E-Filed 04/23/2013 @ 01:56:01 P M Honorable Robert Esdale Clerk Of The Court

Case No.

1120465

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA

HUGH MclNl:n:SH7 e t a l . , Appellants,

BETH CHAPMAN,

i n h e r c a p a c i t y as S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e , Appellee.

ON APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ALABAMA CV 2012-1053

BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

IE

ND

FR

DOCSBHM\1933770\1

OF

TH EF O

T h o m a s A. W o o d a l l B a r r y A. R a g s d a l e S I R O T E & PERMUTT, 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 Birmingham, AL 35255-5727 Tel.: (205) 930-5100 Fax: (205) 930-5335 E-mail: twoodall@sirote.com A t t o r n e y s f o r amicus curiae Alabama D e m o c r a t i c P a r t y

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

T A B L E OF CONTENTS T A B L E OF CONTENTS STATEMENT ARGUMENT I . OF I N T E R E S T OF A M I C U S C U R I A E "StrMMARY OF ARGUMENT":": " " : " : \ " " : " " ; T ~ " : T " " ; " " " : : " " " r

OM
i i s not an Submitted

i i 1 2 3

NO A L A B A M A COURT HAS 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 ANY MATTER CONCERNING THE R E - E L E C T I O N OF P R E S I D E N T BARACK OBAMA 3 THE C L A I M S FOR P R E - E L E C T I O N R E L I E F WITH R E S P E C T THE 2 0 1 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 MOOT TO 7

II. III. IV.

THERE I S NO C R E D I B L E E V I D E N C E THAT P R E S I D E N T OBAMA WAS BORN ANYWHERE OTHER THAN H A W A I I 10 THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS NO OBLIGATION TO INVESTIGATE UNFOUNDED, UNSUBSTANTIATED AND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED CONSPIRACY THEORIES REGARDING A P R E S I D E N T I A L CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBILITY FOR O F F I C E 15

A. A C o u n t y S h e r i f f from Source" o f A n y t h i n g i n Alabama

TH

EF OG
Arizona

CONCLUSION

OF

B. The A f f i d a v i t s and Other Documents I n a d m i s s i b l e and Not Worthy o f B e l i e f C E R T I F I C A T E OF S E R V I C E

BO W .C

"Official 16 are 19 21 22

FR

IE ND

i
DOCSBHM\1933770\i

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

CASES

B a r b e r v. Community O u t r e a c h , I n c . , 42 S o . 3 d 6 5 , 7 1 ( A l a . 2 0 0 9 ) B r y a n 6 S o . 3 d 4 9 1 , 502 ( A l a . 2008)

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- Bank,

Page(s)

Dennis v. Scarborough, 360 S o . 2 d 2 7 8 , 279 ( A l a . 1978) Etheridge v. State ex r e l . Olson, 730 S o . 2 d 1179 ( A l a . 1999) Ex p a r t e Seymour, 946 S o . 2 d 536,538

20

F a r m e r v . Hypo H o l d i n g s , I n c . , 675 S o . 2 d 387,390 ( A l a . 1996)

TH EF O

( A l a . 2006)

15

G o v e r n m e n t S t r e e t Lumber Co., I n c . v . AmSouth N.A. , 5 5 3 S o . 2 d 6 8 , 78 ( A l a . 1 9 8 9 )

19

OF

H o l l i s t e r v. Soetoro, 258 F.R.D. 1 (D.D.C. 2 0 0 9 ) , aff'd, 368 F e d . A p p x . 154, 2010 WL 1169793 (B.C. C i r . 2010) M i n g k i d v . U.S. A t t ' y G e n . , 468 F . 3 d 7 6 3 , 768 (11^^ C i r . 2006) Sears v. Carson, 551 S o . 2 d 1054, 1056 ( A l a . 1989) S m i t h V. A l l e n , 5 0 2 F . 3 d 1 2 5 5 , 1 2 6 7 (11^^ C i r . 2 0 0 7 ) S t a t e D e p t . o f Revenue v . A r n o l d , 909 S o . 2 d 192, 194 ( A l a . 2005)

14

ND

IE

15

FR

Townsend v. G e n e r a l Motors Corp., 642 S o . 2 d 4 1 1 , 423 ( A l a . 1994)

20
ii

DOCSBHM\1933770\1

Townson v . S t o n i c h e r , 933 S o . 2 d 1062, 1066 ( A l a . ) U. S. V . C l a r k ,

15

249 F.Supp. 720, 728 (M.D. A l a . 1965)

STATUTES

" A i a 7 " " c o d : e 1 9 7 5 " ; " 1 1 7 - 1 6 - 4 0 (27"":::::::::";:::::;":"::::::::":::^ Ala. C o d e 1 9 7 5 , 17-16-44

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States States

17

O T H E R AUTHORITIES

Rule

56(e),

A l a . R. C i v , P 902

20

Ala.R.Evid.

