Case: Jobs for Downriver v. Whitmer

2:20-cv-12115 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: Aug. 5, 2020

Closed Date: Aug. 25, 2020

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about challenges to Michigan ballot signature requirements. On August 5, 2020, local ballot committees of several cities in Michigan filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The plaintiffs sued the Governor of Michigan, the Secretary of State, Director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections as well as various city clerks for violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments under 42 U.S.C. §1983. Represented by private counsel, the…

This is a case about challenges to Michigan ballot signature requirements. On August 5, 2020, local ballot committees of several cities in Michigan filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The plaintiffs sued the Governor of Michigan, the Secretary of State, Director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections as well as various city clerks for violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments under 42 U.S.C. §1983. Represented by private counsel, the plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief in the form of nonenforcement of the signature requirements. They claimed that due to the ongoing COVID-19 regulations imposed by the governor, the plaintiffs were unable to fulfill the signature requirements to allow their measure regarding the regulation and licensing of marijuana establishments to be placed on the ballot for the upcoming November 2020 election. They claimed that because most signatures are gathered from large groups in public places, a practice that was banned by the COVID-19 regulations, enforcement of the signature requirement was unconstitutional. The case was assigned to Judge George Caram Steeh III and was referred to Magistrate Elizabeth A. Stafford. 

The City of Plymouth and its city clerk filed their answer to the complaint on August 20, 2020.

The defendants each filed individual responses to the temporary restraining orders from August 17 to August 24, 2020. On August 25, 2020, the case was dismissed with prejudice after the plaintiffs stipulated to its dismissal. We were unable to find any further information on the reason for the dismissal. The case is now closed. 

Summary Authors

Rhea Sharma (1/26/2022)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17417886/parties/jobs-for-downriver-v-michigan-state-of-governor/


Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

2:20-cv-12115

Docket [PACER]

Aug. 25, 2020

Aug. 25, 2020

Docket
1

2:20-cv-12115

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Aug. 5, 2020

Aug. 5, 2020

Complaint

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17417886/jobs-for-downriver-v-michigan-state-of-governor/

Last updated Aug. 27, 2026, 4:52 a.m.

Docket for: Jobs for Downriver v. Michigan, State of - Governor
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Aug. 5, 2020

COMPLAINT filed by All Plaintiffs against All Defendants. Plaintiff requests summons issued. Receipt No: AMIEDC-7970796 - Fee: $ 400. County of 1st Plaintiff: Wayne - County Where Action Arose: Wayne - County of 1st Defendant: Ingham. [Previously dismissed case: No] [Possible companion case(s): None] (Blair, Kevin) (Entered: 08/05/2020)

Clearinghouse
2 Aug. 5, 2020

SUMMONS Issued for *Laura Pierce Auburn Hills City Clerk, City of Auburn HIlls, City of Flat Rock, City of Harper Woods, City of Plymouth, City of Saline, City of Wixom, Meaghan Bachman Flat Rock City Clerk, Leslie Frank Harper Woods City Clerk, Jonathan Brater Michigan Bureau of Elections, Jocelyn Benson Michigan Secretary of State, Michigan, State of - Governor, Maureen Brodie Plymouth City Clerk, Terri Royal Saline City Clerk, Catherine Buck Wixom City Clerk* (SKra) (Entered: 08/05/2020)

RECAP
Aug. 5, 2020

A United States Magistrate Judge of this Court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 636c and FRCP 73. The Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge form is available for download at http://www.mied.uscourts.gov (SKra)

Aug. 5, 2020

Notice to Parties of Consent of a Civil Action before a Magistrate Judge Option

3 Aug. 6, 2020

Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction by All Plaintiffs. (Blair, Kevin) (Entered: 08/06/2020)

RECAP
4 Aug. 6, 2020

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by All Plaintiffs (Blair, Kevin) (Entered: 08/06/2020)

RECAP
5 Aug. 7, 2020

NOTICE of Appearance by Douglas E. Mains on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Mains, Douglas) (Entered: 08/07/2020)

RECAP
6 Aug. 7, 2020

NOTICE OF HEARING BY VIDEO CONFERENCE on 3 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction. Response due by 8/17/2020, Reply due by 8/24/2020, Motion Hearing set for 8/31/2020 at 10:00 AM before District Judge George Caram Steeh. |Zoom Webinar Information: https://zoom.us/j/98753859094?pwd=OVQ0VDZxNGlyLzNtcXNadjlpdmZ6Zz09 Passcode: 346192 Or iPhone one-tap : US: +12532158782,,98753859094#,,,,,,0#,,346192# or +13017158592,,98753859094#,,,,,,0#,,346192#|. (BSau) (Entered: 08/07/2020)

