Filed Date: Sept. 14, 2020
Closed Date: Nov. 2, 2020
Clearinghouse coding complete
On September 20, 2020, Plaintiff, a candidate for the US House of Representatives in Rhode Island, filed this complaint pro se in the District of Rhode Island against the State of Rhode Island and all cities and counties in the First Congressional District. Plaintiff alleged that the State of Rhode Island created new election rules during the course of the election process. Plaintiff further alleged that there were "untrue" voter rolls, and that cities and towns in Rhode Island were refusing to provide information "in real time." Plaintiff did not provide much detail in the complaint, but he alleged that certain cities within Rhode Island were removing election signings, conducting false arrests, and refusing to provide voter information. Plaintiff demanded relief for fair and honest elections, with no ballot manipulation and all information requested. Further, Plaintiff sought the requirement that all ballots be witnessed and notarized.
On November 2, 2020, the District Court dismissed the case. The court analyzed Plaintiff's claim under Section 1915 of Title 28, which requires a federal court to dismiss an action that is frivolous, and found that the complaint failed to state a claim or seeks damages from a defendant with immunity. The District Court found that Plaintiff's Complaint is in narrative form and did not specify the legal bases for his claims (rather it is generalized and conclusory). As such, the District Court ordered the Plaintiff to file an Amended to Complain that complied with the Federal Rules of Procedure. The Plaintiff failed to do so, and the District Court therefore dismissed the case.
This case is now closed.
Summary Authors
(12/20/2024)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18435809/parties/lemire-v-state-of-rhode-island/
Smith, William E. (Rhode Island)
Lemire, Jeffrey E. (Rhode Island)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18435809/lemire-v-state-of-rhode-island/
Last updated Aug. 9, 2025, 10:33 p.m.
State / Territory: Rhode Island
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project
Key Dates
Filing Date: Sept. 14, 2020
Closing Date: Nov. 2, 2020
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Candidate for Congress in Rhode Island.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Voting Rights Act, unspecified, 52 U.S.C. § 10301 et seq (previously 42 U.S.C § 1973 et seq.)
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Voting: