Case: De La Fuente v. Kemp

1:16-cv-02937 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Filed Date: Aug. 12, 2016

Closed Date: Oct. 13, 2017

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

Plaintiff Roque De La Fuente, who ran as an independent candidate for President of the United States in 2016, filed a Complaint that challenges Defendant Brian J. Kemp's rejection of the filing of Plaintiff's slate of presidential electors as untimely under Georgia law and Plaintiff's subsequent ineligibility to appear on the general election ballot. Plaintiffs seek legal and equitable relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violations of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and for violations…

Plaintiff Roque De La Fuente, who ran as an independent candidate for President of the United States in 2016, filed a Complaint that challenges Defendant Brian J. Kemp's rejection of the filing of Plaintiff's slate of presidential electors as untimely under Georgia law and Plaintiff's subsequent ineligibility to appear on the general election ballot. Plaintiffs seek legal and equitable relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violations of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and for violations of the "Elections" Clause of the United States Constitution. Plaintiffs also move for Preliminary and Permanent Injunctions.

Plaintiff's Motion for a Preliminary Injunction and Permanent Injunction was denied on February 4, 2016.  Subsequently, Plaintiff's Motion for Emergency Mandamus and Preliminary Injunction was denied on August 30, 2016. Defendant's Motion to Dismiss was granted on March 17, 2017. Plaintiff's complaint  was dismissed without prejudice.

The court cited Supreme Court's decision in Burdick v. Takushi, 504 U.S. 428, 434, June 8, 1992, reaffirmed that a court evaluating a constitutional challenge to an election regulation weigh the asserted injury to the right to vote against the "precise interests put forward by the State as justifications for the burden imposed by its rule." (quoting Anderson v. Celebrezze, 460 U.S. 780, 789, April 19, 1983). The court decided that when a state election law provision imposes only "reasonable, nondiscriminatory restrictions" upon the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights of voters, "the State's important regulatory interests are generally sufficient to justify" the restrictions. Id.

The court also found that because Plaintiff provides no factual or legal basis for his allegation that the pre-national party convention deadline imposed under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-132(d)(1) upon independent and political body candidates for filing their slate of presidential electors amounts to an undue burden or is discriminatory, he has failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. 

 

Summary Authors

Alexandra Levay (10/12/2022)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4505462/parties/de-la-fuente-v-kemp/


Judge(s)

Cohen, Mark Howard (Georgia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Rossi, Paul A. (Pennsylvania)

Sells, Bryan Ludington (Georgia)

Attorney for Defendant

Heidt, Josiah Benjamin (Georgia)

Willard, Russell D. (Georgia)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

1:16-cv-02937

Complaint for Mandamus Relief

1:16-cv-02937-MHC

Aug. 12, 2016

Aug. 12, 2016

Complaint
1

1:16-cv-02937

Complaint for Mandamus Relief

1:16-cv-02937-MHC

Aug. 12, 2016

Aug. 12, 2016

Complaint
1

1:16-cv-02937

Complaint for Mandamus Relief

1:16-cv-02937-MHC

Aug. 12, 2016

Aug. 12, 2016

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4505462/de-la-fuente-v-kemp/

Last updated Sept. 2, 2026, 5:08 a.m.

Docket for: De La Fuente v. Kemp
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Aug. 12, 2016

COMPLAINT for Mandamus, Injunctive, & Declaratory Relief filed by Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente. (Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 113E-6627025). (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(jpa) Please visit our website at http://www.gand.uscourts.gov/commonly-used-forms to obtain Pretrial Instructions which includes the Consent To Proceed Before U.S. Magistrate form. (Entered: 08/12/2016)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Clearinghouse
2 Aug. 12, 2016

STANDING ORDER regarding civil litigation. Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 8/12/16. (jpa) (Entered: 08/12/2016)

RECAP
3 Aug. 12, 2016

Electronic Summons Issued as to Brian P. Kemp. (jpa) (Entered: 08/12/2016)