RECAP
7 Aug. 8, 2020

NOTICE of Appearance by Brian Shekell on behalf of City of Saline, Terri Royal Saline City Clerk. (Shekell, Brian) (Entered: 08/08/2020)

RECAP
8 Aug. 8, 2020

NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher M. Trebilcock on behalf of City of Saline, Terri Royal Saline City Clerk. (Trebilcock, Christopher) (Entered: 08/08/2020)

RECAP
9 Aug. 11, 2020

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Heather S. Meingast appearing on behalf of Jonathan Brater Michigan Bureau of Elections, Jocelyn Benson Michigan Secretary of State, Michigan, State of - Governor (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 08/11/2020)

RECAP
10 Aug. 11, 2020

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Erik A. Grill appearing on behalf of Jonathan Brater Michigan Bureau of Elections, Jocelyn Benson Michigan Secretary of State, Michigan, State of - Governor (Grill, Erik) (Entered: 08/11/2020)

RECAP
11 Aug. 11, 2020

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Mark S. Roberts appearing on behalf of Laura Pierce Auburn Hills City Clerk, City of Auburn HIlls (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service) (Roberts, Mark) (Entered: 08/11/2020)

RECAP
12 Aug. 11, 2020

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Brian C. Grant appearing on behalf of City of Harper Woods, Leslie Frank Harper Woods City Clerk (Grant, Brian) (Entered: 08/11/2020)

RECAP
13 Aug. 12, 2020

NOTICE of Appearance by Anne McClorey McLaughlin on behalf of City of Wixom, Catherine Buck Wixom City Clerk. (McLaughlin, Anne) (Entered: 08/12/2020)

RECAP
14 Aug. 12, 2020

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Nathan D. Petrusak appearing on behalf of City of Harper Woods, Leslie Frank Harper Woods City Clerk (Petrusak, Nathan) (Entered: 08/12/2020)

RECAP
15 Aug. 14, 2020

NOTICE of Appearance by David B. Landry on behalf of City of Flat Rock. (Landry, David) (Entered: 08/14/2020)

RECAP
16 Aug. 14, 2020

NOTICE of Appearance by Robert J. Seibert on behalf of City of Plymouth. (Seibert, Robert) (Entered: 08/14/2020)

RECAP
17 Aug. 14, 2020

NOTICE of Appearance by Robert J. Seibert on behalf of Maureen Brodie Plymouth City Clerk. (Seibert, Robert) (Entered: 08/14/2020)

RECAP
18 Aug. 17, 2020

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Sharon A. DeWaele appearing on behalf of City of Harper Woods, Leslie Frank Harper Woods City Clerk (DeWaele, Sharon) (Entered: 08/17/2020)

RECAP
19 Aug. 17, 2020

RESPONSE to 3 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction filed by City of Saline, Terri Royal Saline City Clerk. (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit A - Declaration of Terri Royal, City Clerk for the City of Saline, # 3 Exhibit B - Statement of Organization form) (Shekell, Brian) (Entered: 08/17/2020)

RECAP
20 Aug. 17, 2020

RESPONSE to 3 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction Defs City of Flat Rock and Meaghan Bachman filed by City of Flat Rock. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Ex 1, # 2 Exhibit Ex 2, # 3 Exhibit Ex 3, # 4 Exhibit Ex 4, # 5 Exhibit Ex 5, # 6 Exhibit Ex 6) (Landry, David) (Entered: 08/17/2020)

RECAP
21 Aug. 17, 2020

RESPONSE to 3 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction filed by City of Plymouth. (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits Appendix of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit C) (Seibert, Robert) (Entered: 08/17/2020)

RECAP
22 Aug. 17, 2020

RESPONSE to 3 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction filed by Laura Pierce Auburn Hills City Clerk, City of Auburn HIlls. (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit) (Roberts, Mark) (Entered: 08/17/2020)

