Case: Washington Election Integrity Coalition United v. Hall

3:21-cv-05787 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: Sept. 21, 2021

Closed Date: Oct. 3, 2022

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Case Summary

This is a case about alleged ballot misconduct in Thurston County, Washington.  On September 21, 2021, Washington Election Integrity Coalition United (“WEICU”), a nonprofit, and various individual voters/electors who lived in Thurston County, Washington, filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of Washington against Thurston County and the Thurston County Auditor asserting claims for violation of federal and Washington state law relating to the November 2020 general election in Thurst…

This is a case about alleged ballot misconduct in Thurston County, Washington.  On September 21, 2021, Washington Election Integrity Coalition United (“WEICU”), a nonprofit, and various individual voters/electors who lived in Thurston County, Washington, filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of Washington against Thurston County and the Thurston County Auditor asserting claims for violation of federal and Washington state law relating to the November 2020 general election in Thurston County.  All of the plaintiffs proceeded pro se, except for WEICU, which was represented by counsel.

The individual plaintiffs alleged that the Thurston County Auditor: (1) used an uncertified voting system; (2) allowed or facilitated fraudulent alterations of voting results; (3) maintained records of county elector party preference and identified electors’ ballots by party preference; and (4) violated the individual plaintiffs’ equal protection, due process, and/or free speech rights under the United States Constitution and the Washington State Constitution.  The individual plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as money damages from the Thurston County Auditor under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1988.  WEICU asserted a claim against Thurston County and the Thurston County Auditor under Washington’s Public Records Act for wrongful denial of its ballot-related records request.  In addition, WEICU sought to compel Thurston County and the Thurston County Auditor to make records from the November 2020 election available for a full forensic audit.  The lawsuit was removed to the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington on October 22, 2021.  Following removal to federal court, the case was reassigned several different times, but was ultimately assigned to District Judge Lauren King.

On September 30, 2022, the court dismissed the lawsuit sua sponte for lack of subject matter jurisdiction because the individual plaintiffs alleged only generalized grievances, and did not assert that they had suffered “any ‘concrete, particularized, and actual or imminent’ injury from the Auditor’s alleged misconduct.”  634 F.Supp.3d 977.  In addition, the court held that it lacked supplemental jurisdiction over the individual plaintiffs’ and WEICU’s Washington state law claims.  The court declined to remand the lawsuit to Washington state court because it held that remand was “certain to be futile.” As stated by the court, ”dismissal of the claims [was] ‘foreordained’ because they [were] clearly foreclosed by Washington law.”  

The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Cassandra T. (12/29/2025)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60668718/washington-election-integrity-coalition-united-v-hall/

Last updated Dec. 30, 2025, 3:27 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

NOTICE OF REMOVAL from Thurston County Superior Court, case number 21-2-01641-34; (Receipt # AWAWDC-7303883) Attorney Jane Futterman added to party Mary Hall(pty:dft), filed by Mary Hall, Thurston County. (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Complaint)(Futterman, Jane) Modified on 10/26/2021 to add additional filer (KB). (Entered: 10/22/2021)

Oct. 22, 2021

Oct. 22, 2021

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2

NOTICE of Related Case(s) by Defendant Mary Hall. (Futterman, Jane) (Entered: 10/22/2021)

Oct. 22, 2021

Oct. 22, 2021

3

CIVIL COVER SHEET ; filed by Defendant Mary Hall. (Futterman, Jane) (Entered: 10/22/2021)

Oct. 22, 2021

Oct. 22, 2021

4

VERIFICATION OF STATE COURT RECORDS by Defendants Mary Hall, Thurston County (Attachments: # 1 Attachment, # 2 Attachment, # 3 Attachment, # 4 Attachment, # 5 Attachment, # 6 Attachment, # 7 Attachment, # 8 Attachment, # 9 Attachment, # 10 Attachment)(Futterman, Jane) (Entered: 10/25/2021)

