Showdown in Superior Court

Tomorrow morning there’ll be a showdown in San Francisco Superior Court.  (Okay, shots won’t be fired, but it should prove interesting nonetheless.)

Late Friday, we learned that Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado, the Yes on 14 campaign, and the California Independent Voter Project all wanted to intervene in our case.  Presumably they want to get in the driver’s seat to defend SB 6, the infamous state law that threatens to censor minor-party political candidates and throw away thousands of write-in votes.

Since we welcome all points of view, we have no problem if the trio seek to file amicus (friend of the court) briefs.  However, it appears that they want a bigger piece of the action:  they basically want to become a Defendant in this lawsuit.

Be that as it may,  it’s the Attorney General, and not Maldonado, who has the constitutional duty to defend against this lawsuit (here’s our brief opposing Maldonado’s motion).  What’s more, Attorney General Jerry Brown recently made supportive comments about Proposition 14, which SB 6 was intended to implement.  So why are Maldonado & Co. worried enough that they want to intervene?

Perhaps we’ll gain more insight during tomorrow morning’s hearing: 11 am, San Francisco Superior Court, Dept. 302, 400 McAllister St., SF CA  94102.

What will Judge Charlotte Woolard say, and what will she decide to do?  We’ll find out tomorrow.

Update (Aug. 17, 3:30 pm): This morning, Judge Woolard scheduled a hearing on the Maldonado motion to intervene for Tuesday, Aug. 24, 9:30.  Same place:  San Francisco Superior Court, Dept. 302, 400 McAllister St., SF CA  94102.

Update (Aug. 18, 1:41 pm): This afternoon, the Sacramento Bee just posted this piece on these recent developments.

– Gautam Dutta