13

Attorney Honolulu Honolulu

G e n e r a l O p i n i o n No. 1 9 9 8 - 2 0 0 Advertiser,

TH EF O

Alabama C o n s t i t u t i o n

. . 3

...15,16,18 12 12

A u g . 1 3 , 1 9 6 1 , p . B-6 Aug. 14, 1961

Star-Bulletin,

A r t i c l e I I , S e c t i o n 1, o f t h e U n i t e d Constitution

OF

Amendment X X I I , Constitution

S e c t i o n 1, o f t h e U n i t e d

9 18

www. s h e r i f f s . o r g / c o n t e n t / f a q

FR

IE

ND

iii DOCSBIIM\1933770\1

STATEMENT OF INTEREST OF AMICUS CURIAE

Amicus in this

Curiae appeal

Alabama because

Democratic

Party

has an seek

the Appellants

c-h-aXlenge----th-e----eli-g-ibiXi-ty----0-f-----Er-es.i-dent.- B a r a c k appeared President. eligibility certificate nomination So.3d on the ballot as party the

"A p o l i t i c a l of

has t h e r i g h t and to

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refuse a Bryan addition, rumors

Democratic

i t s nominees

.C
to to the that to and

Obama^__.to have... nominee f o r determine issue a of 6

i f one h a s been 502 ( A l a .

entered." In

OG

of nomination

o r t o revoke

certificate v. Hubbard,

Democratic Alabama a

Party

has an

EF

491,

2008).

interest

i n ensuring

party's

nominees regarding

based

TH

Secretaries

of State

are not allowed

on i n t e r n e t

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EN

DS

OF

assertions

their

qualifications.

OM
herein

interest to

Alabama future

disqualify unfounded

1
DOCSBHM\1933770\1

SUJdMARY OF ARGUMENT

baseless seek court

attack

on to

the e l i g i b i l i t y the Office of

reelection acted

correctly, jurisdiction

because

subject-matter the reelection claims

regarding

of the President. f o r pre-election candidates

Goode's 2012

relief are

presidential there

simply, do

i s absolutely the reality

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nothing

t o change

of President

second

term of o f f i c e .

FR

IE

ND

OF

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of President Obama President. The no Alabama court any matter Furthermore, with Mclnnish respect moot. clearly any Alabama court Obama's e l e c t i o n

The

trial

court

dismissed

Mclnnish

and

Goode's to

trial has

concerning and

to the Stated can to a

2
DOCSBIiM\1933770\l

I. NO ALABAMA COURT REGARDING ANY MATTER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

HAS SUBJECT-MATTER JURISDICTION CONCERNING THE RE-ELECTION OF

I n November President by

2012, P r e s i d e n t Barack States

of the United a n d Goode,

o f America. duly

Mclnnish

the electors

and,

as theworld 2 013,

knows.

P r e s i d e n t Obama w a s i n a u g u r a t e d i n a n d Goode invite this

January Court

Now, h o w e v e r , M c I n n i s h t h e scope

t o exceed

TH EF O
should jurisdiction

of i t sjurisdiction or results

matters 2012

concerning This

t h e conduct Court

election.

decline the invitation. concerns . . a court's power

"Subject-matter to decide certain from Ex

OF

types

of cases.

derived Code."

t h e Alabama Seymour,

Constitution 946 So.2d

parte

2006) (emphasis constitutional order 2012

ND

i n original) .

No p r o v i s i o n o f A l a b a m a l a w , a court theauthority to following the

or statutory, gives sought b y M c l n n i s h

IE

therelief

FR

election,

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voted . That and 536, the a n d Goode

ARGUMENT

Obama w a s r e - e l e c t e d As acknowledged i n December

by addressing

o f t h e November

power i s Alabama

538 ( A l a .

3
DOCSBHM\!933770\1

Article Constitution born citizen

I I ,

Section that shall

1,

of

the

United except a

States natural of

be

eligible

to

the office " [t]he he In

question natural words, has

regarding born

[President]

Obama

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i s whether a t 9. brief, to hold Obama's relief: according to "the Secretary certificates relief.

President."

According

to Mclnnish

a n d Goode,

citizen." question since

Appellants'

they

hiseligibility 2 0 0 9.

the o f f i c e

occupied

January of

In order

to resolve the eligibility,

so-called Mclnnish

"question" a n d Goode s e e k

the following

Appellants' and Goode, .

brief,

OF

"We u r g e n t l y a s k t h i s honorable Court to grant this writ ordering the Secretary [of State] to o b t a i n b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e s from t h e candidates f o r President of the United States f o r the election w h i c h was h e l d i n N o v e m b e r , 2 0 1 2 . . . . I f such birth certificates are not forthcoming w i t h i n 45 days after order of this Court, the votes c e r t i f i e d f o r any candidate n o t responding should be decertified." at

TH

3 9.

EF OG

President

Further, direct

this

Court

should

IE ND

to require

a l l presidential fide

candidates birth

i n the recent to her an

2012 for

election

t o submit bona No

verification."

p r o v i s i o n o f Alabama any such

law gives

FR

Alabama court

t h e power t o o r d e r

OM

provides

"[n]o person

core

i s a other he

Mclnnish of State

4
DOCSBHM\!933770\1

"This elections review." 198 9) , interfere it t o do

Court normally Sears Indeed,

has

been fall

unequivocal within 551

in

stating

that

v. "a

Carson, court

does

i n an e l e c t i o n r e s u l t unless so." Etheridge v. State ex

1179, 1975,

1182

( A l a . 1999) . S e c t i o n that be the

provides may

eligibility following the

officials as any

contested Goode admit,

Mclnnish federal of at

and

TH EF O

office, President

and

specifically the United they

Office brief, 1975,

of

33.

Furthermore, eliminates

as

17-16-44

jurisdiction a t 34.^

elections." is undisputed

Appellants' that

OF

brief, i s no

there now

statutory

Mclnnish

a n d G o o d e may

challenge

President.

