring the timeperiodmandatedby theCharter
injuresPetitionerbecausehewillbedeniedtheopportunitytobecomeaqualifiedcandidate
andtobecomeMayorinthetimeperiodrequiredbylaw.
7. Petitioner’s injuries can be remedied by the relief sought herein. As an
aggrievedparty,thePetitionerhasstandingbecausehemadeanappearanceviacounselat
themeetingorhearingofDCEC,whichwasheldonFriday,March9,2018.Seegenerally
McFarlandv.Pemberton,530S.W.2d76, (Tenn.2017).Petitionerhasa sufficientspecial
interestorpersonalstakeintheoutcomeoftheDCEC’sdecisionsoastoqualifyas“anyone
whomaybeaggrieved”bythedecisionoftheDCEC.Idat105(“Apartywithstandingtofile
2 https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2015/10/21/nashville-mayoral-races-final-price-tag-168-million/74329134/
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apetitionforwritofcertiorariundersection27-9-101is‘anyonewhomaybeaggrieved’by
theadministrativedecisionatissue.”).
8. RespondentMetroisapoliticalsubdivisionoftheStateofTennessee.Metrois
responsible for theoversight,rulemaking,compliancewithapplicable law,andcontrolof
RespondentDavidsonCountyElectionCommission.
JURISDICTIONANDVENUE
9. ThisCourthasjurisdictionoverthisactionpursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.§§27-
9-101etseq.,Tenn.CodeAnn§29-25-102,andTenn.CodeAnn.§29-14-102.
10. Theacts,errors,oromissionsdescribedhereinwerecommittedinNashville,
DavidsonCounty,Tennessee,whereallpartiesreside.Accordingly,venueisproperpursuant
toTenn.CodeAnn.§20-4-101(a)-(c).
ISSUE
11. OnMarch9,2018,theDCECvotedaffirmativelyonasplit,part-line,3-2vote,3
toholdanelectiontofillthevacancyintheofficeofMayor(the“Vacancy”)onAugust2,2018.
Charter§§15.03requiresaspecialelectiontofillthevacancyatissue.SeeCharter§15.01.
Yet,basedupontheadviceofDCEC’slegalcounselwhoannounceditwasthepositionofthe
MetroDepartmentofLawthattheelectiontofilltheVacancywasnotaspecialelection,the
DCECinsteadsettheelectionforAugust2,2018.Accordingly,thePetitionerhasfiledthis
actiontoremedythatclearlegalerror.
APPLICABLELAW
12. MetroCharter§15.03states,initsentirety,thefollowing:
Sec.15.03.—SpecialElections.
3Thethree(3)RepublicanmembersofDCECvotedyes,andthetwo(2)Democraticmembersvotedno.
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There shall be held a specialmetropolitan election to fill a vacancy for theunexpired term in the office of mayor and in the office of district councilmemberwhenever such vacancy shall existmore than twelve (12)monthspriortothedateofthenextgeneralmetropolitanelection.Thespecialelectionshallbeorderedbythecountycommissionersofelectionsandtheyshallgivenotice thereof asprovidedbyTennesseeCodeAnnotated section2-14-105.When a vacancy exists in the office of vice mayor or in the office ofcouncilmember-at-large,saidofficeshallremainvacantuntilthenextgeneralelectionatwhichtimesuchvacancyshallbefilled;however,innoeventshallaspecialelectionbeheldtofillsuchvacancy.Ifinsuchspecialelectiontofillavacancy for the unexpired term of the office of mayor or district councilmember,orinthegeneralelectionatwhichtimeavacancyintheofficeofvicemayororcouncilmember-at-large,nocandidateshallreceiveamajorityofallthevotes cast for suchoffice, a runoff election shallbeheld five (5)weekssubsequenttothefirstspecialelectiontofillavacancyinaccordancewiththeprovisions hereinbefore set forth in the case of a general metropolitanelection. The provisions ofsection 15.01hereof with respect to voting ingeneralmetropolitanelectionsandwithrespecttoqualifyingasacandidateshallapplytospecialelectionsandtogeneralelectionsatwhichtimeavacancyisfilled.