RECAP
4 Aug. 12, 2016

ORDER directing Plaintiff to comply with O.C.G.A. § 9-4-7 before any hearing is to be held, and to notify the Court when service upon the Attorney General of Georgia is complete. Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 8/12/16. (ddm) (Entered: 08/12/2016)

RECAP
Aug. 12, 2016

Submission to District Judge

Aug. 12, 2016

Submission of 1 Complaint for Mandamus, Injunctive, and Declaratory Relief submitted to District Judge Mark H. Cohen. (jpa)

5 Aug. 15, 2016

APPLICATION for Admission of Paul Anthony Rossi Pro Hac Vice (Application fee $ 150, receipt number 113E-6630034)by Roque De La Fuente. (Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 08/15/2016)

RECAP
6 Aug. 15, 2016

Certificate of Interested Persons by Roque De La Fuente. (Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 08/15/2016)

RECAP
7 Aug. 15, 2016

NOTICE by Roque De La Fuente re 4 Order of Service Upon the Attorney General of Georgia (Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 08/15/2016)

RECAP
8 Aug. 16, 2016

ORDER: if Plaintiff indeed seeks "emergency" relief from this Court, he shall comply with the local rules of the Court and file an appropriate motion with supporting authorities and serve such motion upon Defendant with a copy of this Order.' If such a motion is filed, the Court will determine the appropriate response time for Defendant and whether any hearing on the motion is necessary. Otherwise, any motions that are filed will be considered in accordance with the local rules of this Court. All other motions must be filed WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS after the beginning of discovery unless the filing party has obtained prior permission of the court to file later. Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 8/16/16. (jpa) (Entered: 08/16/2016)

RECAP
9 Aug. 17, 2016

Emergency MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, Emergency MOTION for Writ of Mandamus with Brief In Support by Roque De La Fuente. (Attachments: # 1 Brief, # 2 Affidavit of Roque de la Fuente, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 08/17/2016)

RECAP
10 Aug. 17, 2016

ORDER that the Defendant shall file a response to Plaintiff's 9 Emergency MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and for Writ of Mandamus on or before August 23, 2016. The Clerk is DIRECTED to transmit a copy of this Order by electronic mail to the Attorney General of Georgia at the following address: rwillard@law.ga.gov. Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 8/17/16. (jpa) (Entered: 08/17/2016)

RECAP
Aug. 17, 2016

Submission to District Judge

Aug. 17, 2016

Submission of 9 Emergency MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Emergency MOTION for Writ of Mandamus, submitted to District Judge Mark H. Cohen. (jpa)

Aug. 17, 2016

Clerks Notation for LOA/CIP

Aug. 17, 2016

Clerks Notation re 6 Certificate of Interested Persons reviewed by MHC. (jgs)

Aug. 17, 2016

Remark

Aug. 17, 2016

Attorney General of Georgia electronically served the 10 Order via email. (jpa)

11 Aug. 22, 2016

ORDER Setting Hearing on 9 Emergency MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and for Writ of Mandamus. Motion Hearing set for 8/25/2016 at 02:00 PM in ATLA Courtroom 1707 before Judge Mark H. Cohen. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any reply brief to Defendant's response to Plaintiff's motion shall be filed by Plaintiff no later than 9:00 A.M. on Friday, August 25, 2016. Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 8/22/16. (jpa) (Entered: 08/22/2016)

RECAP
12 Aug. 22, 2016

Return of Service Executed by Roque De La Fuente. Brian P. Kemp served on 8/15/2016, answer due 9/6/2016. (Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 08/22/2016)

RECAP
13 Aug. 22, 2016

AFFIDAVIT of Service for Complaint and other documents, as to Sam Olens, Attorney General of the State of Georgia. (Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 08/22/2016)

RECAP
14 Aug. 22, 2016

AFFIDAVIT of Service for motion for emergency relief and related documents, as to Brian Kemp. (Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 08/22/2016)