^ 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 b y any j u d g e or c o u r t t o e n t e r t a i n any proceeding f o r ascertaining the legality, c o n d u c t , o r r e s u l t s o f any e l e c t i o n , e x c e p t so far as authority to do so shall be specially and s p e c i f i c a l l y e n u m e r a t e d a n d s e t down b y s t a t u t e . " 5

FR

DOCSBHM\1933770\1

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So,2d 1054, 1056 not have a jurisdiction statute r e l . Olson, 730 1 7 - 1 6 - 4 0 (2) , A l a b a m a of certain their "statute does does not not mention States." admit, to also challenge I n other basis upon the e l i g i b i l i t y

do n o t

the scope of

judicial (Ala. to

authorizes So.2d Code

Alabama

election, but, mention the

Appellants' " A l a . Code other

words, i t which of the

Faced Mclnnish of to their

with

an

insurmountable

jurisdictional

hurdle,

claims, the

arguing

that of

question the

legality of

impact the

'conduct' of

the election,

results

the election." own words

However, purpose seek. Obama's Secretary in the

their of t h e i r Mclnnish

belie

l a w s u i t and the nature and Goode by seek to

eligibility of State] 2 012

having

to require election

EF

certificates lawsuit i s

to her f o r v e r i f i c a t i o n . " about the eligibility

TH

recent

p a r t i c i p a t e [d] birth that if a a

OF

i n the

election." not satisfy

OG BO W .C OM
their the " l a w s u i t does not election, nor does n o r does Appellants' this brief, at description of of the r e l i e f challenge the Court "[direct a l l presidential submit bona to fide I d . , a t 10. of at those 36. Id, , I f such of the Secretary he f o r the office such a birth sought, the votes f o r such of the a candidate conduct of concern

a n d Goode

r e s o r t t o a complete

mxscharacterization seek i t

i t contest 36.

the

they

President the

candidates birth " [T]his [who] a

certificate candidate

does

State or

was

eligible

ND
candidate

does

not provide have

certificate, candidate

"decertified."

IE

Mclnnish

and Goode

would

I d . , a t 39. the eligibility who the 6

FR

Issues on

regarding a ballot

appeared

clearly

DOCSBHM\]933770\1

election, the

and t h e r e l i e f No address or

sought

could court

affect has

the results of given the by

authority Mclnnish

to

the post-election t o grant

a n d Goode

Consequently,

the t r i a l

court properly dismissed

II. THE CLAIMS FOR PRE-ELECTION RELIEF 2012 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE MOOT.

Eight of State

months would

after not

Mclnnish

TH EF O

investigate he

presidential 9.) the In their Secretary

candidate, petition,

a n d Goode requested

they

of State

t o demand

candidates birth from

. . . cause

a certified

certificate the

OF

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 official i n charge and that of

government

depository such being

i n which

i ti s stored," be made] a

ND

[certificate placed

prerequisite

on t h e Alabama b a l l o t Appellants' "issue

general

IE

election." that

brief,

FR

requested injunction

the court

a p r e l i m i n a r y and permanent on t h e 2 012 Alabama 7

preventing

t h e placement

DOCSBHM\1933770\1

GB OW .C OM
issues raised the relief they t h e case. WITH RESPECT TO learned the that eligibility filed that this of case. "the court that copy of their bona the to their f o r t h e November a t 1. Further,

election.

Alabama

been

request.

THE

the Secretary any (C. order

a l l [presidential] fide

directly record

"thereceipt of name

6, 2 0 1 2 they

ballot

until

their Id. By

eligibility their own

had

been

conclusively

Goode

question that

whether one

President to the and

Obama office

meets of

must to

be

natural born verification doubt, to the

citizen, of his

they

filed

.C
this v. 200 9) any no court or

requirement

elected

require any

eligibility. for

BO W
longer the 502 U.S. court F. 3 d (Ala. can be can the be 2 012 Alabama conduct,

Id. , at

Without with moot. "

their 2012

claims

pre-election candidates

respect

presidential

case

is with

moot

when

i t no to

OG

presents can

controversy meaningful (11*'^ C i r , F.3d 763,

respect

EF

which Allen, v.

2007) 768

(quoting

TH

relief.'"

Smith

v.

Mingkid See 71

Att'y

( l l " ^ C i r . 2006)),

a l s o Barber n.5

Outreach, that the

Inc.,

OF

42

So.3d

65,

question

is

whether

there

relief).

Both or

DS

legally

and

factually, with respect

there to no

EN

effective As

relief already delve

presidential has the

FR I

election.

demonstrated, into the no

authority of that

to

legality, relief

election.

