Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 1 of 51 Matthew G. Monforton (Montana Bar # 5245) Monforton Law Offices, PLLC 32 Kelly Court Bozeman, Montana 59718 Telephone: (406) 570-2949 Facsimile: (406) 551-6919 E-mail: [email protected] Attorney for Plaintiff UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MONTANA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR GUN RIGHTS, INC., ) ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) JONATHAN MOTL, in his official ) capacity as the Commissioner of ) Political Practices for the State of ) Montana; TIMOTHY C. FOX, in his ) official capacity as Attorney General ) for the State of Montana; LEO ) GALLAGHER, in his official capacity ) as County Attorney for the County of ) Lewis & Clark, ) ) Defendants. ) ) Case No. ___________________ VERIFIED COMPLAINT FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, DECLARATORY RELIEF, AND NOMINAL DAMAGES Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 2 of 51 PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 1. “Discussion of issues cannot be suppressed simply because the issues may also be pertinent in an election. Where the First Amendment is implicated, the tie goes to the speaker, not the censor.” Fed. Election Comm’n v. Wisconsin Right To Life, Inc., 551 U.S. 449, 474 (2007). “Freedom of discussion, if it would fulfill its historic function in this nation, must embrace all issues about which information is needed or appropriate to enable the members of society to cope with the exigencies of their period.” Thornhill v. Alabama, 310 U.S. 88, 102 (1940). 2. Plaintiff National Association For Gun Rights, Inc. (NAGR) files this civil rights action for injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and nominal damages arising under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. 3. NAGR seeks a declaratory judgment that the “issue mailing” that it sent in 2012, attached hereto as Exhibit 1 (hereinafter referred to as the “Tutvedt Mailing”), is not express advocacy under Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1 (1976), and therefore not subject to regulation under Montana’s then-existing election statutes. See Mont. Code Ann. § 13-1-101, (2012) et seq. 4. NAGR also seeks a declaratory judgment that because the Tutvedt Mailing is not express advocacy, the Tutvedt Mailing could not be considered a contribution or expenditure under Montana election law as it existed in 2012, and 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 3 of 51 therefore could not have triggered any obligation by NAGR to register as a political committee or report the monies spent on distributing the Tutvedt Mailing. 5. In addition, NAGR challenges the constitutionality of several provisions of SB-289, a campaign-finance bill enacted by the Montana Legislature in 2015. 6. Specifically, NAGR challenges the definition of “electioneering communication” contained in § 13-1-101(15), MCA. This definition encompasses large swaths of speech involving public policy issues. 7. Issue-advocacy groups such as NAGR are therefore required to register as political committees and comply with numerous, burdensome regulations if their advocacy of policies happens to include the name of a candidate for public office in Montana. 8. Section 13-1-101(15), MCA, is unconstitutional both facially and as- applied to NAGR because it is substantially overbroad, thereby violating NAGR’s rights of free speech and association under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. 9. NAGR also challenges Montana’s Compelled-Vote-Reporting Provision, § 13-35-225(3)(a), MCA, 10. This provision requires speakers who convey information about a candidate’s voting record also to include in their communications (1) references to 3 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 4 of 51 the particular votes upon which the information is based (2) disclosures of votes made by the candidate on the same legislative bill or enactment, and (3) a verification that the disclosures are accurate. The statute compels the content of the speaker’s political speech. 11. Montana has no compelling interest in requiring speakers to convey this information in their communications, nor is the statute narrowly tailored. 12. NAGR requires declaratory and injunctive relief from this Court so that it can engage in protected speech without suffering the burdens imposed by Montana’s unconstitutional laws and without fear of the state imposing fines and penalties. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 13. This Court has jurisdiction over this case arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1343(a). This Court also has jurisdiction under the Declaratory Judgment Act. 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201, 2202. 14. Venue is proper because Defendant Motl resides in the Helena District. 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b). 4 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 5 of 51 PARTIES 15. NAGR is a non-stock, non-profit corporation incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and has its principal place of business in Windsor, Colorado. 16. Defendant Jonathan Motl is the Commissioner of Political Practices for Montana and is sued in his official capacity. Motl has authority to investigate violations of, enforce the provisions of, and hire attorneys to prosecute violations of Montana’s campaign finance laws. Defendant Motl resides in Lewis & Clark County in the State of Montana. 17. As Montana Attorney General, Defendant Timothy Fox has power to investigate and prosecute violations of Chapters 35 of the Montana Code Annotated by and through the county attorneys under his supervision. The Attorney General acts under color of law and is sued in his official capacity. Defendant Fox resides in Lewis & Clark County in the State of Montana. 18. As Lewis & Clark County Attorney, Defendant Leo Gallagher has power to investigate and prosecute violations of Chapters 35 of the Montana Code Annotated. The County Attorney acts under color of law and is sued in his official capacity. Defendant Gallagher resides in Lewis & Clark County in the State of Montana. 