Thefirstsentencethereinisclearandaspertinenthere,readsasfollows:
There shall be held a specialmetropolitan election to fill a vacancy for theunexpiredtermintheofficeofmayor…wheneversuchvacancyshallexistmore than twelve (12) months prior to the date of the next generalmetropolitanelection.(Emphasisadded).
13. MetroCharter§15.01states,initsentirety,thefollowing:
Sec.15.01. -Whengeneralmetropolitanelectionsheld;whomayvote;qualificationsofcandidates.Forthepurposeofelectingamayor,vice-mayor,five(5)councilmen-at-largeand thirty-five (35) district councilmen, there shall be held on the firstThursdayinApril,1966,andonthefirstThursdayinAugustof1971,andeachfour(4)yearsthereafter,ageneralmetropolitanelection.Atsuchgeneralelectioneachvotershallbeentitledtovoteforone(1)candidateformayor,one(1)candidateforvice-mayor,five(5)candidatesforcouncilmen-at-large, and one (1) candidate for district councilman from the districtwhereinthevoterresides;andthenamesofallqualifiedcandidatesshallbesoplacedontheballotorvotingmachineastoaccordthevotersuchright.Allpersons who are lawfully registered and who are qualified to vote formembersofthegeneralassemblyoftheStateofTennesseeshallbequalifiedto vote in themetropolitan elections. The name of any candidate shall beincludedontheballotorthevotingmachineswhenawrittenpetitionsigned
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byat least twenty-five(25)qualifiedvotersshallsorequestandwhensaidpetitionshallbefiledwiththecountycommissionersofelectionatleastwithinthenumberofdayspriortotheelectionprovidedbygenerallawforthefilingofqualifyingpetitionsofcandidatesforelectiontocountyoffices(emphasisadded).
14. MetroCharter§15.04,statesinitsentirety,thefollowing:Sec.15.04.-Applicabilityofgeneralelectionlaws.Thegeneralelectionlawsofthestateshallbeapplicabletoallmetropolitanelections,exceptasotherwiseprovidedinthisarticle.
15. Tenn.CodeAnn.§2-14-101provides:
2-14-101.Specialelections--Whenrequired.Specialelectionsshallbeheldwhenavacancyinanyofficeisrequiredtobefilledbyelectionatothertimesthanthosefixedforgeneralelections.
16. Tenn.CodeAnn.§2-14-102(a)provides:
2-14-102.Timeofholdingspecialelection.(a)Specialelectionsshallbeheldnotlessthanseventy-five(75)daysnormorethaneighty(80)daysaftertheofficerorbodychargedwithcallingtheelectionreceivesnoticeofthefactsrequiringthecall.Anelectionforanofficeshallbeheldonthesamedayineverycountyinwhichitisheld.(b)(1) If it isnecessary toholdaspecial election to fill a vacant seat in theUnited States house of representatives, a vacancy in a county office, or avacancyinanymunicipaloffice,andthedateforsuchelection,asestablishedunder subsection (a), falls within thirty (30) days of an upcoming regularprimaryorgeneral electionbeingheld in thatdistrict, thegovernor,or thecountyelectioncommission,asspecifiedin§2-14-103,mayissuethewritofelection for the special election for the date which will coincide with theregularprimaryorgeneralelection.
SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF ARBITRARY, CAPRICIOUS, OR ILLEGAL ACTIONS
17. Themeeting of the DCEC on Friday,March 9, 2018was not a substantive
discussiononthepositionsoftheCommissioners.Instead,asreflectedincollectiveExhibit
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No. 1, the outcome of the meeting was established prior to the commencement of the
meeting.
18. Specifically, the agenda for the March 9 meeting of DCEC stated that the
purposeofthemeetingwastothe“[a]ddofficeofMayortoAugust2,2018ElectionBallot.”
Petitioner’s qualifying petition,whichwas picked upon themorning of Friday,March 9,
2018,alreadysetthedateoftheelectiontobeAugust2,2018.However,theDCECdidnot
haveitsmeetingtosettheelectiondateuntiltheafternoonofFriday,March9,2018.