Because

is available after

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are a 1255, Gen. ,

determined."

admission,

Mclnnish

and

the

President action 9-10. relief now

live give 1267 468

Community (stating effective

meaningful

results the 8

DOCSBHM\1933770\1

election

with

regard

to

the candidates,

ipso

facto,

the

President nominee the

Obama

appeared

on t h e Alabama

of the Democratic were

Party.

results

certified votes

long

Alabama's popular majority President inaugurated until

electoral

were

vote, of

f o r t h e nominee the nation's and, thus, will serve

of

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ballot The e l e c t i o n ago. Although cast, consistent with the Republican votes were Party, cast reelected. He this country's nothing that Thus, this reality. and Goode's again to the office 1, o f t h e U n i t e d shall twice." Alabama of an ballot as repetition f o r such

pre-election

claims

i n v o l v i n g the candidates

a r e moot.

as t h e

was h e l d a n d a l l of the a

electoral he was as

for

Obama and

has been

TH EF O
There to

president any any

January court

2 017.

i s absolutely

Alabama action

c a n do

change

a court might the

take

w o u l d be o f no meaning o r e f f e c t . of Mclnnish scorn, of

Finally, President President. Constitution the office

obj e c t cannot

Obama,

OF

be

elected Section

Amendment X X I I ,

States

provides

that

" [n]o person more than on

be e l e c t e d t o Consequently, a

ND
of

President

President

Obama's

appearance

presidential

IE

candidate nothing

i s not capable

and, a

FR

therefore,

involving

his eligibility

9
DOCSBHM\i933770\!

candidacy avoiding

can fall review"

within

t h e "capable t o t h e mootness

of repetition yet

I I I . THERE IS NO CREDIBLE EVIDENCE THAT BORN ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HAWAII.

PRESIDENT OBAMA

Thesepeoplecouldhavepersonally witnessed Obama be ing born ou t of an appl e pie, in the middle of a Kansas wheat f i e l d , while Toby Keith sang the National Anthem ~ and they'd still think he was a Kenyan Muslim, " -Jimmy Mclnnish the Secretary with a n d Goode r e p e a t e d l y o f State Kimmel

a n d t h e Montgomery "credible evidence"

EF OG

assert

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that they County that In admissible them. evidence, t o interfere on nothing

Court

substantial

Obama's Mclnnish

birth and

certificate Goode

i s a

"forgery."

whatsoever allegations court

and merely w h i c h have

TH

submitted

no

repeated

discredited

rumors

andtribunal

OF

been

rejected by every a u t h o r i t a t i v e

that

hasreviewed any real of State

national

IE ND

Goode

asked

Instead

o f producing the Secretary

Mclnnish and with a

Presidential

election that

based

unsubstantiated t o do w i t h a n y t o do w i t h

"opinions"

and "beliefs"

have

FR

kind

of proper

forensic analysis, and everything political agenda,

a jaundiced

andjaded

DOCSBHM\1933770\]

OM

exception

doctrine.

WAS

provided Circuit

President reality, evidence and

10

In Obama's a

order birth

f o r one

t o accept

the claim

that

President into

conspiracy theory the

so v a s t

and b y z a n t i n e of

taxes

imagination i n order Goode

importantly, Mclnnish and

to entertain others of

and

selectively make

ignore

undeniable clear that

facts.

i t abundantly Hawaii there

Barack

Honolulu, First, was 1961:

on August

4, 1 9 6 1 .

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 i n the local Honolulu

TH EF O

publicly

announced

1 Brills,

IE

ND

OF

?f--;/f'^Sti:'"l

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se... iB.*ii- .iA-y-a

DOCSBHM\!933770\1

GB OW .C OM
that reasonable minds. the theory advanced their i l k , one The undisputed was Obama born 1 !

certificate

i s a f o r g e r y , one has t o buy

i t sincerely More by

has t o facts i n

birth

newspapers i n

11

See also

Honolulu Honolulu

(HI)

Advertiser, Star-Bulletin,

Aug. Aug.

13,

1961, 14, that

p. 1961.

B-6; As

See a

consequence, birth

any

theory is

that

concludes has the one to

the

certificate

forged that

to

start

incredible than the to they to forty

acknowledgment years ago.

conspiracy has to

Further, went

W
in he of and and See in assume

also believe

President's falsely were

parents

the

BO
later the has by Dr. of to

extraordinary Hawaii

announce convinced

their that

son's four

birth

EF OG

decades born

prove the

that

he

was

natural

citizen

become States.

first

African-American

President

Second, on

i t is also

TH

undisputed has

that

State

multiple and

occasions verified copy

officially Hawaii

certified original,

OF

that of

paper

President

Obama's

certificate 2008 and

showing 27,

his 2009

birth

i n Honolulu.

ND

July

Statements

Chiyome Health,

hereto

IE

Director

of

Hawaii

State A.

Department

as

Exhibit

Anyone

believing has

FR

Goode's b i z a r r e

conspiracy

theory

DOCSBHM\]933770\1

.C OM
with began would in order the of maintains 1961 October Mclnnish that

President' s the

more that

lengths because need to

United

Hawaii

unequivocally the birth 31,

Fukino, attached and

dozens

12

of

career

employees of V i t a l

of the Hawaii

Department

of Health

and

Third, of Health,

i n 2 011, Dr.

the Director J. Fuddy,

of the Hawaii at

President, copies Birth. of See

provided the

the

White

House

with

President's 25, 2 011

original

OG BO W
letter from as additional formally birth true verified 2012 and hereto as certifications the very Mclnnish that the

Certificate Dr.

.C
two B. May was and

Loretta

the request

April

President certified

Obama, copies

attached

hereto

Exhibit

a r e s e l f - a u t h e n t i c a t i n g under Alabama law. 902. at least

See A l a . R . E v i d . Fourth, 2011, the on

EF

two

occasions that

certified on the State

copy

of the President's House paper website birth May i s a

TH

State

of

Hawaii

certificate and c o r r e c t maintained

t h e White original, of

OF

certificate 22,

Hawa i i . of

See

Verifications Indeed, the one

Birth,

attached

ND

of

those of

formal of

Sheriff

IE

Secretary

State

Arizona,

Arpaio

calls i n

home. to accept Goode's

FR

Finally,

order

conspiracy

theory,

one h a s t o assume

DOCSBHM\ 193377011

OM
of Fuddy 31, Exhibit issued state

Registrar

Statistics

a r e i n on t h e p l o t .

