Case: Houston Justice v. Abbott

5:21-cv-00848 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Filed Date: Sept. 7, 2021

Closed Date: Sept. 30, 2021

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Case Summary

On September 7, 2021, Houston Justice, Houston Area Urban League, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Arc of Texas, and an individual named plaintiff filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Plaintiffs challenged the constitutionality and legality of Texas Senate Bill 1 (“SB1”), which eliminated drive-thru voting centers, restricted the scheduling of early voting and eliminated 24-hour voting, eliminated straight-ticket voting, reduced regulations on poll watchers, prohibited vote-by-mail drop boxes, implemented voter identification requirements on early voting ballot applications, and limited the assistance that could be provided to voters. Plaintiffs alleged that SB1 intentionally disproportionately impacted Black and Latino voters, as well as voters with disabilities. Plaintiffs argued that SB1 thus violated the First, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, Section 2 and 208 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

This case was consolidated with La Union del Pueblo Entero v. Abbott, No. 5:21-cv-844 (W.D. Tex.), and closed on September 30, 2021.

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Summary Authors

Aisha Keown-Lang (1/12/2024)

La Union Del Pueblo Entero v. Abbott, Western District of Texas (2021)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60365593/parties/houston-justice-v-gregory-wayne-abbott/

Judge(s)

Rodriguez, Xavier (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Broughton, Kenneth E. (Texas)

Holmes, Jennifer A. (Texas)

Pippin, Keely Dulaney (Texas)

Sadasivan, Kathryn (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Judge(s)

Rodriguez, Xavier (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Broughton, Kenneth E. (Texas)

Holmes, Jennifer A. (Texas)

Pippin, Keely Dulaney (Texas)

Sadasivan, Kathryn (Texas)

Spencer, Lora (Texas)

Stewart, Sarah C. (Texas)

Wakschlag, Shira (Texas)

Yeomans, Georgina (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Sweeten, Patrick K. (Texas)

White, Jeffrey Michael (Texas)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 5:21-cv-00848	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 Complaint
11 5:21-cv-00848	Plaintiffs' Notice of Errata Houston Justice, et al v. Abbott, et al	Sept. 9, 2021	Sept. 9, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
12 5:21-cv-00848	State Defendants' Notice of Motion to Consolidate in Related Case Houston Justice, et al v. Abbott, et al	Sept. 14, 2021	Sept. 14, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
18 5:21-cv-00848	Proof of Service	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
19 5:21-cv-00848	Notice Regarding Pending Motion to Consolidate	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
17 5:21-cv-00848	Proof of Service	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
13 5:21-cv-00848	Unopposed Motion to Set Deadline for Responsive Pleading Houston Justice, et al v. Abbott, et al	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Pleading / Motion / Brief
20 5:21-cv-00848	Order Houston Justice, et al v. Abbott, et al	Sept. 30, 2021	Sept. 30, 2021 Order/Opinion
21 5:21-cv-00848	Order Houston Justice, et al v. Abbott, et al	Sept. 30, 2021	Sept. 30, 2021 Order/Opinion

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Black Farmers FAQ: The history of discrimination against Black farmers and policy initiatives to remedy these inequities. Legal Defense Fund	Black farmers have long faced systemic discrimination by public and private institutions and barriers to economic mobility. Inequities in the administration of government farm programs and discrimina…		https://www.naacpldf.org/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60365593/houston-justice-v-gregory-wayne-abbott/