RECAP
15 Aug. 22, 2016

AMENDED ORDER re 11 Order correcting the date of the emergency mandamus and preliminary injunction hearing to Friday, August 26, 2016. Defendant's response to Plaintiff's motion shall be filed by Plaintiff no later than 9:00 AM on Friday, August 26, 2016. Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 8/22/16. (jgs) (Entered: 08/22/2016)

RECAP
16 Aug. 23, 2016

RESPONSE in Opposition re 9 Emergency MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Emergency MOTION for Writ of Mandamus filed by Brian P. Kemp. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Chris Harvey, # 2 Affidavit Michael Barnes)(Heidt, Josiah) (Entered: 08/23/2016)

RECAP
17 Aug. 24, 2016

NOTICE of Appearance by Josiah Benjamin Heidt on behalf of Brian P. Kemp (Heidt, Josiah) (Entered: 08/24/2016)

RECAP
18 Aug. 26, 2016

REPLY BRIEF re 9 Emergency MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Emergency MOTION for Writ of Mandamus filed by Roque De La Fuente. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente)(Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 08/26/2016)

RECAP
19 Aug. 26, 2016

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Mark H. Cohen: Motion Hearing held on 8/26/2016 re 9 Emergency MOTION for Preliminary Injunction. The Court heard arguments from counsel. The Defendants were instructed to efile a document to supplement their argument. The Court will issue a order ruling on the motions by the end of next week. (Court Reporter Judith Wolff) (jtj) (Entered: 08/26/2016)

RECAP
20 Aug. 26, 2016

NOTICE Of Filing by Brian P. Kemp re 16 Response in Opposition to Motion, (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Chris Harvey (Second))(Heidt, Josiah) (Entered: 08/26/2016)

RECAP
21 Aug. 30, 2016

ORDER denying 9 Motion for Preliminary Injunction; denying 9 Motion for Writ of Mandamus. Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 8/30/16. (jpa) (Entered: 08/30/2016)

RECAP
Aug. 30, 2016

Return of Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice

Aug. 30, 2016

RETURN of 5 APPLICATION for Admission of Paul Anthony Rossi Pro Hac Vice (Application fee $ 150, receipt number 113E-6630034) to attorney for correction re: local counsel. (pb)

22 Sept. 2, 2016

NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 21 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Order on Motion for Writ of Mandamus by Roque De La Fuente. Filing fee $ 505, receipt number 113E-6675232. Transcript Order Form due on 9/16/2016 (Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 09/02/2016)

RECAP
23 Sept. 6, 2016

NOTICE Of Filing of NOA Transmittal Letter re: 22 Notice of Appeal. (pjm) (Entered: 09/06/2016)

RECAP
24 Sept. 6, 2016

Transmission of Certified Copy of Notice of Appeal, USCA Appeal Fees, Order and Docket Sheet to US Court of Appeals re: 22 Notice of Appeal. (pjm) (Entered: 09/06/2016)

RECAP
25 Sept. 6, 2016

MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM with Brief In Support by Brian P. Kemp. (Attachments: # 1 Brief)(Heidt, Josiah) (Entered: 09/06/2016)

RECAP
26 Sept. 6, 2016

MOTION to Stay by Brian P. Kemp. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Heidt, Josiah) (Entered: 09/06/2016)

RECAP
27 Sept. 13, 2016

USCA Acknowledgment of 22 Notice of Appeal filed by Roque De La Fuente. Case Appealed to USCA- 11th Circuit. Case Number 16-15880-G. (pjm) (Entered: 09/13/2016)

RECAP
28 Sept. 21, 2016

TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings held on 8/26/16 (Prelim Inj Hrg), before Judge Mark H. Cohen. Court Reporter/Transcriber Judith M. Wolff, Telephone number 404-215-1317. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Redaction Request due 10/12/2016. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 10/24/2016. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 12/20/2016. (Attachments: # 1 Notice of Filing Transcript) (pjm) (Entered: 09/21/2016)

