Georgia Absentee Ballots Settlement

Case 1:19-cv-05028-WMR Document 56-1 Filed 03/06/20 Page 1 of 7
Attachment A
COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
This Compromise Settlement Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is

made and entered into by and between the Democratic Party of Georgia, Inc.
(“DPG”), the DSCC, and the DCCC (collectively, the “Political Party Committees”),
on one side, and Brad Raffensperger, Rebecca N. Sullivan, David J. Worley, Seth
Harp, and Anh Le (collectively, “State Defendants”), on the other side. The parties
to this Agreement may be referred to individually as a “Party” or collectively as the
“Parties.” The Agreement will take effect when each and every Party has signed it,
as of the date of the last signature (the “Effective Date”).
WHEREAS, in the lawsuit styled as Democratic Party of Georgia, et al. v.

Raffensperger, et al., Civil Action File No. 1:19-cv-5028-WMR (the “Lawsuit”), the
Political Party Committees have asserted claims in their Amended Complaint [Doc.
30] that the State Defendants’ (i) absentee ballot signature matching procedure, (ii)
notification process when an absentee ballot is rejected for any reason, and
(iii) procedure for curing a rejected absentee ballot, violate the First and Fourteenth
Amendments to the United States Constitution by unduly burdening the right to vote,
subjecting similarly situated voters to disparate treatment, and failing to afford
Georgia voters due process (the “Claims”), which the State Defendants deny;
WHEREAS, the State Defendants, in their capacity as members of the State

Election Board, adopted on February 28, 2020 Rule 183-1-14-.13, which sets forth
specific and standard notification procedures that all counties must follow after
rejection of a timely mail-in absentee ballot;
WHEREAS, the State Defendants have a Motion to Dismiss [Doc. 45]

pending before the Court, which sets forth various grounds for dismissal of the
Amended Complaint, including mootness in light of the State Election Board’s
promulgation subsequent to adoption on February 28, 2020 of Rule 183-1-14-.13,
which Motion the Political Party Committees deny is meritorious;
WHEREAS, all Parties desire to compromise and settle all disputed issues
and claims arising from the Lawsuit, finally and fully, without admission of liability,
having agreed on the procedures and guidance set forth below with respect to the
signature matching and absentee ballot rejection notification and cure procedures;
and
WHEREAS, by entering into this Agreement, the Political Party Committees

do not concede that the challenged laws and procedures are constitutional, and
similarly, the State Defendants do not concede that the challenged laws and
procedures are unconstitutional.
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the promises and covenants

contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties do hereby agree as follows:
1. Dismissal. Within five (5) business days of March 22, 2020, the
effective date of the Prompt Notification of Absentee Ballot Rejection rule specified
in paragraph 2(a), the Political Party Committees shall dismiss the Lawsuit with
prejudice as to the State Defendants.
2. Prompt Notification of Absentee Ballot Rejection.
(a) The State Defendants, in their capacity as members of the State Election
Board, agree to promulgate and enforce, in accordance with the Georgia
Administrative Procedures Act and State Election Board policy, the following State
Election Board Rule 183-1-14-.13 of the Georgia Rules and Regulations:
When a timely submitted absentee ballot is rejected, the board of

registrars or absentee ballot clerk shall send the elector notice of such
rejection and opportunity to cure, as provided by O.C.G.A. § 21-2-386,
by mailing written notice, and attempt to notify the elector by telephone
and email if a telephone number or email is on the elector’s voter
registration record, no later than the close of business on the third
business day after receiving the absentee ballot. However, for any
timely submitted absentee ballot that is rejected on or after the second
Friday prior to Election Day, the board of registrars or absentee ballot
clerk shall send the elector notice of such rejection and opportunity to
cure, as provided by O.C.G.A. § 21-2-386, by mailing written notice,
and attempt to notify the elector by telephone and email if a telephone
number or email is on the elector’s voter registration record, no later
than close of business on the next business day.
Ga. R. & Reg. § 183-1-14-.13 Prompt Notification of Absentee Ballot

Rejection
(b) Unless otherwise required by law, State Defendants agree that any
amendments to Rule 183-1-14-.13 will be made in good faith in the spirit of ensuring
that voters are notified of rejection of their absentee ballots with ample time to cure
2
their ballots. The Political Party Committees agree that the State Election Board’s
proposed amendment to Rule 183-1-14-.13 to use contact information on absentee
ballot applications to notify the voter fits within that spirit.
3. Signature Match.
(a) Secretary of State Raffensperger, in his official capacity as Secretary of