Last updated Aug. 9, 2025, 10 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number 0542-15192627), filed by The Arc of Texas, Houston Justice, Houston Area Urban League, Delta Sigm Theta Sorority Inc., Lamar Clemmons Jeffrey. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/07/2021) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on RECAP	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 Clearinghouse
2	REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS by Delta Sigm Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Area Urban League, Houston Justice, Lamar Clemmons Jeffrey, The Arc of Texas. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/07/2021)	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 Clearinghouse
3	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Kenneth E. Broughton, Jr Shira Wakschlag ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15193168) by on behalf of Delta Sigm Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Area Urban League, Houston Justice, Lamar Clemmons Jeffrey, The Arc of Texas. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/07/2021)	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 Clearinghouse
4	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Kenneth E. Broughton, Jr Jennifer A. Holmes ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15193222) by on behalf of The Arc of Texas. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/07/2021)	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 Clearinghouse
5	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Kenneth E. Broughton, Jr J. Keely Dulaney ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15193896) by on behalf of Delta Sigm Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Area Urban League, Houston Justice, Lamar Clemmons Jeffrey, The Arc of Texas. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/07/2021)	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 Clearinghouse
6	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Kenneth E. Broughton, Jr Georgina Yeomans ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15193924) by on behalf of Delta Sigm Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Area Urban League, Houston Justice, Lamar Clemmons Jeffrey, The Arc of Texas. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/07/2021)	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 Clearinghouse
7	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Kenneth E. Broughton, Jr Kathryn Sadasivan ( Filing fee $ 100 receipt number 0542-15193959) by on behalf of Delta Sigm Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Area Urban League, Houston Justice, Lamar Clemmons Jeffrey, The Arc of Texas. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/07/2021)	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 Clearinghouse
	Case assigned to Judge Xavier Rodriguez. CM WILL NOW REFLECT THE JUDGE INITIALS AS PART OF THE CASE NUMBER. PLEASE APPEND THESE JUDGE INITIALS TO THE CASE NUMBER ON EACH DOCUMENT THAT YOU FILE IN THIS CASE. (rg)	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 PACER
	If ordered by the court, all referrals will be assigned to Magistrate Judge Chestney. (rg)	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 PACER
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 PACER
	To be Referred to SA Mag Judge	Sept. 7, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021 PACER
8	Summons Issued as to Gregory Wayne Abbott, Jacque Callanen, Isabel Longoria, Warren Kenneth Paxton, Jr. (wg) (Entered: 09/08/2021)	Sept. 8, 2021	Sept. 8, 2021 Clearinghouse
9	REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS by Jeffrey Lamar Clemmons, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Area Urban League, Houston Justice, The Arc of Texas. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/08/2021)	Sept. 8, 2021	Sept. 8, 2021 Clearinghouse
10	Summons Issued as to Jose Esparza, In his Official Capacity as Texas Deputy Secretary of State of Texas. (wg) (Entered: 09/08/2021)	Sept. 8, 2021	Sept. 8, 2021 Clearinghouse
11	NOTICE of Errata by Jeffrey Lamar Clemmons, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Area Urban League, Houston Justice, The Arc of Texas (Attachments: # 1 Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief)(Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/09/2021) 1 Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief View on RECAP	Sept. 9, 2021	Sept. 9, 2021 Clearinghouse
	Text Order GRANTING 3 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice entered by Judge Xavier Rodriguez. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted permission to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (JA3)	Sept. 14, 2021	Sept. 14, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 4 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice entered by Judge Xavier Rodriguez. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted permission to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (JA3)	Sept. 14, 2021	Sept. 14, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 5 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice entered by Judge Xavier Rodriguez. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted permission to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (JA3)	Sept. 14, 2021	Sept. 14, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 6 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice entered by Judge Xavier Rodriguez. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted permission to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (JA3)	Sept. 14, 2021	Sept. 14, 2021 PACER