Department of the

certified Live to

These

since the

posted copy of by the 2012 C. to that

President's 13

forged

birth

certificate during a

was

so convincing primary and that

that and

i t was n o t two general

election Clinton, evidence was

campaigns John

f o r President nor Mitt

neither

McCain

Romney anyone

could that

necessary to

t o convince hold the

ineligible States. truth i n who a

office

of

W
do of so state to

President

United The

i s

that

the

"birther" or

BO
the money of efforts process should

movement law.

legitimacy individuals^ Obama i s

either still

the

EF OG

facts

promote

the p o s i t i o n that citizen case

not

natural

born

lawyers personal courts

who

use the cause

TH

ideological

reasons

(or, i n the

the handful

to raise Scores

on t h e i n t e r n e t , and federal the of

financial have

gain).

OF

summarily

rejected

judiciary this tiny

intervene cabal

i n the p o l i t i c a l This Court

of z e a l o t s .

FR

^ A s o n e c o u r t h a s n o t e d : "Many p e o p l e , p e r h a p s a s m a n y a s a couple o f dozen, f e e l deeply about t h i s i s s u e . " H o l l i s t e r v. Soetoro, 2 5 8 F.R.D. 1, 2 (D.D.C. 2 0 0 9 ) , aff'd, 3 68 F e d . A p p x . 1 5 4 , 2 0 1 0 WL 1 1 6 9 7 9 3 (D.C. C i r , 2 0 1 0 ) . 14
DOCSBHM\1933770\1

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muster their of has The for have on b e h a l f do l i k e w i s e .

challenged

grueling

Hillary the

opponent the

no few

President purely of

tortured

reading

of Attorney

General's

Opinion General

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Bill added) .

The

entirety

of the Appellants'

case

i s premised No.

200.^ I n O p i n i o n office opined:

No. 1 9 9 8 - 2 0 0 , A t t o r n e y

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might have

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G e n . Op. N o . 1 9 9 8 - 2 0 0 two d i s c r e t e the

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The Code d o e s 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 to d e t e r m i n e whether each nominee meets a l l t h e qualifications f o rh i s or her particular office. 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. By o f f i c i a l k n o w l e d g e I mean knowledge g a i n e d from an official source arising from t h e performance o f d u t i e s p r e s c r i b e d b y law. . . . I f the Secretary of 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 of S t a t e should n o t c e r t i f y t h e candidate.

EF

at 3 of

OG

(emphas i s

OF

examples of

the circumstances

Secretary

State

Of c o u r s e , as t h i s Court i s w e l l aware, "an a t t o r n e y general'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 o t b i n d i n g on t h i s C o u r t and 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 S o . 2 d 3 8 7 , 390 ( A l a . 1996) . S e e a l s o T o w n s o n v . S t o n i c h e r , 9 3 3 S o . 2 d 1 0 6 2 , 1 0 6 6 ( A l a . ) ("An a t t o r n e y general's o p i n i o n i s n o t b i n d i n g on t h i s Court and 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 S o . 2 d 1 9 2 , 194 ( A l a . 2005) ( A t t o r n e y General "opinions are not controlling, b u t merely advisory, and serve to offer p r o t e c t i o n from l i a b i l i t y only t o 'such 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 . " ) . 15

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IV. THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS NO OBLIGATION TO INVESTIGATE UNFOUNDED, UNSUBSTANTIATED AND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED CONSPIRACY THEORIES REGARDING A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE'S E L I G I B I L I T Y FOR OFFICE.

on a

1998 Pryor's

Aft er under

"official

knowledge" to file

of a candidate's

lack

of qualifications

(failure t o meet a

statutorily 200

established filing

deadline), Opinion

concludes:

Id.

a t 4. Opinion No. 1998-200, State

therefore, clearly has no duty to she

OG

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that such and

The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e d o e s n o t h a v e a n o b l i g a t i o n to evaluate a l l of the qualifications of the nominees of p o l i t i c a l parties and independent candidates f o r state offices prior to c e r t i f y i n g such nominees and c a n d i d a t e s t o t h e probate judges p u r s u a n t t o s e c t i o n s [17-9-3] a n d [17-13-22] o f t h e Code o f Alabama.

the

Secretary

of of

EF

investigate has

knowledge" not of

from

an " o f f i c i a l The

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qualifications

candidates

unless

source"

qualified. State

information provided case i s about

t o the Secretary "official

i n the present

OF

as f a r from

knowledge" A.

as you cang e t .

EN D

A County S h e r i f f f r o m A r i z o n a i s n o t an " O f f i c i a l S o u r c e " o f A n y t h i n g i n Alabama.

