Memorandum Opinion and Order

On October 19, 2000, and with the consent of the parties, the court consolidated the plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction with a trial on the merits pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(a)(2). Neither party objected to the consolidation. The plaintiffs submitted the issue on oral argument and brief; the defendant submitted the issue on oral argument. The court ORDERED a permanent injunction, which prevented the defendant from refusing to certify the plaintiffs, Phillips and Frazier, as official write-in candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States provided that such plaintiffs filed a certificate of announcement before October 24, 2000. Further, the court DENIED AS MOOT plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction. The court now writes to explain its decision.