Case: Sanders v. Trump

2:20-cv-00921 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama

Filed Date: Nov. 10, 2020

Closed Date: Dec. 18, 2020

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Case Summary

On November 10, 2020, the Plaintiff, a resident of Alabama and candidate for election in Nevada, alleged that he suffered a deprivation of rights, privileges, or immunities secured to him by the Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment because the Nevada Secretary of State excluded his name from being listed on the ballot in every county in the State of Nevada. Plaintiff further alleged that the Secretary of State acted with the encouragement and support of President Trump. Plaintiff sued Pres…

On November 10, 2020, the Plaintiff, a resident of Alabama and candidate for election in Nevada, alleged that he suffered a deprivation of rights, privileges, or immunities secured to him by the Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment because the Nevada Secretary of State excluded his name from being listed on the ballot in every county in the State of Nevada. Plaintiff further alleged that the Secretary of State acted with the encouragement and support of President Trump. Plaintiff sued President Trump, Nevada Secretary of State, Vice President Pence, and the Clark County Registrar of Voters. Plaintiff did not explain how Vice President Pence or the Clarke County Registrar of Voters, were involved. Plaintiff sued in the Middle District of Alabama, even though Plaintiff alleged this act took place at the Nevada State Capitol Building and involved Nevada politicians.

The District Court referred the case to a Magistrate Judge for review. The Magistrate reviewed the case under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which provides that a civil action may be brought in — (1) a judicial district in which any defendant resides, if all defendants are residents of the State in which the district is located; (2) a judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred . . .; or (3) if there is no district in which an action may otherwise be brought as provided in this section, any judicial district in which any defendant is subject to the court’s personal jurisdiction with respect to such action.”

The Magistrate found that Plaintiff's complaint was formed on the basis of acts and occurrences in the Nevada State Capitol, and that the complaint does not allege a violation of rights in Alabama. As such, the Magistrate recommended, and the District Court ordered, that the case be transferred to the District of Nevada.

In the District of Nevada, the case was assigned to Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey and Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts. Shortly after the transfer, the Magistrate Judge recommended that the case be dismissed in April 2021. The Judge found that the claim was frivolous, and that it was difficult to "decipher any logical set of facts in his submission, or any rights that may have been violated." The District Court adopted the recommendation and dismissed the case on May 4, 2021. 

Summary Authors

(12/26/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18634358/parties/sanders-v-trump-mag/


Judge(s)

Dorsey, Jennifer Anna (Nevada)

Thompson, Myron Herbert (Alabama)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Sanders, Jarmal Jabbar (Alabama)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
3

2:20-cv-00921

Conflict Disclosure Statement

Nov. 10, 2020

Nov. 10, 2020

Declaration/Affidavit
1

2:20-cv-00921

Complaint for Violation of Civil Rights

Nov. 10, 2020

Nov. 10, 2020

Complaint
2

2:20-cv-00921

Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs

Nov. 10, 2020

Nov. 10, 2020

Other
4

2:20-cv-00921

Order

Nov. 17, 2020

Nov. 17, 2020

Order/Opinion
5

2:20-cv-00921

Recommendation of the Magistrate Judge

Nov. 19, 2020

Nov. 19, 2020

Magistrate Report/Recommendation
6

2:20-cv-00921

Motion to Participate in the Pro Se Party Assistance Program

Dec. 1, 2020

Dec. 1, 2020

Other
7

2:20-cv-00921

Order

Dec. 18, 2020

Dec. 18, 2020

Order/Opinion
11

2:20-cv-02299

Report and Recommendation

U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada

April 7, 2021

April 7, 2021

Magistrate Report/Recommendation
12

2:20-cv-02299

Order Adopting Report & Recommendation and Dismissing Case

U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada

May 4, 2021

May 4, 2021

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18634358/sanders-v-trump-mag/

Last updated Oct. 28, 2025, 12:16 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Barbara Cegavske, Joseph P. Gloria, Mike Pence, Donald J. Trump, filed by Jarmal Jabbar Sanders. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(wcl, ) (Entered: 11/16/2020)

1 Exhibit A

View on RECAP

2 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

Nov. 10, 2020

Nov. 10, 2020

Clearinghouse
2

MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Jarmal Jabbar Sanders. (wcl, ) (Entered: 11/16/2020)

Nov. 10, 2020

Nov. 10, 2020

Clearinghouse
3

Corporate/Conflict Disclosure Statement by Jarmal Jabbar Sanders. (wcl, ) (Entered: 11/16/2020)

Nov. 10, 2020

Nov. 10, 2020

Clearinghouse

DEMAND for Trial by Jury by Jarmal Jabbar Sanders. (No pdf attached to this entry - See doc 1 for pdf) (wcl, )

Nov. 10, 2020

Nov. 10, 2020

PACER
4

ORDER REFERRING CASE, pursuant to 28 USC 636, to Magistrate Judge Honorable Jerusha T. Adams for consideration and disposition or recommendation on all pretrial matters as may be appropriate. Signed by Honorable Judge Myron H. Thompson on 11/17/2020. (wcl, ) (Entered: 11/17/2020)

Nov. 17, 2020

Nov. 17, 2020

Clearinghouse
5

RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE: it is the RECOMMENDATION of the Magistrate Judge that this case be transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Nevada in accordance with the provisions of 28 USC 1404(a); Objections to R&R due by 12/4/2020. Signed by Honorable Judge Jerusha T. Adams on 11/19/2020. (wcl, ) (Entered: 11/19/2020)

Nov. 19, 2020

Nov. 19, 2020

Clearinghouse
6

MOTION to Participate in the Pro Se Party Assistance Program by Jarmal Jabbar Sanders. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 2-5)(wcl, ) (Entered: 12/02/2020)

1 Exhibit 2-5

View on RECAP

Dec. 1, 2020

Dec. 1, 2020

Clearinghouse

No objections filed to the 5 Recommendation. (No pdf attached to this entry) (wcl, )

Dec. 14, 2020

Dec. 14, 2020

PACER
7

ORDER: It is ORDERED as follows: (1) The magistrate judge's recommendation (doc. no. 5 ) is adopted. (2) This case is transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Nevada pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1404(a). (3) All pending motions are left for resolution by the receiving court. The clerk of the court is DIRECTED to take appropriate steps to effect the transfer. This case is closed in this court. Signed by Honorable Judge Myron H. Thompson on 12/18/2020. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Appeals Checklist)(dmn, ) (Entered: 12/18/2020)

1 Civil Appeals Checklist

View on PACER

Dec. 18, 2020

Dec. 18, 2020

Clearinghouse

Case transferred to United States District Court, District of Nevada. Electronically transferred via CM/ECF to Clerk. (dmn, )

Dec. 18, 2020

Dec. 18, 2020

PACER

Received email from District of Nevada acknowledging transfer of case. New case number in District of Nevada is 2:20cv2299 (NO PDF document attached to this notice). (wcl, )

Dec. 18, 2020

Dec. 18, 2020

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Alabama

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 10, 2020

Closing Date: Dec. 18, 2020

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Candidate for election in Nevada.

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Mike Pence (- United States (national) -), Federal

Donld J. Trump (- United States (national) -), Federal

Barbara Cegavske (Nevada), State

Joseph P. Gloria (Nevada), State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Findings Letter/Report

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Voting:

Candidate qualifications

Election administration