RECAP
23 Aug. 17, 2020

RESPONSE to 3 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction filed by City of Harper Woods, Leslie Frank Harper Woods City Clerk. (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit A Jobs for HW Statement of Organization, # 3 Exhibit B Affidavit of Leslie Frank, # 4 Exhibit C Harper Woods Code of Ordinances, # 5 Exhibit D Clean Green Utica Statement of Organization, # 6 Exhibit E Clean Green Utica Petitions, # 7 Exhibit F Kishore v Whitmer, # 8 Exhibit G Esshaki v Whitmer, # 9 Exhibit H Reclaim Idaho v Little, # 10 Exhibit I Little v Reclaim Idaho) (Petrusak, Nathan) (Entered: 08/17/2020)

RECAP
24 Aug. 17, 2020

MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages for Response to Motion by Jonathan Brater Michigan Bureau of Elections, Jocelyn Benson Michigan Secretary of State, Michigan, State of - Governor. (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 08/17/2020)

RECAP
25 Aug. 17, 2020

RESPONSE to 3 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction filed by Jonathan Brater Michigan Bureau of Elections, Jocelyn Benson Michigan Secretary of State, Michigan, State of - Governor. (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 08/17/2020)

RECAP
26 Aug. 17, 2020

RESPONSE to 3 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction filed by City of Wixom, Catherine Buck Wixom City Clerk. (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2, # 4 Exhibit 3, # 5 Exhibit 4, # 6 Exhibit 5, # 7 Exhibit 6, # 8 Exhibit 7, # 9 Exhibit 8, # 10 Exhibit 9) (McLaughlin, Anne) (Entered: 08/17/2020)

RECAP
Aug. 18, 2020

TEXT-ONLY ORDER Granting 24 MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages for Response to Motion filed by Michigan, State of - Governor, Jonathan Brater Michigan Bureau of Elections, Jocelyn Benson Michigan Secretary of State. Entered by District Judge George Caram Steeh. (BSau)

Aug. 18, 2020

~Util - Terminate Motions AND Text-Only Order

27 Aug. 19, 2020

RESPONSE to 3 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction (corrected copy of 26 ) filed by City of Wixom, Catherine Buck Wixom City Clerk. (McLaughlin, Anne) (Entered: 08/19/2020)

RECAP
28 Aug. 20, 2020

EXHIBIT B re 23 Response to Motion,, by City of Harper Woods, Leslie Frank Harper Woods City Clerk (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit B Affidavit of Leslie Frank) (Petrusak, Nathan) (Entered: 08/20/2020)

RECAP
29 Aug. 20, 2020

SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEF re 25 Response to Motion, filed by Jonathan Brater Michigan Bureau of Elections, Jocelyn Benson Michigan Secretary of State, Michigan, State of - Governor. (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits Exhibit List, # 2 Exhibit A. Detroit Unity - Order Denying TRO) (Meingast, Heather) (Entered: 08/20/2020)

RECAP
30 Aug. 20, 2020

NOTICE of Joinder/Concurrence in 29 Supplemental Brief, filed by Michigan, State of - Governor, Jonathan Brater Michigan Bureau of Elections, Jocelyn Benson Michigan Secretary of State by City of Wixom, Catherine Buck Wixom City Clerk (McLaughlin, Anne) (Entered: 08/20/2020)

RECAP
31 Aug. 20, 2020

ANSWER to Complaint by City of Plymouth, Maureen Brodie Plymouth City Clerk. (Seibert, Robert) (Entered: 08/20/2020)

RECAP
32 Aug. 24, 2020

REPLY to Response re 3 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction filed by All Plaintiffs. (Mains, Douglas) (Entered: 08/24/2020)

RECAP
33 Aug. 25, 2020

CERTIFICATE of Service/Summons Returned Executed. All Defendants. (Mains, Douglas) (Entered: 08/25/2020)

RECAP
34 Aug. 25, 2020

STIPULATION of Dismissal by All Plaintiffs (Mains, Douglas) (Entered: 08/25/2020)

RECAP
Aug. 25, 2020

TEXT-ONLY NOTICE: Motion Hearing on 8/31/2020 is Cancelled. Case dismissed with prejudice per 34 Stipulation of Dismissal. (BSau)

Aug. 25, 2020

Text-Only Notice of Hearing Cancelled

Case Details

State / Territory:

Michigan

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

Healthy Elections COVID litigation tracker

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 5, 2020

Closing Date: Aug. 25, 2020

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Local Michigan ballot committees

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City

City of Auburn Hills

City of Flat Rock

City of Harper Woods

City of Plymouth

City of Saline

City of Wixom

State

Governor of Michigan

Secretary of State of Michigan

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Michigan 2:20-cv-12115

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Voting:

Election administration

Voting: General & Misc.

Recommended Citation