2nd lawsuit challenges Obama's citizenship

RK

Man demands state verify birth records or remove senator from ballots
October 16, 2008

In a second lawsuit challenging Barack Obama's "natural born" citizenship

, a Washington resident is demanding officials review original or certified birth documents for the Democratic Party presidential candidate.

Steven Marquis of Fall City, Wash., filed suit Oct. 9 in Washington State Superior Court, calling for Secretary of State Sam Reed to determine whether Obama is a citizen before Election Day. Marquis released a statement saying the state has the authority to "prevent the wholesale disenfranchisement of voters" who might have otherwise had the opportunity to choose a qualified candidate should records show Obama is not a natural-born U.S. citizen.

"At this point, Mr. Obama has not allowed independent or official access to his birth records nor supporting hospital records," Marquis wrote. "The Hawaii Health Department has violated Federal law by ignoring formal Freedom of Information requests for the same."

Marquis referenced prominent Pennsylvania Democrat and attorney Philip J. Berg's lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Sen. Barack Obama

and the Democratic National Committee for proof of Obama's American citizenship.

"Mr. Obama failed to respond to the District Court's request to produce or allow access to the official documents (should they exist) and instead filed a motion to dismiss arguing the Plaintiff had no 'standing' or right to know," he said. "This non-response as of 9/24/2008 in Federal court casts doubt on the veracity of the electoral system and is the principal reason for this lawsuit."

Marquis said his late entry of the lawsuit is due to Obama's "delay and subsequent non response to reasonable request for valid certificates."

He indicated that his requests for certification of the birth documents were rejected by Washington's Office of the Secretary of State. Marquis requested an injunction to force the office to confirm Obama's U.S. citizenship or remove his name from Washington ballots. He said the agency is "specifically charged with certifying and guaranteeing the veracity of official documents and overseeing the elections to wit the people's confidence in the fundamental aspect of democracy is maintained."

However, Marquis continued, "To date, in this regard, Secretary of State Sam Reed has not carried out that fundamental duty."