5 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 6 of 51 STATEMENT OF FACTS 19. NAGR is a non-stock, non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2000. 20. NAGR is a grassroots organization whose mission is to defend the right to keep and bear arms, and advance that God-given Constitutional right by educating the American people and urging them to action in the public policy process. 21. NAGR’s mission is to defend American’s Second Amendment “right to keep and bear arms” and to educate the public on issues related to the Second Amendment so that the public may participate meaningfully in dialogue and debate about the “right to keep bear arms.” An important part of NAGR’s activities is letting the public know where legislators and governmental officials stand on issues related to the Second Amendment and the “right to keep and bear arms.” NAGR also performs other acts necessary or incidental to the above and does whatever it deems necessary, useful, advisable, or conducive, directly or indirectly, to carry out any of the purposes of the corporation, as set forth in its articles of incorporation, including the exercise of all other powers and authority enjoyed by non-profit corporations generally. 22. NAGR is a tax-exempt social welfare organization under Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(4). 6 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 7 of 51 23. Organizations under § 501(c)(4) must be “primarily engaged in promoting in some way the common good and general welfare of the people of the community.” (26 C.F.R. § 501(c)(4)-1.) Further, “[t]he promotion of social welfare does not include direct or indirect participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.” (Id.) So, while § 501(c)(4) organizations may engage in some unambiguously campaign related speech, their major purpose can never be the nomination or election of candidates. 24. NAGR is in compliance with this requirement, and will remain so in the future. 25. NAGR has approximately 36,000 members and supporters in Montana and 4.5 million members and supporters throughout the United States. 26. Many public officials, particularly in states with large numbers of rural voters, inaccurately claim to strongly support the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms as well as to engage in lawful self-defense. 27. NAGR seeks to inform the public of the identities of these officials, as well as provide the public with information about these officials’ voting records. 28. The Tutvedt Mailing is typical of the types of information that NAGR provides to the public. 29. NAGR intends to send similar mailings to the public during this 7 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 8 of 51 election cycle to inform Montanans of the positions of public officials regarding the Second Amendment “right to keep and bear arms.” 30. In 2015, Montana enacted legislation (SB-289) to regulate these types of issue advocacy mailings and would require NAGR to register as a political committee. 31. NAGR intends to mail educational literature to Montanans beginning in May 2016 describing which public officials have supported the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms and engage in lawful self-defense, as well as those who have not done so. This literature, which is materially similar to Exhibit 1, will not include language that could be reasonably interpreted as an appeal to vote for or against a candidate. 32. NAGR will spend more than $250.00 (mainly printing and mailing) to mail this literature. 33. NAGR does not desire to distribute such literature, however, if that literature would be determined to be express advocacy, subject to regulation as a contribution or expenditure under Montana’s election laws, that would require NAGR to register as a political committee. 34. NAGR does not desire to distribute such literature, however, if that literature will be deemed by the State to be an “electioneering communication” under § 13-1-101(15), thereby requiring NAGR to register as a political committee. 8 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 9 of 51 35. NAGR does not desire to distribute such literature if NAGR will be required, under SB-289’s Compelled-Vote-Reporting Provision, § 13-35-225(3)(a), to include the compelled speech required by the statute. 36. Absent injunctive relief, NAGR will suffer irreparable harm because of the unconstitutional burdens placed upon its ability to speak by Montana law. 37. NAGR has no adequate remedy at law. CLAIMS FOR RELIEF 38. Freedom of speech is the norm, not the exception. See Citizens United v. FEC, 558 U.S. 310, 361 (2010) (“more speech, not less, is the governing rule”); see also Buckley 424 U.S. at 14-15. “The right of citizens to inquire, to hear, to speak, and to use information to reach consensus is a precondition to enlightened self-government and a necessary means to protect it.” Citizens United, 558 U.S. at 339. 39. The framers established government with the consent of the governed, and government has only those powers that the governed surrendered to it in the first place. See U.S. Const. preamble (1787) (“We the people of the United States….”) 40. These powers – including the constitutional power of Congress to regulate federal elections, and each state’s parallel power over its own elections, are further constrained by other law, including the First Amendment. See Buckley, 9 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 10 of 51 424 U.S. at 13 n.16, see also North Carolina Right to Life, Inc. v. Leake, 525 F.3d 274, 281 (4th Cir. 2008) (citing Buckley, 424 U.S. at 13). 41. All law regulating political speech must comply with the First Amendment, which provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” See U.S. Const., amend. I (1791). 42. The First Amendment guards against overbreadth, and applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, regardless of whether it is through the Due Process Clause or the Privileges and Immunities Clause. See Buckley, 424 U.S. at 80; see also Gitlow v. New York, 268 U.S. 652, 666 (1925) (freedom of speech and freedom of the press); see also McDonald v. City of Chicago, 561 U.S. 742, __, 130 S.Ct. 3020, 3059, 3062-63 (2010) (Thomas, J., concurring in part and concurring in the judgment). 