State, agrees to issue an Official Election Bulletin containing the following
procedure applicable to the review of signatures on absentee ballot envelopes by
county elections officials and to incorporate the procedure below in training
materials regarding the review of absentee ballot signatures for county registrars:
County registrars and absentee ballot clerks are required, upon receipt
of each mail-in absentee ballot, to compare the signature or mark of the
elector on the mail-in absentee ballot envelope with the signatures or
marks in eNet and on the application for the mail-in absentee ballot. If
the signature does not appear to be valid, registrars and clerks are
required to follow the procedure set forth in O.C.G.A. § 21-2-
386(a)(1)(C). When reviewing an elector’s signature on the mail-in
absentee ballot envelope, the registrar or clerk must compare the
signature on the mail-in absentee ballot envelope to each signature
contained in such elector’s voter registration record in eNet and the
elector’s signature on the application for the mail-in absentee ballot. If
the registrar or absentee ballot clerk determines that the voter’s
signature on the mail-in absentee ballot envelope does not match any
of the voter’s signatures on file in eNet or on the absentee ballot
application, the registrar or absentee ballot clerk must seek review from
two other registrars, deputy registrars, or absentee ballot clerks. A mail-
in absentee ballot shall not be rejected unless a majority of the
registrars, deputy registrars, or absentee ballot clerks reviewing the
signature agree that the signature does not match any of the voter’s
signatures on file in eNet or on the absentee ballot application. If a
determination is made that the elector’s signature on the mail-in
absentee ballot envelope does not match any of the voter’s signatures
on file in eNet or on the absentee ballot application, the registrar or
absentee ballot clerk shall write the names of the three elections
officials who conducted the signature review across the face of the
absentee ballot envelope, which shall be in addition to writing
“Rejected” and the reason for the rejection as required under OCGA
21-2-386(a)(1)(C). Then, the registrar or absentee ballot clerk shall
3
commence the notification procedure set forth in O.C.G.A. § 21-2-

386(a)(1)(C) and State Election Board Rule 183-1-14-.13.
(b) The Parties agree that the guidance in paragraph 3(a) shall be issued in
advance of all statewide elections in 2020, including the March 24, 2020 Presidential
Primary Elections and the November 3, 2020 General Election.
4. Consideration of Additional Guidance for Signature Matching.

The State Defendants agree to consider in good faith providing county registrars and
absentee ballot clerks with additional guidance and training materials to follow when
comparing voters’ signatures that will be drafted by the Political Party Committees’
handwriting and signature review expert.
5. Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses. The Parties to this Agreement shall

bear their own attorney’s fees and costs incurred in bringing or defending this action,
and no party shall be considered to be a prevailing party for the purpose of any law,
statute, or regulation providing for the award or recovery of attorney’s fees and/or
costs.
6. Release by The Political Party Committees. The Political Party

Committees, on behalf of themselves and their successors, affiliates, and
representatives, release and forever discharge the State Defendants, and each of their
successors and representatives, from the prompt notification of absentee ballot
rejection and signature match claims and causes of action, whether legal or equitable,
in the Lawsuit.
7. No Admission of Liability. It is understood and agreed by the Parties

that this Agreement is a compromise and is being executed to settle a dispute.
Nothing contained herein may be construed as an admission of liability on the part
of any of the Parties.
8. Authority to Bind; No Prior Assignment of Released Claims. The

Parties represent and warrant that they have full authority to enter into this
Agreement and bind themselves to its terms.
9. No Presumptions. The Parties acknowledge that they have had input

into the drafting of this Agreement or, alternatively, have had an opportunity to have
input into the drafting of this Agreement. The Parties agree that this Agreement is
and shall be deemed jointly drafted and written by all Parties to it, and it shall be
interpreted fairly, reasonably, and not more strongly against one Party than the other.
4
Accordingly, if a dispute arises about the meaning, construction, or interpretation of

this Agreement, no presumption will apply to construe the language of this
Agreement for or against any Party.
10. Knowing and Voluntary Agreement. Each Party to this Agreement