Oct. 25, 2021

Oct. 25, 2021

5

LETTER from Clerk to re receipt of case from Thurston County Superior Court and advising of WAWD case number and judge assignment. JURY DEMAND - NOT submitted properly or NOT on file (Please refer to LCR 101(b)(3) to file a proper jury demand) (AMD - cc: pltfs) (Entered: 10/25/2021)

Oct. 25, 2021

Oct. 25, 2021

Judge Thomas S. Zilly added. (AMD)

Oct. 25, 2021

Oct. 25, 2021

Add and Terminate Judges

Oct. 25, 2021

Oct. 25, 2021

Case Reassigned to Judge Benjamin H. Settle. Judge Thomas S. Zilly no longer assigned to the case. (AMD - cc: pltfs)

Oct. 26, 2021

Oct. 26, 2021

Case Assigned/Reassigned to Judge

Oct. 26, 2021

Oct. 26, 2021

6

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Virginia Pearson Shogren on behalf of Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United. (Shogren, Virginia) (Entered: 10/27/2021)

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

7

Notice of Filing Deficiency re 1 Notice of Removal, 4 Verification of State Court Records. ***Action Required*** Improper Signature - Secondary Attorney(s).See attached letter for more information and instructions. (AMD) (Entered: 10/27/2021)

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

8

Notice of Filing Deficiency ***Action Required*** Notice of Removal - Jury Demand Improperly Submitted.See attached letter for more information and instructions. (AMD) (Entered: 10/27/2021)

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

9

MOTION to Intervene, filed by Interested Party Washington State Democratic Central Committee. Oral Argument Requested. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A-C, # 2 Proposed Order) Noting Date 11/12/2021, (Hamilton, Kevin) (Entered: 10/27/2021)

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

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10

NOTICE of Association of Attorney by Callie A Castillo on behalf of Defendants Mary Hall, Thurston County. (Castillo, Callie) (Entered: 10/27/2021)

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

11

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT indicating no Corporate Parents and/or Affiliates. Filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1. Filed by Washington State Democratic Central Committee (Hamilton, Kevin) (Entered: 10/27/2021)

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

NOTICE Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1, Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United must file a Corporate Disclosure Statement by 11/3/2021. (AMD)

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

Intervenor Party Washington State Democratic Central Committee added, per 4 Verification of State Court Records. (AMD)

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

NOTICE Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1, Intervenor Washington State Democratic Party must file a Corporate Disclosure Statement by 11/3/2021. (AMD)

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

Corporate Disclosure Statement - Notice of Deadlines

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

Add and Terminate Parties

Oct. 27, 2021

Oct. 27, 2021

12

ANSWER to Complaint; by Mary Hall, Thurston County.(Futterman, Jane) (Entered: 10/28/2021)

Oct. 28, 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

13

MOTION to Remand, filed by Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Proposed Order) Noting Date 11/19/2021, (Shogren, Virginia) (Entered: 10/28/2021)

Oct. 28, 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

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14

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT indicating no Corporate Parents and/or Affiliates. Filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1. Filed by Washington Election Integrity Coalition United (Shogren, Virginia) (Entered: 10/28/2021)

Oct. 28, 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

15

ORDER REGARDING INITIAL DISCLOSURES, JOINT STATUS REPORT, DISCOVERY, DEPOSITIONS AND EARLY SETTLEMENT: Joint Status Report due by 1/26/2022, FRCP 26(f) Conference Deadline is 1/12/2022, Initial Disclosure Deadline is 1/19/2022. Signed by Judge Benjamin H. Settle. (MGC) (Entered: 10/28/2021)

Oct. 28, 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

16

NOTICE of Change of Address/Change of Name of Attorney Jane Futterman. Filed by Defendants Mary Hall, Thurston County. (Futterman, Jane) (Entered: 10/28/2021)

Oct. 28, 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

Case Reassigned to Judge Richard A. Jones as related to 3:21-cv-05726-RAJ. Judge Benjamin H. Settle no longer assigned to the case. All future pleadings shall bear Case No. 3:21-cv-5746-RAJ. (cc: Pro Se Plaintiffs via U.S. Mail) (AMD)

