Case: Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission v. Indiana Secretary of State

4:16-cv-00029 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Filed Date: Feb. 25, 2016

Closed Date: April 14, 2016

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This 2016 class action lawsuit challenged the constitutionality of Indiana Code § 3-5-5-17, which provided that persons who are committed to a psychiatric institution did not gain residency for voting purposes in the precinct where the institution is located, and raised claims that the statute burdens and discriminates against persons with disabilities in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The case was filed on February 25, 2016 in the So…

This 2016 class action lawsuit challenged the constitutionality of Indiana Code § 3-5-5-17, which provided that persons who are committed to a psychiatric institution did not gain residency for voting purposes in the precinct where the institution is located, and raised claims that the statute burdens and discriminates against persons with disabilities in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The case was filed on February 25, 2016 in the Southern District of Indiana federal district court and was assigned to Judge Sarah Evans Barker.  The ACLU of Indiana and the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (now Indiana Disability Rights) represented the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission and an individual plaintiff. Plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary injunction, but the court did not issue a ruling. Despite the clear language of the statute, defendants agreed to interpret the statute to not preclude a person who is adjudged mentally ill and committed to an institution for individuals with a mental illness from gaining residency in the precinct in which the institution is located. Parties agreed to a Stipulation of Dismissal on April 14, 2016. According to the terms of dismissal, the state agreed that a person who is adjudged mentally ill and committed to a psychiatric institution for individuals may gain residency in the voting precinct in which the institution is located. Such a person may present facts and conduct to rebut the presumption that he or she is not a resident of the precinct in which the institution is located or may choose to register to vote in the precinct where he or she resided prior to his or her commitment. 

Summary Authors

NDRN (8/11/2022)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4509526/parties/indiana-protection-and-advocacy-services-commission-v-indiana-secretary-of/


Judge(s)

Barker, Sarah Evans (Indiana)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Alberts, Sierra L. (Indiana)

CLAIRMONT, JOY P. (Indiana)

COLLINS, TODD S. (Indiana)

Attorney for Defendant

Brelage, Rebecca A. (Indiana)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

4:16-cv-00029

Class Action Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief/Notice of Challenge to the Constitutionality of a State Statute

Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services v. Indiana Secretary of State

Feb. 25, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

Complaint
11

4:16-cv-00029

Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services v. Indiana Secretary of State

March 1, 2016

March 1, 2016

Pleading / Motion / Brief
19

4:16-cv-00029

Stipulation to Dismissal of Action

Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services v. Indiana Secretary of State

April 12, 2016

April 12, 2016

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4509526/indiana-protection-and-advocacy-services-commission-v-indiana-secretary-of/

Last updated Feb. 24, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT (-Class Action- for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief / Notice of Challenge to Constitutionality of a State Statute against All Defendants, filed by All Plaintiffs. (Filing fee $400, receipt number 0756-3791734) (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Proposed Summons)(Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 02/25/2016)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Proposed Summons

View on PACER

Feb. 25, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Kenneth J. Falk on behalf of Plaintiffs PATRICIA FEATHERSTON, INDIANA PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES COMMISSION. (Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 02/25/2016)

Feb. 25, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

PACER
3

NOTICE of Appearance by Gavin Minor Rose on behalf of Plaintiffs PATRICIA FEATHERSTON, INDIANA PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES COMMISSION. (Rose, Gavin) (Entered: 02/25/2016)

Feb. 25, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

PACER
4

NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas E. Crishon on behalf of Plaintiffs PATRICIA FEATHERSTON, INDIANA PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES COMMISSION. (Crishon, Thomas) (Entered: 02/25/2016)

Feb. 25, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

PACER
5

NOTICE of Appearance by Melissa Keyes on behalf of Plaintiffs PATRICIA FEATHERSTON, INDIANA PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES COMMISSION. (Keyes, Melissa) (Entered: 02/25/2016)

Feb. 25, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

PACER
6

NOTICE of Appearance by Grant E. Helms on behalf of Plaintiffs PATRICIA FEATHERSTON, INDIANA PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES COMMISSION. (Helms, Grant) (Entered: 02/25/2016)

