Case Document

SI- National Council of La Raza v. Miller

Date

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Document Type

Statement of Interest

Attachments

20120904_nv_la_raza_dnv.pdf

You may view the statement of interest in pdf format.

THOMAS E. PEREZ

Assistant Attorney General

Civil Rights Division

DANIEL G. BOGDEN

United States Attorney

GREG ADDINGTON

Assistant United States Attorney

T. CHRISTIAN HERREN, JR.

MEREDITH BELL-PLATTS

ELIZABETH S. WESTFALL (D.C. Bar# 458792)

Attorneys, Voting Section

Civil Rights Division

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

NWB 7202

Washington, D.C. 20530

Telephone: (202) 305-7766

Facsimile: (202) 307-3961

Attorneys for the United States

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF NEVADA

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LA RAZA, LAS Case No. 3:12-cv-00316-RCJ-VPC

VEGAS BRANCH OF THE NAACP

(BRANCH 1111), and RENO-SPARKS STATEMENT OF INTEREST

BRANCH OF THE NAACP (BRACH 1112) OF THE UNITED STATES

Plaintiffs,

ROSS MILLER, in his official capacity as

Secretary of State of the State of Nevada; and

MICHAEL WILLDEN, in his official capacity

as Director of the Department of Health &

Human Services of the State of Nevada,

Defendants.

INTRODUCTION

The United States files this Statement oflnterest pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 517 because this case presents an important question regarding the proper construction of the National Voter Registration Act of

1993 ("NVRA"), 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg et seq. The NVRA, inter alia, expands the opportunity for voter registration at certain offices that provide public assistance or services to persons with disabilities, which are designated as voter registration agencies ("VRAs"). The Attorney General has enforcement responsibility for the NVRA, 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-9(a). Resolution of this issue may affect the Department of Justice's enforcement responsibilities, states' obligations under the NVRA, and opportunities for citizens to receive voter registration forms.

Plaintiffs National Council of La Raza, Las Vegas Branch of the NAACP (Branch 1111), and Reno-Sparks Branch of the NAACP (Branch 1112) ("Plaintiffs") have moved for a preliminary injunction (ECF 25), in part, on the ground that a policy of Nevada's Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) regarding distribution of voter registration forms on its face violates Section 7 of the NVRA, 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5 ("Section 7"). Under the policy, a DHHS office need not provide a voter registration form to an applicant, unless the applicant has affirmatively requested one.

As explained below, this policy violates the requirement of Section 7 that VRAs distribute a voter registration form to each applicant at a qualifying event unless the applicant "in writing, declines to register to vote." 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(A). The Tenth Circuit in Valdez v. Squier recently held that the very same policy employed by New Mexico's Human Services Department violated Section 7. 676 F.3d 935, 943-47 (10th Cir. 2012), ajf'g Valdez v. Herrera, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 142209 (D.N.M. Dec. 21, 2010). In opposing the motion for preliminary injunction, Defendants argue that Valdez was wrongly decided and that DHHS's policy complies with Section 7. (ECF 32) ("Opp."). The interpretation of Section 7 advanced by Defendants, however, ignores and nullifies statutory text in Section 7 and runs contrary to the statute's goal of providing and maximizing new opportunities for voter registration. Therefore, a preliminary injunction enjoining DHHS's policy limiting distribution of voter registration forms to applicants who affirmatively request a form should issue.

STATUTORY FRAMEWORK

In 1993, Congress enacted the NVRA to expand the voter registration opportunities of United

States citizens. Pursuant to the NVRA, citizens now may register to vote at the time they obtain a driver's

license, by mail, or in interactions with certain offices that provide public assistance or disability services,

which are designated voter registration agencies (VRAs). 42 U.S.C. §§ 1973gg-3-1973gg-5. Mandatory

VRAs include "all offices in the State that provide public assistance." 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a).

Section 7 of the NVRA sets forth the duties of a VRA. 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(4)-(6) and (d).