	Text Order GRANTING 7 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice entered by Judge Xavier Rodriguez. Pursuant to our Administrative Policies and Procedures for Electronic Filing, the attorney hereby granted permission to practice pro hac vice in this case must register for electronic filing with our court within 10 days of this order. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (JA3)	Sept. 14, 2021	Sept. 14, 2021 PACER
12	NOTICE of Filing Partially-Opposed Motion to Consolidate in Case No. 5:21-cv-844 by Gregory Wayne Abbott, Jose Esparza, Warren Kenneth Paxton, Jr (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Sweeten, Patrick) (Entered: 09/14/2021) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP	Sept. 14, 2021	Sept. 14, 2021 Clearinghouse
	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Sept. 14, 2021	Sept. 14, 2021 PACER
13	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by Gregory Wayne Abbott, Jose Esparza, Warren Kenneth Paxton, Jr. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(White, Jeffrey) (Entered: 09/21/2021) 1 Proposed Order View on RECAP	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Clearinghouse
14	Acknowledgment of Service returned by Houston Area Urban League, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Justice, The Arc of Texas, Jeffrey Lamar Clemmons. Gregory Wayne Abbott served on 9/14/2021, answer due 10/14/2021. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/21/2021)	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Clearinghouse
15	Acknowledgment of Service returned by Houston Area Urban League, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Justice, The Arc of Texas, Jeffrey Lamar Clemmons. Isabel Longoria served on 9/15/2021, answer due 10/15/2021. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/21/2021)	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Clearinghouse
16	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Houston Area Urban League, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Justice, The Arc of Texas, Jeffrey Lamar Clemmons. Jacque Callanen served on 9/14/2021, answer due 10/5/2021. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/21/2021)	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Clearinghouse
17	Acknowledgment of Service returned by Houston Area Urban League, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Justice, The Arc of Texas, Jeffrey Lamar Clemmons. Jose Esparza served on 9/14/2021, answer due 10/14/2021. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/21/2021)	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Clearinghouse
18	Acknowledgment of Service returned by Houston Area Urban League, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Houston Justice, The Arc of Texas, Jeffrey Lamar Clemmons. Warren Kenneth Paxton, Jr served on 9/14/2021, answer due 10/14/2021. (Broughton, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/21/2021)	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Clearinghouse
19	NOTICE Regarding Pending Motion to Consolidate by Gregory Wayne Abbott, Jose Esparza, Warren Kenneth Paxton, Jr (White, Jeffrey) (Entered: 09/21/2021)	Sept. 21, 2021	Sept. 21, 2021 Clearinghouse
	Text Order GRANTING 13 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer entered by Judge Xavier Rodriguez. (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (JA3)	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 PACER
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer	Sept. 22, 2021	Sept. 22, 2021 PACER
20	ORDER OF CONSOLIDATION, The Court hereby ORDERS that OCA-GreaterHouston v. Esparza, No. 1:21-cv-780 (W.D. Tex.); Houston Justice v. Abbott, No. 5:21-cv-848 (W.D. Tex.); LULAC Texas v. Esparza, No. 1:21-cv-786 (W.D. Tex.) and Mi Familia Vota v. Abbott, No. 5: 21-cv-920 be consolidated into La Unin del Pueblo Entero v. Abbott, No. 5:21-cv-844 (W.D. Tex.). It is ORDERED that all future filings be filed ONLY in La Unin del Pueblo Entero v. Abbott, No. 5:21-cv-844 (W.D. Tex.) Signed by Judge Xavier Rodriguez. (wg) (Entered: 09/30/2021)	Sept. 30, 2021	Sept. 30, 2021 RECAP
21	ORDER ADMINISTRATIVE CLOSURE, On this date, the Court considered the status of this case. Concurrently herewith, the Court issues an order consolidating this case under La Unin del Pueblo Entero v. Abbott, No. 5:21-cv-844 (W.D. Tex.). That order instructs the parties to file all future filings in La Unin del Pueblo Entero v. Abbott, No. 5:21-cv-844 (W.D. Tex.). Given these circumstances, the Court concludes that this case is appropriate for administrative closure re 20 Consolidation Order,. Signed by Judge Xavier Rodriguez. (wg) (Entered: 10/01/2021)	Sept. 30, 2021	Sept. 30, 2021 RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory: Texas

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Disability Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 7, 2021

Closing Date: Sept. 30, 2021

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Nonprofit organizations (including Houston Justice, Houston Area Urban League, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority); advocacy group (the Arc of Texas), and a 2020 election judge and Individual Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Governor of Texas, Deputy Secretary of Texas, Attorney General of Texas, and Texas Elections Administrators, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Voting Rights Act, section 2, 52 U.S.C. § 10301 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1973)

Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act), 29 U.S.C. § 701

Available Documents: