Case: Graham v. Adams

22-CI-00047 | Kentucky state trial court

Filed Date: Jan. 20, 2022

Closed Date: Dec. 14, 2023

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case is about partisan gerrymandering in Kentucky. On January 20, 2022, plaintiffs—the Kentucky Democratic party, a Kentucky state representative, and four Kentucky voters—filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of Franklin County, Kentucky against defendants the Kentucky Secretary of State and Kentucky State Board of Elections.  The plaintiffs (represented by private counsel) brought claims under the Kentucky Constitution alleging that electoral maps enacted by the Kentucky legislature wer…

This case is about partisan gerrymandering in Kentucky.

On January 20, 2022, plaintiffs—the Kentucky Democratic party, a Kentucky state representative, and four Kentucky voters—filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of Franklin County, Kentucky against defendants the Kentucky Secretary of State and Kentucky State Board of Elections.  The plaintiffs (represented by private counsel) brought claims under the Kentucky Constitution alleging that electoral maps enacted by the Kentucky legislature were unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders.  The plaintiffs sought a declaration and an injunction preventing the electoral maps from being implemented.

Following the 2020 Census, the Kentucky legislature enacted new maps for its 100 state house districts and 6 U.S. congressional districts.  These maps, called HB 2 and SB 3 respectively, were enacted on January 20, 2022 after the legislature overrode the Governor’s veto. The same day of the veto override, plaintiffs filed the complaint.

On January 27, 2022, the state of Kentucky moved to intervene as defendant.  Kentucky’s motion to intervene as a defendant was granted on February 10, 2022.

Plaintiffs moved for an injunction on January 28, 2022.  On February 4, 2022, Kentucky moved to dismiss plaintiff’s complaint.  Judge Thomas D. Wingate denied both motions on February 17, 2022.

A non-jury trial was held in front of Judge Thomas D. Wingate on April 5-7, 2022. Following the trial, in a November 10, 2022 order, the court found that the challenged maps were partisan gerrymanders but nevertheless constitutional. The Court reasoned that none of the sections of the Kentucky constitution relied on by plaintiffs prohibited partisan gerrymandering.

On appeal, the Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s order in its decision on December 14, 2023. The Kentucky Supreme Court agreed with the trial court’s interpretation of the sections of the Kentucky Constitution relied upon by plaintiff. The Kentucky Supreme Court also held that while it may be possible for partisan gerrymandering to rise to the level of a constitutional violation, the maps challenged by plaintiffs could not be flagrantly unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders for only affecting 3 out of 100 state house seats and 0 of 6 Congressional seats.

Summary Authors

James Brennan (12/29/2024)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

22-CI-00047

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Jan. 20, 2022

Jan. 20, 2022

Complaint

22-CI-00047

Motion to Dismiss of Secretary of State Adams and the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Feb. 4, 2022

Feb. 4, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief

22-CI-00047

Order Denying Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Feb. 17, 2022

Feb. 17, 2022

Order/Opinion

22-CI-00047

Order Denying Motion to Dismiss

Feb. 17, 2022

Feb. 17, 2022

Order/Opinion

22-CI-00047

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Post-Trial Brief

May 16, 2022

May 16, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief

22-CI-00047

Plaintiffs' Post-Hearing Brief

May 16, 2022

May 16, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief

22-CI-00047

Plaintiffs' Response to Defendants' Post-Hearing Brief

June 15, 2022

June 15, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief

22-CI-00047

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Post-Trial Response Brief

June 15, 2022

June 15, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief

22-CI-00047

Opinion and Order

Nov. 10, 2022

Nov. 10, 2022

Order/Opinion

2022-SC-0522

Brief of Appellants

Kentucky state supreme court

June 26, 2023

June 26, 2023

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:31 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Kentucky

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 20, 2022

Closing Date: Dec. 14, 2023

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The Kentucky Democratic party, a Kentucky state representative, and four Kentucky voters

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Kentucky, State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State law

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Voting:

Redistricting/district composition

Vote dilution