When an applicant seeks services or assistance from a VRA, including an application for benefits, a

renewal or recertification of benefits, or a notice of a change of address (i.e. a "qualifying event"), 1 the

VRA must (1) provide the applicant a voter registration form unless the applicant declines, in writing, the

opportunity to register to vote; (2) provide the applicant a voter information form; (3) provide the

applicant assistance in completing the voter registration form to the same extent the agency provides

assistance in completing all other forms, unless the applicant declines such assistance; and ( 4) submit all

completed registration applications received to the appropriate election official. 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-

5( a)( 6), ( d). VRA staff are prohibited from engaging in activity that has the "purpose or effect of* * *

discourag[ing] the applicant from registering to vote." 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(5)(C); see 42 U.S.C.

§ 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B)(v) (notice of an applicant's right to file a complaint based on certain actions of a

VRA official);§ 1973gg-10(1) (criminal penalties for interference with attempting to register to vote or

exercising any right under the NVRA).

The voter registration form is distinct from the voter information form; each form has different

content and serves different purposes. 2 See 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(A) and (B). A voter registration

¹ We use the term "applicant" to refer to any person who engages in a qualifying event with a VRA as set forth in'

42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(A), including applicants, persons who are renewing or recertifying benefits or services,

and persons who submit a change of address relating to such service or assistance.

² While the Tenth Circuit in Valdez refers to a "declination form," we refer to this document as a "voter information

form."

form, as its name reflects, is required for a citizen to register to vote. 3 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-7.

Significantly, a VRA must provide a voter registration form to each applicant during a qualifying event

"unless the applicant, in writing, declines to register to vote." 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(A) (emphasis

added). In other words, subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A) requires the systematic distribution of a voter

registration form, absent an applicant's affirmative declination of voter registration "in writing."

Separate from the requirements of subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A), subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B) requires

VRAs to provide a voter information form to each applicant during a qualifying event. 42 U.S.C.

§ 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B). Subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B), 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B), identifies the requisite

contents and instructions regarding this form. The voter information form must include:

(i) the question, "If you are not registered to vote where you live now, would you like to apply to

* * *

(iii) boxes for the applicant to check to indicate whether the applicant would like to register or

declines to register to vote (failure to check either box being deemed to constitute a declination to

boxes and in prominent type), "IF YOU DO NOT CHECK EITHER BOX, YOU WILL BE

CONSIDERED TO HAVE DECIDED NOT TO REGISTER TO VOTE AT THIS TIME."

42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B) (emphasis added by italics).

Subparagraph (C), 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(C), states that a VRA must "provide to each

applicant who does not decline to register to vote the same degree of assistance with regard to the

completion of the registration application form as is provided by the office with regard to the completion

of its own forms, unless the applicant refuses such assistance."

The voter information form also advises the applicant that she may receive assistance in

completing the form or she may complete the form "in private." 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B)(iv). The

form further informs the applicant that she may file with a designated point of contact a complaint

3 A VRA may use a national voter registration form that is developed by the Election Assistance Commission or its

own version that requires the equivalent information. 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(A)(i) and (ii); see 42 U.S.C.

§ 1973gg-7 (mail registration form).

alleging interference with her rights to register or not register to vote, her right to privacy in making this

decision, or her right to choose a political party. 42 U.S.C. § l 973gg-5(a)(6)(B)(v).

Subsection (d), 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(d), requires transmittal of"a completed registration

application accepted at a voter registration agency" to the appropriate election official within a certain

time period. Subsection ( d) does not require applicants to submit completed voter registration forms to a

VRA, nor does it require VRAs to collect completed registration forms from applicants. See id.

ARGUMENT

Under DHHS's policy, when an applicant leaves a voter information form blank, it is treated as a

declination of voter registration, and thus, the agency need not provide the applicant with a voter

registration form. Defendants' contention that this policy complies with the NVRA finds no support in

the statute's text or structure. Section 7 does not make distribution of a voter registration form contingent

upon an applicant's affirmative request. Instead, the plain language of Section 7 mandates that VRAs

provide applicants with a voter registration form when they engage in a qualifying event "unless the

applicant, in writing, declines to register to vote." 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(A). Moreover,

Defendants' position if adopted would undermine the NVRA's statutory objectives and congressional

intent.