RECAP
29 Sept. 26, 2016

TRANSCRIPT ORDER FORM for proceedings held on 08/26/2016 (Motion Hrg) before Judge Mark Cohen, re: 22 Notice of Appeal. Court Reporter: Judith Wolff. Financial Arrangements due 10/11/16. (Sells, Bryan) Modified on 9/27/2016 to update text (pjm). (Entered: 09/26/2016)

RECAP
Sept. 27, 2016

Set Deadline re: 22 Notice of Appeal: Financial Arrangements due on 10/11/2016. (pjm)

Sept. 27, 2016

Set/Reset Appeal Deadlines

Sept. 27, 2016

Submission of 26 MOTION to Stay, 25 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM, submitted to District Judge Mark H. Cohen. (jpa)

Sept. 27, 2016

Submission to District Judge

30 Oct. 4, 2016

ORDER granting 26 Motion to Stay and the parties are relieved from their discovery obligations under Rules 16 and 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of this Court until this Court issues its Order on Defendant's motion to dismiss. Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 10/4/16. (jpa) (Entered: 10/04/2016)

RECAP
31 Oct. 5, 2016

MOTION for Extension of Time to File a Response re: 25 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM by Roque De La Fuente. (Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 10/05/2016)

RECAP
32 Oct. 6, 2016

RESPONSE in Opposition re 31 MOTION for Extension of Time to File a Response re: 25 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Brian P. Kemp. (Heidt, Josiah) (Entered: 10/06/2016)

RECAP
33 Oct. 7, 2016

Certified copy of USCA ORDER: Appellants Emergency/Time Sensitive Motion for an Injunction Pending Appeal is DENIED. The Clerk is directed to treat any Motion for Reconsideration of this order as a non-emergency matter re: 22 Notice of Appeal filed by Roque De La Fuente. Case Appealed to USCA- 11th Circuit. Case Number 16-15880-G. (pjm) (Entered: 10/07/2016)

RECAP
34 Oct. 17, 2016

Court Reporter Acknowledgment re: 29 Transcript Order Form, filed by Roque De La Fuente. Case Appealed to USCA- 11th Circuit. Case Number 16-15880-G. Transcript is required. Court Reporter: Judith Wolff. Satisfactory financial arrangements completed and transcript is already on file. (pjm) (Entered: 10/18/2016)

RECAP
Oct. 18, 2016

Pursuant to F.R.A.P.11(c), the Clerk certifies that the record is complete for purposes of this appeal, 22 Notice of Appeal. Case Appealed to USCA- 11th Circuit. Case Number 16-15880-GG. The entire record on appeal is available electronically. (pjm)

Oct. 18, 2016

Appeal Record Certified

Oct. 25, 2016

Submission of 31 MOTION for Extension of Time to File a Response re: 25 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM, submitted to District Judge Mark H. Cohen. (jpa)

Oct. 25, 2016

Submission to District Judge

35 Oct. 28, 2016

ORDER denying 31 Motion for Extension of Time. It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff shall file his response to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Order, and Defendant shall file any reply brief no later than fourteen days after Plaintiffs response is filed.Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 10/28/16. (jpa) (Entered: 10/28/2016)

RECAP
36 Nov. 3, 2016

NOTICE Of Filing by Brian P. Kemp Georgia Supreme Court Opinion (Attachments: # 1 Georgia Supreme Court Opinion)(Heidt, Josiah) (Entered: 11/03/2016)

RECAP
37 Nov. 14, 2016

RESPONSE re 25 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Roque De La Fuente. (Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 11/14/2016)

RECAP
38 Dec. 1, 2016

REPLY BRIEF re 25 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Brian P. Kemp. (Heidt, Josiah) (Entered: 12/01/2016)

RECAP
Dec. 2, 2016

Submission of 25 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM, submitted to District Judge Mark H. Cohen. (jpa)

Dec. 2, 2016

Submission to District Judge

39 Dec. 13, 2016

Petition for Leave of Absence for the following date(s): 12/15/2016,12/16/2016,12/17/2016,12/18/2016,12/19/2016,12/20/2016,12/21/2016,12/22/2016, 12/23/2016, by Bryan Ludington Sells. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 12/13/2016)