43. The Government’s power to regulate elections is an exception to the norm of freedom of speech. See Citizens Against Rent Control v. City of Berkeley, 454 U.S. 290, 296-97 (1981). The power to regulate elections is also self-limiting. To ensure that regulations are not “impermissibly broad,” Buckley establishes that government may, subject to further inquiry, have the power to regulate donations 10 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 11 of 51 received and spending for political speech only when they are “unambiguously related to the campaign of a particular ... candidate” in the jurisdiction in question, or “unambiguously campaign related” for short. Buckley, 424 U.S. at 80-81. This principle helps ensure that government regulates only speech that it has the “power to regulate,” i.e., speech that government has a constitutional interest in regulating. Leake, 525 F.3d at 281-82 (citing Buckley, 424 U.S. at 80). This principle is part of the larger principle that law regulating political speech must not be unconstitutionally overbroad. See Buckley, 424 U.S. at 80 (construing statute so that its reach no impermissibly broad). 44. It is axiomatic that “[t]he government’s authority to regulate in this area extends only to money raised and spent for speech that is clearly election related; ordinary political speech about issues, policy, and public officials must remain unencumbered.” Wisconsin Right to Life v. Barland, 751 F.3d 804, 810-11 (7th Cir. 2014) (citing Buckley, 424 U.S. at 42-44, 78- 80). 45. “[B]ecause political speech is at the core of the First Amendment right, overbreadth and vagueness concerns loom large in this area, especially when the regulatory scheme reaches beyond candidates, their campaign committees, and political parties. To protect against an unconstitutional chill on issue advocacy by independent speakers, Buckley held that campaign-finance regulation must be precise, clear, and may only extend to speech that is ‘unambiguously related to the 11 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 12 of 51 campaign of a particular federal candidate.’” Id. at 811 (citing Buckley, 424 U.S. at 80). Further, “[b]ecause First Amendment freedoms need breathing space to survive, government may regulate in [this] area only with narrow specificity.” Buckley, 424 U.S. at 41 n. 48 (quoting NAACP v. Button, 371 U.S. 415, 433 (1963)). 46. Most succinctly stated, “the First Amendment forbids the government from regulating political expression that does not ‘in express terms advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate.’” Barland, 751 F.3d at 811 (quoting Buckley, 424 U.S. at 44) FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF (The Tutvedt Mailing, and Similar Communications, are Not Express Advocacy and Therefore are Not Subject to Regulation Under Montana’s Election Statutes) 47. NAGR re-alleges and incorporates by reference all allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs. 48. It is well-settled that political expression that does not advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate may not be regulated. Id. 49. The Tutvedt Mailing, and those like it, do not advocate for or against any candidate but simply inform the public regarding the political positions of individuals running for public office. 50. Because these types of mailings do not expressly advocate for or 12 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 13 of 51 against any candidate, they are not subject to regulation under Montana’s election statutes and cannot be deemed to be contributions or expenditures subject to regulation. 51. Pursuant to § 13-1-101 (9)(a), a contribution “. . . is anything of value to support or oppose a candidate,” or an “expenditure, including an in-kind expenditure, that is made in coordination with a candidate . . .” which is “reportable by the candidate or ballot issue committee as a contribution.” 52. § 13-1-101 (17)(a) defines an expenditure as: a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, promise, pledge, or gift of money or anything of value: (i) made by a candidate or political committee to support or oppose a candidate or a ballot issue; or (ii) used or intended for use in making independent expenditures or in producing electioneering communications. (Emphasis Added). 53. Violations of this statute may result in penalties and fines. 54. The Commissioner has already stated that he intends to enforce these statutes against NAGR, and others, for issue advocacy mailings like the Tutvedt Mailing. See Summary of Facts and Findings of Sufficient Evidence to Show a Violation of Montana’s Campaign Practices Act, attached hereto as Exhibit 2. 13 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 14 of 51 55. NAGR reasonably fears that the Commissioner will use the above- cited statutes to classify such mailings as contributions or expenditures and impose penalties against NAGR if it publishes issue advocacy materials in Montana of the kind depicted in Exhibit 1 without registering as political committee. SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Montana’s Regulations of “Electioneering Communications” Encompasses Issue Advocacy And Is Substantially Overbroad Under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution) 56. NAGR re-alleges and incorporates by reference all allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs. 57. Section 13-1-101(15)(a), MCA, defines “electioneering communication” as “a paid communication that is publicly distributed by radio, television, cable, satellite, internet website, newspaper, periodical, billboard, mail, or any other distribution of printed materials, that is made within 60 days of the initiation of voting in an election, that does not support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue, that can be received by more than 100 recipients in the district voting on the candidate or ballot issue, and that: (i) refers to one or more clearly identified candidates in that election; (ii) depicts the name, image, likeness, or voice of one or more clearly identified candidates in that election; or (iii) refers to a political party, ballot issue, or other question submitted to the voters in that election.” 