The only courts that have decided this question have held that an applicant's failure to complete a

voter information form does not constitute a declination "in writing" of voter registration or otherwise

relieve a VRA of providing a voter registration form to the applicant. Valdez v. Squier, 676 F.3d 935,

943-47 (10th Cir. 2012), aff'g Valdez v. Herrera, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 142209 (D.N.M. Dec. 21, 2010);

see also Ga. State Conference of the NAACP v. Kemp, 841 F. Supp. 2d 1320, 1332-33 (N.D. Ga. 2012) (if

Georgia interprets a blank response on a voter information form as declining voter registration and does

not provide the applicant a voter registration form, that policy would "likely run[] afoul of Section 7").

This Court should likewise conclude that DHHS's policy violates the NVRA because DHHS does not

provide a voter registration form to all persons who should receive it.

A. Principles of Statutory Interpretation

The starting point for statutory interpretation is the statute itself. See Dodd v. United States, 545

U.S. 353, 357 (2005). The Court "must presume that [the] legislature says in a statute what it means and

means in a statute what it says there." Id. (quoting Connecticut Nat 'l Bank v. Germain, 503 U.S. 249,

253-54 (1992)). When not defined by the statute, terms should be "accorded their plain and ordinary

meaning, which can be deduced through reference sources such as general usage dictionaries." UMG

Recordings, Inc. v. Shelter Capital Partners, 667 F.3d 1022, 1041 (9th Cir. 2011). Dictionaries provide

courts guidance on the meaning of words considered plain and obvious, in addition to those that are

ambiguous. See, e.g., Dodd, 545 U.S. at 358 (dictionary meaning of "if' considered).

In addition, a statute should be interpreted "such that all its language is given effect, and none of it

is rendered superfluous." UMG Recordings, Inc., 667 F.3d at 1041; see Lyon v. Chase Bank USA, 656

F.3d 877, 890 (9th Cir. 2011) (effect should be given to every word Congress used); TRW, Inc. v.

Andrews, 534 U.S. 19, 31 (2001) (text should be construed so that no word or phrase is rendered

superfluous). Further, courts "start with the premise that 'the words of a statute must read in their context

and with a view to their place in the overall statutory scheme.'" Lyon, 656 F.3d at 890 (quoting Am.

Bankers Ass'n v. Gould, 412 F.3d 1081, 1086 (9th Cir. 2005)). The "goal in interpreting a statute is to

understand the statute 'as a symmetrical and coherent regulatory scheme' and to 'fit, if possible, all parts

into a ... harmonious whole."' Lyon, 656 F.3d at 890 (quoting Am. Bankers Ass 'n, 412 F.3d at 1086).

When statutory text is ambiguous, legislative history may provide guidance on Congress's

intended meaning of the challenged phrase. See Tides v. Boeing Co., 644 F.3d 809, 814 (9th Cir. 2011).

B. Section 7 Requires VRAs to Provide Applicants a Voter Registration Form Unless the

Applicant Declines Voter Registration "In Writing. "

Subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A) of the NVRA governs the circumstances under which DHHS must

distribute voter registration forms. Under its plain language, subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A) mandates that

DHHS "shall" provide a voter registration form to an applicant during a qualifying event "unless the

applicant, in writing, declines to register to vote." 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(A). While the NVRA

does not define the phrase "in writing," the plain or ordinary meaning of that phrase is "[t]he state or

condition of having been written or penned; written form." Oxford English Dictionary, Online Edition,

2012,

http://www. oed. comlview/Entry/2 3 077 5 ?rskey=uSqrlW &result= 2&isAdvanced=false#eid14009491 (last

visited September 4, 2012). A failure to record any word or notation is therefore not a response "in

writing" under the dictionary definition. The absence of a written notation on a voter information form is

not a declination in writing, any more than it is an acceptance in writing.