In

support duty

of their to

claim that

the Secretary

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has

investigate and Goode

President slavishly

certificate, affidavit of

Mclnnish a

politically

motivated

DOCSBHM\1933770\1

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provides of Obama's rely on

required ethics

d i s c l o s u r e s and f a i l u r e

No. 1 9 9 8 -

that the

"official

candidate i s

State birth the

ethically 16

challenged {"Arpaio"). racial Arpaio under he

county

sheriff

from from

Arizona

named

Joe

Arpaio

profiling convened

and a group

mistreating

prisoners

in his

t h e name o f t h e " C o l d the authority into I t was who that was a a under

Case

Posse." Arpaio law to

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him Obama's to the

of h i s p o l i t i c a l

supporters

claims

has

Arizona posse"

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to assist posse" expressed their President no a authority county that of source" with "official authority legal to do authority to According

assemble

supporters duties.^ supporters "belief" certificate

"volunteer

this

"volunteer

of Arpaio

ultimately the copy

of

"forgery." Goode

assertion Arizona Alabama regarding office. Alabama Alabama

that

the

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Mclnnish

and

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cite

"beliefs"

sheriff

Secretary a Arpaio and

OF

i s the type

of " o f f i c i a l of State

c a n imbue t h e knowledge" to hold i n

political has no

candidate's legal

eligibility

anything

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certainly i n this

has

no

* Alabama has an unfortunate history with the use of s h e r i f f ' s " p o s s e s . " S e e , e . g . , U. S. v . C l a r k , 2 4 9 F . S u p p . 720, 728 (M.D. A l a . 1965) ( e n j o i n i n g county sheriff's v o l u n t a r y posse from 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 the constitutional rights of black voters). 17
DOCSBHM\i933770\J

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law

State.

OM
for

Under pressure

a federal investigation for care,

i n 2 011 that his

i n his

political collective birth

their from

enforce National

Sheriffs United Attorney

Association, States, See

there

are

3,083

sheriffs

in

the

General's as

Opinion the

No. Alabama

1998-200

interpreted commence county an

requiring

Secretary one an of

investigation decides to or

any

time

sheriffs

express

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by only to when her she by find on the and of to

opinion

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cannot of State those about Mclnnish by time law." that evaluate by the her that Secretary Goode information act. As

www.sheriffs.org/content/fag.

Surely, be

to

3,000 a

candidate's Nor Goode Opinion

qualifications the from

eligibility. submitted

does

information official makes has

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the duty is of received to scope required

and As the the

"arise No.

duties clear, any

prescribed

1998-200 of State of

Secretary

qualifications information prescribed and of

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candidates

FO

receives duties Mclnnish Secretary official

during by law."

the

performance

"official

G o o d e was State

OF
neither the Court

The

information nor her

o f f e r e d up

created of

during

course law." were

performing

Even General State, not

ND

"duties

p r e s c r i b e d by i f this

inclined

Attorney of

IE

Opinion

No.

1998-200

i s binding by

the

information within the

offered

Mclnnish

does on a 18

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fall the

very of

limited is

which

Secretary

State

DOCSBHM\i933770\i

result, to

Secretary an

Chapman

had

no

legal into was

duty

or

obligation Obama's dismiss

qualifications this case.

and the C i r c u i t

Court

correct

Finally, information Court the are would See, that

i t i s submitted

also

worth

noting

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that 8 effort of an See N.A. , 553 do not

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 I n a d m i s s i b l e and Not Worthy o f B e l i e f .

constituted

admissible

TH EF OG

by Mclnnish

a n d Goode

evidence.

In p a r t i c u l a r , both Zullo that court. belief "My ("the

Arpaio filled

affidavit with

and t h a t

of h i s sidekick Michael and subjective beliefs

supposition

n e v e r be a d m i t t e d e.g., Arpaio and

i n t o evidence at ^

i n any Alabama ( " i t i s my committed"; at ^ 8

affidavit fraud

7,

forgery

OF

was

likely

investigators Hawaii

and I b e l i e v e " ) ; Z u l l o a f f i d a v i t Health i s a has engaged

These

ND

investigators kinds

Department of believe

i n what

systematic statements

of

subjective

"beliefs"

IE

are c l e a r l y I n c . v.

inadmissible. AmSouth Bank,

Government So. 2 d

FR

Lumber (Ala.

Co. ,

1989) ( " S p e c u l a t i o n of personal

and s u b j e c t i v e knowledge and

b e l i e f s are not the satisfy the 19

equivalent

DOCSBHM\1933770\1

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to none of i n the to 68,

initiate

investigation

President

are

the

Circuit

Sheriff's hide").

individual's Street 78

requirement based and upon

of

Rule

56(e),

A.R.Civ.P. belief are a

Moreover, essentially motion

matters hearsay

thus

are

insufficient See (Ala. also 1978) are do that

to

support v.

for

2 78,

2 79

{"Ordinarily, not not admissible fall

the

.C
the Zullo a v. ("a can

judgment.").

Dennis

Scarborough,

reports

investigating are deemed

officers and to

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within rule." nothing or less Townsend 1994) he (Ala.

i n evidence.

hearsay

records' omitted)). Finally, Mclnnish remotely the

exception

exclusionary

i t and

should Goode

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be

noted

that

submitted are

indicates to

that Arpaio an expert

qualified of

provide

opinion

authenticity

any

document Hawaii. 411,

- much See

Motors must be

Corp.,

OF

government

record 642

from

So.2d as an

423

qualified

expert

before

o p i n i o n as

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an e x p e r t " ) .

DOCSBHM\I933770\I

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360 give

i n f o r m a t i o n and

summary So.2d of They

'business (Citations

by even

regarding

40-year-old General witness an

20

CONCLUSION

those trial

argued by t h e Secretary court

i s due t o be a f f i r m e d .