Feb. 25, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

PACER
7

Summons Issued as to CLERK, JEFFERSON COUNTY, INDIANA, INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE, THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE INDIANA ELECTION COMMISSION, THE STATE OF INDIANA. (MAG) (Entered: 02/26/2016)

Feb. 26, 2016

Feb. 26, 2016

PACER
8

MAGISTRATE JUDGE's NOTICE of Availability to Exercise Jurisdiction issued. (MAG) (Entered: 02/26/2016)

Feb. 26, 2016

Feb. 26, 2016

PACER
9

Submission of Signature Requirement re 5 Notice of Appearance by All Plaintiffs. (Keyes, Melissa) (Entered: 02/26/2016)

Feb. 26, 2016

Feb. 26, 2016

PACER
10

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Plaintiffs PATRICIA FEATHERSTON, INDIANA PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES COMMISSION. (Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 03/01/2016)

March 1, 2016

March 1, 2016

RECAP
11

BRIEF/MEMORANDUM in Support re 10 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Plaintiffs PATRICIA FEATHERSTON, INDIANA PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES COMMISSION. (Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 03/01/2016)

March 1, 2016

March 1, 2016

Clearinghouse
12

Submission of Proposed Order, re 10 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Plaintiffs PATRICIA FEATHERSTON, INDIANA PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES COMMISSION. (Rose, Gavin) (Entered: 03/02/2016)

March 2, 2016

March 2, 2016

PACER
13

NOTICE of Appearance by Joseph A. Colussi on behalf of Defendant CLERK, JEFFERSON COUNTY, INDIANA. (Colussi, Joseph) (Entered: 03/03/2016)

March 3, 2016

March 3, 2016

PACER
14

MOTION for Extension of Time to 4/25/2016 to Answer or Otherwise Plead Pursuant to Local Rule 6-1(b), filed by Defendant CLERK, JEFFERSON COUNTY, INDIANA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Colussi, Joseph) (Entered: 03/03/2016)

March 3, 2016

March 3, 2016

PACER
15

NOTICE of Appearance by Rebecca A. Brelage on behalf of Defendants INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE, THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE INDIANA ELECTION COMMISSION, THE STATE OF INDIANA. (Brelage, Rebecca) (Entered: 03/04/2016)

March 4, 2016

March 4, 2016

PACER
16

NOTICE of Appearance by Nikki G. Ashmore on behalf of Defendants INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE, THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE INDIANA ELECTION COMMISSION, THE STATE OF INDIANA. (Ashmore, Nikki) (Entered: 03/04/2016)

March 4, 2016

March 4, 2016

PACER
17

NOTICE of Appearance by Patricia H. Strachan on behalf of Defendants INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE, THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE INDIANA ELECTION COMMISSION, THE STATE OF INDIANA. (Strachan, Patricia) (Entered: 03/04/2016)

March 4, 2016

March 4, 2016

PACER
18

ORDER granting 14 Motion for Extension of Time. Clerk of Jefferson County, Indiana, shall have an extension of thirty days from the date of this order to answer or otherwise plead to the Plaintiffs' complaint. Signed by Judge Sarah Evans Barker on 3/15/2016. (LBT) (Entered: 03/15/2016)

March 15, 2016

March 15, 2016

PACER
19

STIPULATION of Dismissal, filed by Plaintiffs PATRICIA FEATHERSTON, INDIANA PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES COMMISSION. (Falk, Kenneth) (Entered: 04/12/2016)

April 12, 2016

April 12, 2016

Clearinghouse
20

CLOSED DISMISSED, without prejudice, with the parties to pay their own costs and attorneys' fees. Signed by Judge Sarah Evans Barker on 4/14/2016.(LBT) (Entered: 04/14/2016)

April 14, 2016

April 14, 2016

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Indiana

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Election/Voting Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 25, 2016

Closing Date: April 14, 2016

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

organizational plaintiffs

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Mooted before ruling

Defendants

State of Indiana, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act), 29 U.S.C. § 701

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Conditional Dismissal

Issues

Disability and Disability Rights:

Mental impairment

P&A Associational Standing

Voting:

Election administration

Voter qualifications

Discrimination-basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)