19. Followingitspredeterminedagenda,theDCECsetanelectiononadatethatis
forbiddenbylaw.
20. Respondents’above-describedactionswerearbitrary,capricious,andillegal.
WRITOFMANDAMUS
21. ThiscourthasjurisdictiontoissueawritofmandamuspursuanttoTenn.Code
Ann.§§16-10-101etseq.,Tenn.CodeAnn.§§29-25-101etseq.,andTenn.CodeAnn.§5-1-
107.
22. Petitionerseeksaperemptorywritofmandamusbecausehisrighttotherelief
soughthasbeenclearlyestablished.
23. TheDCEChasacleardutytoperformtheactassetforthherein,andthereis
nootheradequateandcompletemethodofobtainingreliefheisentitledunderthelawto
receive.
24. Petitioner’sonlyadequateandcompletemethodofobtainingreliefisbythe
CourtissuingawritofmandamuscompellingtheDCECto:
(1)setaspecialelectionfortheVacancyintheofficeofMayoronadatepursuantto
Tenn.CodeAnn.§2-14-102(a)-(b)(1);
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(2)setthequalifyingdeadlinenosoonerthanMarch22,2018orApril12,2018;and
(3)topublishlegalnoticeofthespecialelectionpursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.§2-14-
105.
PRAYERFORRELIEF
WHEREFORE,PREMISESCONSIDERED,thePetitionerpraysforthefollowing:
1. That proper process issue, service thereof be perfected, and Respondent
requiredtoanswer.
2. ThattheCourtissueawritofcertiorarivoidingtheDCEC’srulingasarbitrary,
capricious,andillegal.
3. That the Court declare, pursuant toTenn. CodeAnn. § 29-14-102, that the
DCECacted illegallywhen itset theelection to fill thevacancy in theofficeofMayor for
August2,2018.
4. ThatPetitioner’s attorneys’ fees, court costs, fees, and taxesbepaidby the
RespondentsduetoRespondents’itsarbitrary,capricious,andillegalactions.
5. That any extraordinary relief be granted to Petitioner aswarranted by the
plainlyarbitrary,capricious,orillegalactionsoftheDCEC,asdictatedbytheCourt.
6. That the Court command the DCEC to: (1) to set a special election for the
VacancyintheofficeofMayoronadatepursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.§2-14-102(a)-(b)(1);
(2)setthequalifyingdeadlinenosoonerthanMarch22,2018orApril12,2018;and(3)to
publishlegalnoticeofthespecialelectionpursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.§2-14-105;and
7. That the Court award the Petitioner any and all other additional relief to
whichheisentitled.
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Respectfullysubmitted,
By: __________________________________________________ JamieR.Hollin,BPRNo.025460 511RosebankAvenue Nashville,TN37206 Tel.615-870-4650 [email protected] AttorneyforPetitioner
Surety Iamsuretyforcostsinthiscauseinanamountnottoexceed$1,000. __________________________________________ JamieR.Hollin
THISISTHEFIRSTREQUESTFOREXTRAORDINARYRELIEFINTHISMATTER.
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Verification
STATEOFTENNESSEE ) )COUNTYOFDAVIDSON ) I,LudyeN.Wallace,havereadtheforegoingandknowthecontentsthereof.Ideclareunderpenaltyofperjurythattheforegoingistrueandcorrecttothebestofmyknowledge,informationandbelief. __________________________________________________ LudyeN.Wallace Sworntoandsubscribedbeforemethis____________dayofMarch,2018. ________________________________________ NotaryPublic MyCommissionExpires: ________________________________
ExhibitNo.1
NOTICE
OF
DAVIDSON COUNTY ELECTION
COMMISSION MEETING
The Davidson County Election Commission will hold
a “Special Called” meeting
on
Friday, March 9, 2018 at 3:30 p.m.
Metro Southeast Building (MSE)
1417 Murfreesboro Pike
Davidson County Election Commission Conference
Room
Attest: Jeff Roberts, Administrator of Elections
Agenda
1. Add office of Mayor to August 2, 2018 Election Ballot
2. Review Cards