Filed Date: July 28, 2006
Closed Date: Dec. 31, 2009
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The United States of America brought suit for declaratory and injunctive relief against Defendants, the State of Maine and the Secretary of State of Maine to enforce the requirements of Sections 301(a) and 303(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (“HAVA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 15481(a), 15483(a), and to enforce the voter registration list maintenance requirements of Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (the “NVRA”), 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-6. Plaintiff alleged that defendants received federal funds to assist in the administration of federal elections but failed to comply with federal voting requirements. Specifically, defendants did not have voting systems providing adequate accessibility for persons with disabilities, failed to develop and implement a statewide voter registration list, and failed to conduct a program to identify and remove ineligible voters from the official registration list. Plaintiff sought injunctive relief, ordering defendants to develop a plan, within 30 days of entry of order, to remedy alleged violations.
The parties engaged in negotiations and entered into a consent decree with defendants committed to remedying violations of federal voting law. The parties jointly requested and approved a supplemental consent decree which adjusted the timelines for full compliance. Plaintiffs filed notice memorializing an understanding between the parties that defendants would comply with their obligations and further court oversight was no longer necessary. Plaintiff declined to extend the operative consent decree which was allowed to expire on December 31, 2009.
Summary Authors
Benjamin Markham (10/30/2023)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4712457/parties/united-states-v-state-of-maine/
AUSA, PAULA D. (Maine)
KIM, WAN (Maine)
LEO, SABATINO F. (Maine)
POPPER, ROBERT (Maine)
GARDINER, PHYLLIS (Maine)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4712457/united-states-v-state-of-maine/
Last updated Aug. 10, 2025, 10:56 p.m.
State / Territory: Maine
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project
Key Dates
Filing Date: July 28, 2006
Closing Date: Dec. 31, 2009
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States of America
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Help America Vote Act (HAVA), 52 U.S.C. § 20901 et seq (previously 42 U.S.C. § 15301 et seq)
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Mixed
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Content of Injunction:
Order Duration: 2007 - 2009
Issues
Disability and Disability Rights:
Discrimination Basis:
Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)
Voting: