Case: 12-16881 08/31/2012 ID: 8308035 DktEntry: 12 Page: 1 of 61 No. 12-16881, 12-16882 ___________ IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT ____________________________________________________ WENDY TOWNLEY, et al., Plaintiffs/Appellees, v. ROSS MILLER, Secretary of State of Nevada, Defendant/Appellant. and KINGSLEY EDWARDS, Intervenor/Defendant/Appellant ______________________________________________________ On Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Nevada Robert C. Jones, District Judge Case No. 3:12-cv-00310-RCJ-WGC ______________________________________________________ APPELLEES/PLAINTIFFS’ OPPOSITION TO APPELLANT/DEFENDANT ROSS MILLER’S AND APPELLANT EDWARDS’ EMERGENCY MOTION FOR STAY OF ORDER GRANTING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ______________________________________________________ P. SWEN PRIOR, ESQ. Nevada Bar No. 9321 SNELL & WILMER L.L.P. 3883 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 1100 Las Vegas, NV 89169 Telephone: (702) 784-5200 Facsimile: (702) 784-5252 Email:
[email protected] Attorneys for Appellees/Plaintiffs i Case: 12-16881 08/31/2012 ID: 8308035 DktEntry: 12 Page: 2 of 61 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 1 STATUTORY BACKGROUND ......................................................... 10 ARGUMENT ...................................................................................... 12 I. A STAY IS NOT NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE DEFENDANTS FROM IRREPARABLE INJURY ................. 13 II. THE BALANCE OF EQUITIES