As the Tenth Circuit noted, Congress nowhere indicated that it intended the phrase "in writing" as

used in subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A) to mean anything other than its ordinary definition. Valdez, 676 F.3d at

945-46. Thus, unless an applicant has affirmatively opted out of voter registration in written form, DHHS

must provide the applicant a voter registration form and its policy to the contrary violates subparagraph

5(a)(6)(A).

C. An Applicant's Failure to Complete a Voter Information Form Does Not Constitute a

Declination "In Writing" of a Voter Registration Form Under Section 7.

Congress used specific, different language in 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(A), (B), and (C) to

address the distinct content of the voter registration form and the voter information form, and a VRA's

obligations regarding these forms. Subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A) states that a VRA "shall" distribute a voter

registration form to an applicant during a qualifying event unless the applicant, "in writing, declines to

information form and explains to applicants the consequences that apply at that moment, when applicants

are engaged in a qualifying event with the VRA. Giving meaning to all statutory text, an applicant's

failure to complete a voter information form does not constitute a declination, in writing, to register to

vote for purposes of subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A). Valdez, 676 F.3d at 947.

The voter information form includes the query, "[i]f you are not registered to vote where you live

now, would you like to apply to register to vote here today?" and boxes to check "yes" or "no." 42

U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B)(i) and (iii) (emphasis added). Subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)(iii) explains that

"failure to check either box [is] deemed to constitute a declination to register for purposes of

subparagraph (C)," under which a VRA must assist an applicant in completing a voter registration form,

"unless the applicant refuses such assistance." 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B)(iii) and (a)(6)(C). That

assistance is available when the applicant has contact with the VRA. The capitalized sentence of

subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)(iii) states that an applicant who does not indicate a preference on the voter

information form has declined to register to vote at this time. The phrases "at this time" and "here today"

focus on the applicant's opportunity to register to vote at the moment she has contact with the VRA, just

as the opportunity to receive a VRA's assistance occurs when the applicant interacts with the VRA. Thus,

failure to indicate a response on the voter information form is a declination to register "at this time" and a

declination of a VRA's assistance, at that time.

The temporal limitations "here today" and "at this time" are included in subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)

and the information form, yet are not included in subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A)'s command that an applicant

must receive a registration form "unless the applicant, in writing, declines to register to vote." Thus, as

the Tenth Circuit concluded, "If an applicant is passive, i.e. does not check either the "YES" or "NO" box

on the [information form] and thereby indicate his or her intent in writing, [the VRA] must, in accordance

with the mandate of subsection (A), still provide him or her with a voter registration form, but is relieved

from providing the applicant with assistance in completing that form." Valdez, 676 F.3d at 947.

D. Defendants' Arguments In Support of Their Policy Misconstrue and Ignore the Statutory Text

of Section 7.

Defendants argue that under subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)(iii), failure to complete a voter information

form constitutes a declination of both a voter registration form and assistance in completing the form.

Opp. at 19-20. This interpretation, however, would render superfluous the text in subparagraph

5(a)(6)(B)(iii) stating that "failure to check either box [is] deemed to constitute a declination to register

for purposes of subparagraph (C)," under which VRAs must provide assistance in completing a voter

registration form "unless the applicant refuses such assistance." 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B)(iii) and

(C). If an applicant, by leaving a voter information form blank, is deemed to have declined a voter

registration form, the applicant plainly has no need for assistance in completing the form. Hence,

Defendants' interpretation would obviate any basis for the text in subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)(iii) indicating

that failure to complete a voter information form constitutes a declination of a VRA' s assistance in

completing a registration form.

Further, nothing in subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)(iii) qualifies the requirement of subparagraph

5(a)(6)(A) that a VRA distribute a voter registration form during each qualifying event, unless the

applicant declines voter registration "in writing." Congress expressly stated in subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)

that failure to check either box is deemed a declination of a VRA's assistance in completing a voter

registration form. 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B)(iii). Had Congress likewise intended a blank form to

constitute a declination "in writing" for purposes of subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A), it would have so indicated.

Valdez, 676 F.3d at 946.