58. Groups that make electioneering communications are required to 14 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 15 of 51 register as political committees and comply with the numerous regulations, such as: registration (§ 13-37-201(b), MCA), appointment of a campaign treasurer (§§ 13-37-201 to -204, MCA), creation of a campaign depository, (§ 13-37-205, MCA), record keeping requirements, (§§ 13-37-207, -208), and various reporting requirements (§ 13-37-225 to 231, MCA); Rules 44.11.301 to 44.11.506, ARM. 59. On their face, Montana’s regulations concerning “electioneering communication” are so overbroad that they burden a substantial amount of protected free speech when judged in relation to the statute’s plainly legitimate sweep. See Barland, 751 F.3d at 836. 60. These regulations therefore violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as incorporated to apply to the States under the Fourteenth Amendment. 61. Violations of these statutes result in penalties and fines. 62. NAGR reasonably fears that the Commissioner will enforce the above-cited statutes and impose penalties against NAGR if it publishes issue advocacy materials in Montana of the kind depicted in Exhibit 1 without registering as political committee. 15 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 16 of 51 THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF Montana’s Compelled Vote-Reporting Provision Violates the First Amendment 63. Plaintiff re-alleges and incorporates by reference all allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs. 64. Montana’s Compelled-Vote-Reporting Provision, § 13-35-225(3)(a), MCA, requires printed election material that “includes information about another candidate’s voting record” to also include the following: “(i) a reference to the particular vote or votes upon which the information is based; (ii) a disclosure of all votes made by the candidate on the same legislative bill or enactment; and (iii) a statement, signed as provided in subsection (3)(b), that to the best of the signer’s knowledge, the statements made about the other candidate’s voting record are accurate and true.” 65. Montana’s Compelled-Vote-Reporting Provision compels speakers such as NAGR who publish issue advocacy material containing information about a candidate’s voting record to also communicate additional information that they would otherwise not communicate. 66. Montana has no compelling interest in requiring speakers to involuntarily convey information in their issue advocacy communications, nor is the statute narrowly tailored. 67. Montana’s Compelled-Vote-Reporting Provision therefore violates 16 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 17 of 51 the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as incorporated to apply to the States under the Fourteenth Amendment. 68. Violations of this statute may result in penalties and fines. 69. NAGR reasonably fears that the Commissioner will enforce Montana’s Compelled-Vote-Reporting Provision and regulations and impose penalties against NAGR if it publishes issue advocacy materials in Montana of the kind depicted in Exhibit 1 without including extraneous information concerning a candidate’s voting record. PRAYER FOR RELIEF A. A declaratory judgment that the Tutvedt Mailing is not express advocacy and therefore not a contribution or expenditure subject to regulation under Montana’s election statutes and that NAGR is not required to register as a political committee. B. A declaratory judgment that §§ 13-1-101(15), as well as § 13-35- 225(3)(a), are unconstitutional on their face and as applied to NAGR’s proposed communications; C. Preliminary and permanent injunctions enjoining Defendants and all successors in office from enforcing all challenged provisions against NAGR. D. Costs and attorney fees pursuant to any applicable statute or authority. 17 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 18 of 51 E. Any other relief this Court in its discretion deems just and appropriate. REQUEST FOR JURY TRIAL Plaintiff requests a jury trial as to all issues so triable. DATED: March 18, 2016 /s/ Matthew G. Monforton Matthew G. Monforton Monforton Law Offices, PLLC 32 Kelly Court Bozeman, Montana 59718 Telephone: (406) 570-2949 Facsimile: (406) 551-6919 Attorney for Plaintiff 18 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 19 of 51 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 20 of 51 EXHIBIT 1 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 21 of 51 EXHIBIT 1 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 22 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 23 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 24 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 25 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 26 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 27 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 28 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 29 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 30 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 31 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 32 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 33 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 34 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 35 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 36 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 37 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 38 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 39 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 40 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 41 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 42 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 43 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 44 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 45 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 46 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 47 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 48 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 49 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 50 of 51 EXHIBIT 2 Case 6:16-cv-00023-DLC Document 1 Filed 03/18/16 Page 51 of 51 EXHIBIT 2
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