OF

COUNSEL:

OF

S I R O T E Sc PERMUTT, 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 Birmingham, AL 35255-5727 Tel.: (205) 930-5100 Fax: (205) 930-5335

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DOCSBHM\1933770\]

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of State, Respectfully submitted, /s/ Thomas A Woodall Thomas A. W o o d a l l (WOO009) /s/ Barry A. Ragsdale B a r r y A, R a g s d a l e (RAG003) A t t o r n e y s f o r amicus Alabama D e m o c r a t i c curiae Party

For

t h e reasons

set forth

i n this

brief,

as w e l l

as

t h e judgment o ft h e

21

CERTIFICATE OF

SERVICE

FR

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OF

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Hon. 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 J a m e s 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 General of Alabama 501 W a s h i n g t o n S t r e e t Montgomery, A l a b a m a 36130

/s/Thomas A. Woodall OF COUNSEL

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L a r r y Klayman K l a y m a n Law F i r m 2 0 2 0 P e n n s y l v a n i a A v e , NW, W a s h i n g t o n , DC 2 0 0 0 6

Suite

800

BO
22

DOCSBHM\I933770\I

L. D e a n J o h n s o n L. D e a n 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

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I hereby c e r t i f y t h a t on t h e 23rd day o f A p r i l , 2013, I e l e c t r o n i c a l l y f i l e d the foregoing with the Clerk of the Supreme C o u r t u s i n g t h e ACIS system, a n d m a i l e d a copy t o a l l c o u n s e l i n t h i s matter as f o l l o w s :

OM

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EXHIBIT " A "

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D E P A R T M E N T OF H E A L T H

LINDA LINGLE
GOVERNOR

For Immediate R e l e a s e : October 31, 2008

BO W FO G
###

C H i Y O M E LEiNAALA FUKINO M.D. DIRECTOR Phone: (808) 586-4410 Fax: (808) 586-4444

S T A T E M E N T B Y DR. 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 for S e n . B a r a c k H u s s e i n O b a m a ' s official birth certificate. S t a t e l a w ( H a w a i ' i R e v i s e d S t a t u t e s 3 3 8 - 1 8 ) p r o h i b i t s t h e r e l e a s e o f a certified birth certificate to p e r s o n s w h o d o n o t h a v e a t a n g i b l e i n t e r e s t in t h e vital r e c o r d .

" T h e r e f o r e , 1 a s D i r e c t o r of H e a l t h for t h e S t a t e of H a w a i ' i , a l o n g w i t h t h e R e g i s t r a r of V i t a l S t a t i s t i c s w h o h a s statutory authority t o o v e r s e e a n d m a i n t a i n t h e s e t y p e o f vital r e c o r d s , h a v e p e r s o n a l l y s e e n a n d v e r i f i e d 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 n a l birth c e r t i f i c a t e o n r e c o r d in a c c o r d a n c e with s t a t e p o l i c i e s a n d p r o c e d u r e s .

" N o s t a t e o f f i c i a l , i n c l u d i n g G o v e r n o r L i n d a L i n g l e , h a s e v e r i n s t r u c t e d that this vital r e c o r d b e

FR

IE

For more information, contact: Janice Okubo C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Office P h o n e : (808) 586-4442

ND

h a n d l e d in a m a n n e r different f r o m a n y o t h e r vital r e c o r d In t h e p o s s e s s i o n of t h e S t a t e of H a w a i ' i . "

OF

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08-93

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D E P A R T M E N T OF H E A L T H

News Release
LINDA LINGLE
GOVERNOR

BO W OG

C H I Y O M E LEINAALA FUKINO DIRECTOR Phone: (808) 586-4410 Fax: (808) 586-4444

For Immediate Release: July 27, 2009

"I, Dr. C h j y o m e Fukino, Director of the Hawai'i State Department of Health, have s e e n the original vital records maintained on file by the Hawai'i State Department of Health verifying Barack H u s s e i n O b a m a w a s born in Hawai'i and is a natural-born A m e r i c a n citizen. I have nothing further to add to this statement or my original statement i s s u e d In October 2 0 0 8 over eight months ago."

FR IE

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OF

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09-063

FR S OF
EXHIBIT " B "

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'^^SvSSS'

LORETTA J . FUDOY.A.C.S.W., M.P.H.

DlRKTORGf HEALTH

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
P, 0. BOX 3378 HONOLULU, HI 96801-3378

April 25, 2011

T h e Honorable Barack O b a m a President of the United States T h e White House 1600 Pennsylvania A v e n u e , Washington, D C 20500 Dear President O b a m a :

I have reviewed your request for two certified copies of your original Certificate 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 copies of such records are made. Through that authority, in recognition of your status a s President of the United S t a t e s , ! am making an exception to current departmental policy which is to issue a computer-generated certified copy. W e hope that issuing you these copies of your original Certificate of Live Birth will end the numerous inquiries received by the Hawaii Department of Health to produce this document. S u c h inquiries have been disruptive to staff operations and have strained State resources. Enclosed please find two certified copies of your original Certificate of Live Birth. I have witnessed the copying of the certificate and attest to the authenticity of these copies. A receipt for the payment of these documents is attached for your files. P l e a s e let us know if we can be of further assistance.

OF

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Enclosures

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Sincerely,

Loretta J . Fuddy, A . C . S . W , M.P.H. Director of Health

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in.epiy.p^^refer.

