Bernie Sanders Supporters to File Emergency Injunction Against Calif. Primary

yvyv_sanders_abc-15

iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Attorneys representing a group of Bernie Sanders supporters informed San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera Thursday night that they plan to file an “emergency request” with U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup in the city Friday “for a preliminary injunction” in California’s June 7 presidential primary,” Herrera’s office said.

“I think it’s unfortunate — and selfish, frankly — that these plaintiffs would inject confusion and uncertainty into an election that has been underway for weeks,” Herrera said in a statement Thursday night. “San Francisco’s Department of Elections and its employees have been doing an exemplary job, and I’m equally confident that our co-defendants are also meeting or exceeding their legal duties. This lawsuit is without merit, and there is no basis for an emergency injunction. I intend to fight it aggressively.”

Voting by mail began in California May 9.

A news release from the Office of the City Attorney, noted, “San Francisco, Alameda County, and state elections officials were sued last week by an unincorporated association of Sanders backers called the ‘Voting Rights Defense Project,’ who together with the American Independence Party and two San Francisco voters leveled an array of allegations in their May 20 civil complaint that Herrera calls wholly baseless.”

The release continued, “The activists are seeking sweeping injunctive relief in their suit, including provisions to force 58 counties to segregate ballots already cast by unaffiliated voters; to allow “re-votes” by those voters for presidential primary candidates; and to extend the state’s voter registration deadline — which passed on May 23 for eligibility to vote in the June 7 primary — until election day itself.”

Two lawyers for the group — William M. Simpich and Stephen R. Jaffe — did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

Sanders has not issued a statement on the matter.

Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.