RECAP
40 Feb. 15, 2017

USCA Opinion received (AFFIRMED IN PART, DISMISSED IN PART) re: 22 Notice of Appeal filed by Roque De La Fuente. In accordance with FRAP 41(b), the USCA mandate will issue at a later date. Case Appealed to USCA- 11th Circuit. Case Number 16-15880-GG. (pjm) (Entered: 02/15/2017)

RECAP
41 March 17, 2017

ORDER granting 25 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim. It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff's Complaint [Doc. 1] is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff shall have fourteen (14) days from the date of this Order in which to seek leave from this Court under Rule 15(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to file an Amended Complaint in this case. If Plaintiff elects to file such a motion, he shall attach a copy of the proposed Amended Complaint to that motion. If no such motion is filed within the time prescribed by this Order, Plaintiff's Complaint shall be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 3/17/17. (jpa) (Entered: 03/17/2017)

RECAP
42 March 20, 2017

Copy of JUDGMENT of USCA AFFIRMING IN PART, DISMISSING IN PART the decision of the District Court re: 22 Notice of Appeal filed by Roque De La Fuente Case Appealed to USCA Case Number 16-15880-GG. (jpa) (Entered: 03/20/2017)

RECAP
43 March 31, 2017

First MOTION to Amend 1 Complaint for Mandamus Relief, with Brief In Support by Roque De La Fuente. (Attachments: # 1 Brief, # 2 Exhibit proposed first amended complaint)(Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 03/31/2017)

RECAP
44 April 14, 2017

RESPONSE in Opposition re 43 First MOTION to Amend 1 Complaint for Mandamus Relief, filed by Brian P. Kemp. (Heidt, Josiah) (Entered: 04/14/2017)

RECAP
45 April 28, 2017

REPLY to Response to Motion re 43 First MOTION to Amend 1 Complaint for Mandamus Relief, filed by Roque De La Fuente. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - appellant's reply brief, # 2 Exhibit 2 - trial brief, # 3 Exhibit 3 - appellant's brief)(Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 04/28/2017)

RECAP
May 1, 2017

Submission to District Judge

May 1, 2017

Submission of 43 First MOTION to Amend 1 Complaint for Mandamus Relief, submitted to District Judge Mark H. Cohen. (jpa)

46 May 8, 2017

MOTION for Leave to File Surreplyin Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Amend Complaint by Brian P. Kemp. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Surreply Brief)(Heidt, Josiah) (Entered: 05/08/2017)

RECAP
47 May 22, 2017

RESPONSE in Opposition re 46 MOTION for Leave to File Surreplyin Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Amend Complaint filed by Roque De La Fuente. (Sells, Bryan) (Entered: 05/22/2017)

RECAP
June 9, 2017

Submission to District Judge

June 9, 2017

Submission of 46 MOTION for Leave to File Surreplyin Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Amend Complaint, submitted to District Judge Mark H. Cohen. (jpa)

48 Oct. 13, 2017

ORDER DENYING Plaintiff's 43 Motion to Amend and GRANTING 46 Motion for Leave to File Surreply. The Clerk is DIRECTED to close this case. Signed by Judge Mark H. Cohen on 10/13/17. (bnw) (Entered: 10/13/2017)

RECAP
49 Oct. 13, 2017

CLERK'S JUDGMENT in favor of Defendant against Plaintiff. This action is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. (bnw)--Please refer to http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov to obtain an appeals jurisdiction checklist-- (Entered: 10/13/2017)

RECAP
Oct. 13, 2017

Terminated Case

Oct. 13, 2017

Civil Case Terminated. (bnw)

Case Details

State / Territory:

Georgia

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 12, 2016

Closing Date: Oct. 13, 2017

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiff is a resident of the State of Florida and an independent candidate for President of the United States in the 2016 general election.

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

State of Georgia

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Georgia 1:16-cv-02937

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Relief Granted:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Amount Defendant Pays: 0

Issues

Voting:

Voting: General & Misc.

Recommended Citation