Defendants also argue that their interpretation of subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)(iii) does not render the

phrases "at this time" and "here today" superfluous because an applicant who declines a voter registration

form by leaving a voter information form blank may choose to register to vote when returning to the

VRA's office to renew or recertify benefits. Opp. at 18. This interpretation should be rejected out of

hand as it assumes, erroneously, that applicants will necessarily engage in a subsequent qualifying event

and receive an additional voter registration opportunity at that time. In addition, by implying that

applicants may only register to vote during a qualifying event, Defendants' argument ignores language in

Section 7 indicating that applicants may receive a voter registration form and complete it in private

without a VRA's assistance. Voter information forms must state that applicants "may fill out the

application form in private," thus contemplating that some applicants may complete a voter registration

application outside of the qualifying event. 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B)(iv); see Valdez, 676 F.3d at

947 ("[A]n applicant who chooses not to register to vote 'at that time' might still be interested in receiving

a mail voter registration form and completing it at another time and/or location."). Likewise, the forms

must apprise applicants that they may file a complaint based on any perceived interference of their "right

to privacy in deciding whether to register or in applying to register to vote." 42 U.S.C. § l 973gg-

5(a)(6)(B)(v).

Subparagraph 5(a)(4)(A)(iii) and subsection 5(d), which require VRAs to accept completed

registration forms and transmit them to the appropriate election official within a certain time period,

further undermine Defendants' position. These provisions require VRAs to make themselves available to

collect completed voter registration forms but do not mandate the collection of all such forms or require

applicants to submit completed registration forms to VRAs. See 42 U.S.C. § l 973gg-5(a)( 4)(A)(iii) and

( d). Instead, Section 7 assumes that some applicants, subsequent to the qualifying event and receipt of a

voter registration form, will complete the registration form in private and independently transmit it to an

election official. 4 Accordingly, the phrases "at this time" and "here today" in subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)(iii)

should be interpreted to mean that an applicant's failure to complete a voter information form declines

voter registration and assistance while the applicant is present in the VRA's office, but does not release

the VRA from its obligation under subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A) to provide the applicant a voter registration

form.

Finally, Defendants argue that if a blank voter information form is not deemed a declination of a

voter registration form under subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)(iii) on the ground that the applicant has only

declined to register "at that time," it would lead to the absurd result of requiring VRAs to provide all

applicants with a voter registration form, including those who check "no" on a voter information form.

Opp. at 18-19. This argument, however, ignores the plain language of subparagraph 5(a)(6)(A), which

provides that VRAs need not distribute a voter registration form when an applicant declines, in a written

form, to register to vote. 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6)(B); see Valdez, 676 F.3d at 947 ("if an applicant

checks the "NO" box on the information form, he or she would be deemed to have declined, in writing,

the opportunity to receive a voter registration form and [VRAs] would thus be relieved, under the

4 The legislative history explains that an applicant may transmit a completed voter registration application directly

to the appropriate county or state election official, rather than returning it to the agency for transmittal. H. R. Rep.

No. 103-9, at 13 (1993). ·

language of subsection (A), from providing the application with a voter registration form").

E. The NVRA 's Objectives and Legislative History Support the Conclusion That DHHS 's Policy

Violates Section 7.

Even if the text or statutory structure of Section 7 were ambiguous or inconsistent, this Court may

consider the NVRA's legislative history to see if it provides guidance on the intended interpretation. See

Tides, 644 F.3d at 814. In fact, the NVRA's purposes and its legislative history further demonstrate that

DHHS's policy is contrary to the terms and objectives of the NVRA.

Two primary objectives of the NVRA are to "establish procedures that will increase the number of

eligible citizens who register to vote" and "enhance[] the participation" of eligible voters by expanding

the opportunities for voter registration. See 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg(b)(l)-(2), 42 U.S.C. §§ 1973gg-3-

1973gg-5; H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 103-66, at 15-16 (1993) (H. Conf. Rep. 66). The Conference Committee

resolved the House and Senate's disagreement on whether state agencies that provide public assistance

should be designated mandatory or voluntary VRAs in favor of mandatory designation. See H. Conf.

