to this matter, addressed issues of standing and equal protection relevant to the
Plaintiffs’ claims.33
Thereafter, on Sunday, November 15, 2020 – the day Plaintiffs’ response to
Defendants’ motions to dismiss was due – Plaintiffs filed a First Amended
Complaint (the “FAC”) with the Court. This new complaint excised five of the
seven counts from the original complaint, leaving just two claims: one equalprotection claim, and one Electors and Elections Clauses claim.34 In addition, a
review of the redline attached to the FAC shows that Plaintiffs deleted numerous
allegations that were pled in the original complaint.
Plaintiffs acknowledge that under the Third Circuit’s decision in Bognet, this
Court cannot find that Plaintiffs have standing for their Elections and Electors
Clauses claim in the FAC. Plaintiffs represent that they have included this claim in
the FAC to preserve the argument for appellate review. Because Plaintiffs have
made this concession, and because the Third Circuit’s decision in Bognet is clear,
this Court dismisses Count II for lack of standing without further discussion.
Defendants filed new motions to dismiss and briefs in support thereof on
November 16, 2020. That evening, less than 24 hours before oral argument was to
begin, Plaintiffs instituted a second series of substitutions in counsel. Ms. Kerns,
33
34
For example, Bognet held that only the General Assembly had standing to raise claims under
the Elections and Electors Clauses. Id. at *7. This ruling effectively shut the door on
Plaintiffs’ allegations under those clauses of the Constitution.
Doc. 125.
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