acknowledges that it is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and of its own free
will and accord, and seeks to be bound hereunder. The Parties further acknowledge
that they have retained their own legal counsel in this matter or have had the
opportunity to retain legal counsel to review this Agreement.
11. Choice of Law, Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement will be

construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. In the event of any
dispute arising out of or in any way related to this Agreement, the Parties consent to
the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts located in Fulton County,
Georgia. The Parties waive any objection to jurisdiction and venue of those courts.
12. Entire Agreement; Modification. This Agreement sets forth the entire
agreement between the Parties hereto, and fully supersedes any prior agreements or
understandings between the Parties. The Parties acknowledge that they have not
relied on any representations, promises, or agreements of any kind made to them in
connection with their decision to accept this Agreement, except for those set forth in
this Agreement.
13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which,

taken together, will constitute one and the same Agreement and will be effective as
of the date last set forth below, and signatures by facsimile and electronic mail will
have the same effect as the originals.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have set their hands and seals to
this instrument on the date set forth below.
5
Dated: March 6, 2020
/s/ Bruce V. Spiva /s/ Vincent R. Russo
Marc E. Elias* Christopher M. Carr 112505

Bruce V. Spiva* Attorney General
John Devaney* Bryan K. Webb 743580
Amanda R. Callais* Deputy Attorney General
K’Shaani Smith* Russell D. Willard 760280
Emily R. Brailey* Senior Assistant Attorney General
PERKINS COIE LLP Charlene S. McGowan 697316
700 Thirteenth Street, N.W., Suite 800 Assistant Attorney General
Washington, D.C. 20005-3960 Office of the Georgia Attorney
Telephone: (202) 654-6200 General
Facsimile: (202) 654-6211 40 Capitol Square S.W.
[email protected] Atlanta, GA 30334
[email protected] [email protected]
[email protected] Telephone: (404) 656-3389
[email protected] Facsimile: (404) 651-9325
[email protected]
Vincent R. Russo
*Admitted Pro Hac Vice Georgia Bar No. 242628
[email protected]
Halsey G. Knapp, Jr. Josh Belinfante
Georgia Bar No. 425320 Georgia Bar No. 047399
Joyce Gist Lewis [email protected]
Georgia Bar No. 296261 ROBBINS ROSS ALLOY
Adam M. Sparks BELINFANTE LITTLEFIELD
Georgia Bar No. 341578 LLC
KREVOLIN & HORST, LLC 500 14th Street, N.W.
One Atlantic Center Atlanta, Georgia 30318
1201 W. Peachtree St., NW, Suite 3250 Telephone: (678) 701-9381
Atlanta, GA 30309 Facsimile: (404) 856-3250
Telephone: (404) 888-9700
Facsimile: (404) 888-9577 Counsel for State Defendants
[email protected]
[email protected]
Counsel for Plaintiffs

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Case 1:19-cv-05028-WMR Document 56-1 Filed 03/06/20 Page 1 of 7

COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This Compromise Settlement Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is

WHEREAS, in the lawsuit styled as Democratic Party of Georgia, et al. v.

WHEREAS, the State Defendants, in their capacity as members of the State

WHEREAS, the State Defendants have a Motion to Dismiss [Doc. 45]

WHEREAS, by entering into this Agreement, the Political Party Committees

NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the promises and covenants

2. Prompt Notification of Absentee Ballot Rejection.

When a timely submitted absentee ballot is rejected, the board of

Ga. R. & Reg. § 183-1-14-.13 Prompt Notification of Absentee Ballot

(a) Secretary of State Raffensperger, in his official capacity as Secretary of

commence the notification procedure set forth in O.C.G.A. § 21-2-

4. Consideration of Additional Guidance for Signature Matching.

5. Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses. The Parties to this Agreement shall

6. Release by The Political Party Committees. The Political Party

7. No Admission of Liability. It is understood and agreed by the Parties

8. Authority to Bind; No Prior Assignment of Released Claims. The

9. No Presumptions. The Parties acknowledge that they have had input

Accordingly, if a dispute arises about the meaning, construction, or interpretation of

10. Knowing and Voluntary Agreement. Each Party to this Agreement

11. Choice of Law, Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement will be

13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which,

Dated: March 6, 2020

/s/ Bruce V. Spiva /s/ Vincent R. Russo

Marc E. Elias* Christopher M. Carr 112505

Counsel for Plaintiffs

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