Rep. 66 at 18-19. The Conference Committee concluded that a primary purpose of expanding voter

registration opportunities would be unmet if these agencies were not mandatory VRAs. See H. Conf.

Rep. 66 at 19. A substantial percentage of eligible voters seek and receive public services, do not drive,

and often have no other contact with public agencies; thus, these agencies are a primary avenue for voter

registration for many citizens. See id.

At the same time, Congress was concerned about the potential for intimidation by public officials,

whether real or perceived by applicants for public benefits. See H. Conf. Rep. 66 at 19. Thus, the

Conference Committee added a provision to address the prohibition on intimidation by VRA officials.

See 42 U.S.C. § l 973gg-5(a)(5)(D); H. Conf. Rep. 66 at 19. Significantly, Congress also modified

subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B), which originally referred to a VRA's voluntary obligation to provide a form that

would accompany the voter registration form, to require distribution of the voter information form and to

specify its content. See H. Conf. Rep. 66 at 19-20. In recognition of the applicant's potential fear and

discomfort, Congress explained:

Id.

the [information form] is intended to deal with concerns raised about the inclusion of certain

agencies in an agency-based registration program and the possibility of intimidation or coercion.

Concern was expressed that in agencies that provide benefits, staff might suggest that registering

to vote could have some bearing on the availability of services or benefits provided by that

agency. In addition to the provisions in the House bill relating to coercion and intimidation,

[subparagraph B] includes specific provisions to address that situation.

An applicant for services may be embarrassed or have other reasons that would inhibit her interest

in registering to vote at a VRA, or receiving assistance from a VRA representative. That same applicant,

however, may feel comfortable completing a voter registration form at a later time, in her home, or

somewhere away from the perceived, conspicuous eye of an agency that is determining her eligibility for

public benefits. Thus, there is a significant purpose underlying the voter information form and

subparagraph 5(a)(6)(B)'s focus on an offer of assistance at the time the applicant is in contact with the

VRA, and its notice to the applicant that the opportunity to register extends beyond that moment should

she wish to complete the voter registration form "in private," and at another time. 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-

5(a)(6)(B)(iv). Because there is no time limit on completing the registration form, an individual may well

decide she does not want to register at the VRA "today," but still wants the voter registration form to take

home or elsewhere to complete. Allowing an applicant's failure to respond on the voter information forih,

which may be due to ambivalence, confusion or other concerns, to constitute a declination of a

registration form is contrary to the statutory goals of expanding and maximizing opportunities for voter

registration.

In sum, Congress made clear that designated VRAs must provide applicants who engage in a

qualifying event a voter registration form, except when the applicant affirmatively, in writing, states she

does not want to register to vote. The statutory mandate that expands opportunities for voter registration

is unduly and unlawfully restricted in Nevada if an individual will only receive a voter registration form

by affirmatively requesting the same.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the United States respectfully requests that this Court find the Nevada

Department of Health & Human Services' policy of treating an applicant's blank voter information form

as a declination of a voter registration form to be in violation of Section 7 of the NVRA.

Date: September 4, 2012

THOMAS E. PEREZ

Assistant Attorney General

Civil Rights Division

Isl Elizabeth S. Westfall

T. CHRISTIAN HERREN, JR.

MEREDITH BELL-PLATTS

ELIZABETH S. WESTFALL (D.C. Bar# 458792)

Attorneys, Voting Section

Civil Rights Division

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

NWB 7202

Washington, D.C. 20530

Telephone: (202) 305-7766

Facsimile: (202) 307-3961

DANIEL G. BOGDEN

United States Attorney

District of Nevada

GREG ADDINGTON

Assistant United States Attorney

(Bar No. 6875)

United States Attorney's Office

100 West Liberty

Suite 600

Reno, NV 89501

Telephone: (775) 784-5438

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

This is to certify that I have on this day electronically filed the foregoing STATEMENT OF

INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES with the Clerk of Cdourt using the CMIECF system, which will

send notification of such filing to all parties in this matter via electronic notification or otherwise.

This 4th day of September 2012.

Isl Greg Addington

GREG ADDINGTON

Assistant United States Attorney

Updated April 18, 2023