'stAte

OF HAWAII

CERTIFICATE OF UV BIRTH
NUMiER
(Type or pHal)

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151
Day Year

DEPARTMENT

S ^ F C W W ' * F I M I Name

OG B
Sa. Birtli Dal* Wonlh

BARACK
9di 4.

HUSSEIN rripletO

OBAMA, I I
Sh. Honr /

Male
1 >

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"g^" Plaea of Blrthi Q l y , Toira or Rutal l A M l I m

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ir Twin or Tripltt. V u Chltd B o m

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Name a( Hoi^talior Inilllullon ( K nol In boiplUI or InilHutlDn,: glva

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U,

E a p l o l a n l Maternity & Gynecological Hospital: Honolulu

! PUco o i BIrtk l u M e a i y o r i T o w B L i m l i i l U'nji. i^T* Judicial dlHrlel

HO D

r^'- i;ual K ( J > M of Moilirri Qij, Toim or Rural l ^ a U o n

|7c.~ C o u n i y u i d S M t o r F o T C i f D C e u A i i y

EF
ITiual Occupation

Oahu

Honolulu,: Hawaii

Xii-^ Streel A d d r c i i

7c

I I R c d d e n u bulde GXj or Tami: U n l u t

6085

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B a r ^ o f Father

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BARACK 25 STANLEY

HUSSEIN

OBAMA Student DUNHAM ^

14.

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12b.' K i n d of Bniineia or Indualry

?ViT"Mvt of F a i l m

11. . Birthplace (I Jin4SttU;M FnHi(> Cgusuii) I2a.

C e r ^ a , East A f r i c a -y ANN
Birth iJaeediiurj^ Juii

UniverBity :
Bace of Mother

I S r ' F i i I l MaldcH Name of Hothe

13.; Age of HoUier 16.

roRlf^ (Wjiipj 17a;

l y p c ^ O e e u p ^ i o n Outilde Home During Prcgnaiicr 17b.

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Wichita, i^anaas
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r Other Informanl yj

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l^tMrflFy thai Ihe Bbare Mated lafo^^>llDn^U inia and rorrecl iM the bcM of m f kiurwledne.

Parent Q Oibff M.Dj D.O. HldWlte Other 32. 19b.. Dale of Signaiuie

;I>herdj eciliff thai ihiicfaild ia b o m allte.on the date and ibmir: staled above. 20i :

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AUG - 8

23.' E v M n e e . for: Delayed FUIng or Atieratioo:-

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Dale Aceepled In t o t a l Reg, 21.

Slgnilura of Loeal.Rigliirar

I C E R T I F Y THIS I S A T R U E C O P Y O R A B S T R A C T O P T K E R E C O R D ON FILE IN THE H A W A I I S T A T E D E P A R T M E N T ' O F HEALTH

APR 2 5,,2011
STATE f^EGlSTRAR

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1961 Oahu
OF HEALTH

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Department of Health 1250 Punchbowl Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Office of Health Status Monitoring P.O. Box 3378 Honotulu, Hawaii 96801

Recipient of Verification:

Ken Bennett, Arizona Secretary of State

Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes 338-14.3, I verify the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. A birth certificate is on file with the Department of Health indicating that Barack Hussein O b a m a , II was born in Honolulu, Hawaii Name of Person: Barack Hussein O b a m a , il Departmentof Health File #: 151 61 10641 Time of Birth: 7:24 p.m.

Name of Hospital: Kapiolani Maternity & Gynecological Hospital Age of Father: 25

Age of Mother: 18

Birthplace of Mother: Wichita, Kansas

Date of Signature of Attendant: 8-8-61 Date Accepted by Local Registrar: Aug-8 1961

FR

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I certify that the information contained in the vital record on file with the Department of Health was used to verify the facts of the vital event.

Alvin T, Onaka, Ph.D. State Registrar

ND

Additionally, I verify that the information in the copy of the Certificate of Live Birth for Mr. O b a m a that you attached with your request matches the original record in our files.

OF

Date of Signature of Parent: 8-7-61

TH

Birthplace of Father: Kenya, East Africa

EF

OG
Date Issued: May 22, 2012

OHSM FORM v o l (08/01/01)

BO

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C a s e 3:12-cv-00280-HTW-LRA Document 35-2

Filed 06/06/12

Page 1 of 1

Department of Health 1250 P u n c h b o w l Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

/V^^i**^^ \ | I X^s^^^Mf

Office of Health Status Monitoring P - 0 . Box 3378 Honolulu, Hawaii 96801

Recipient of Verification:

Scott J . Tepper and Samuel L Begiey, attorneys for the Mississippi Democratic Party in Taitz et al v. Democratic Party of Mississippi rsicl. et ai. No. 3:12- GV -00280~ HTW-LRA (S.D. Miss.)

Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes 338-14,3, I verify the following: 1. The original Certificate of Live Birth for Barack Hussein O b a m a , II, is on file with the State of Hawaii Department of Health. T h e information contained in the "Certificate of Live Birth" published at http://www.whitehouse .gQv /bloq/2011/04/27/pre5ident-obamas-lon.q-formbirth-certificate and reviewed by me on the date of this verification, a copy of which is attached with your request, matches the information contained in the original Certificate of Live Birth for Barack Hussein Obama, II on file with the State of Hawaii Department of Health

2.

FR IE

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<a, P h . D . State Registrar

ND S

OF

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OHSM FORM vol (08/01/01)

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Date Issued: M a y 31, 2012

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S T A T E OF HAWAII

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