Nov. 1, 2021

Nov. 1, 2021

Case Assigned/Reassigned to Judge

Nov. 1, 2021

Nov. 1, 2021

17

STANDING ORDER for Civil Cases Assigned to Judge Richard A. Jones. (cc: Pro Se Plaintiffs via USPS) (VE) (Entered: 11/03/2021)

Nov. 3, 2021

Nov. 3, 2021

***Deadlines terminated. The Court acknowledges the requirements of FRCP 16(b), but finds good cause to VACATE the deadlines contained in the 15 ORDER REGARDING FRCP 26(f) CONFERENCE, INITIAL DISCLOSURES, AND JOINT STATUS REPORT pending the Court's ruling on 13 MOTION to Remand, filed by Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United. (cc: Pro Se Plaintiffs via USPS) (VE)

Nov. 3, 2021

Nov. 3, 2021

Terminate Deadlines/Hearings

Nov. 3, 2021

Nov. 3, 2021

18

RESPONSE, by Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United, to 9 MOTION to Intervene . (Shogren, Virginia) (Entered: 11/05/2021)

Nov. 5, 2021

Nov. 5, 2021

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REPLY, filed by Intervenor Washington State Democratic Central Committee, TO RESPONSE to 9 MOTION to Intervene (Hamilton, Kevin) (Entered: 11/09/2021)

Nov. 9, 2021

Nov. 9, 2021

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20

RESPONSE, by Defendants Mary Hall, Thurston County, to 13 MOTION to Remand . (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Castillo, Callie) (Entered: 11/15/2021)

Nov. 15, 2021

Nov. 15, 2021

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21

REPLY, filed by Plaintiff Washington Election Integrity Coalition United, TO RESPONSE to 13 MOTION to Remand (Shogren, Virginia) (Entered: 11/19/2021)

Nov. 19, 2021

Nov. 19, 2021

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MINUTE ORDER (text only) authorized by Judge Richard A. Jones. Case reassigned to Judge Lauren King. Judge Richard A. Jones no longer assigned to the case. (cc: Pro Se Plaintiffs via USPS) (VE)

Dec. 20, 2021

Dec. 20, 2021

Case Assigned/Reassigned to Judge

Dec. 20, 2021

Dec. 20, 2021

22

ORDER REGARDING 28 U.S.C. ยง 455(b)(2) AND CANON 3(C)(1)(B) OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR UNITED STATES JUDGES by Judge Lauren King. (cc: Pro Se Plaintiffs via USPS) (NAW) (Entered: 12/30/2021)

Dec. 30, 2021

Dec. 30, 2021

23

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL: Attorney Nitika Arora for Intervenor Washington State Democratic Central Committee. (Arora, Nitika) (Entered: 01/04/2022)

Jan. 4, 2022

Jan. 4, 2022

24

NOTICE of Supplemental Authority re 9 MOTION to Intervene by Intervenor Washington State Democratic Central Committee (Almon-Griffin, Reina) (Entered: 05/03/2022)

May 3, 2022

May 3, 2022

25

Notice of Supplemental Authority

July 1, 2022

July 1, 2022

26

ORDER: The Court DENIES WEICU's motion to remand, Dkt. No. 13 , and sua sponte DISMISSES Plaintiffs' claims without prejudice. The Washington State Democratic Central Committee's Motion to Intervene, Dkt. No. 9 , is DENIED as moot. Signed by Judge Lauren King. (LH) (cc: Pro se plaintiffs via US mail)

Sept. 30, 2022

Sept. 30, 2022

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27

Judgment by Court

Oct. 4, 2022

Oct. 4, 2022

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 21, 2021

Closing Date: Oct. 3, 2022

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Residents and electors of Washington State who voted in the November 2020 General Election and Washington Election Integrity Coalition United, a nonprofit organization

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Thurston County, Washington (Thurston), County

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Help America Vote Act (HAVA), 52 U.S.C. § 20901 et seq (previously 42 U.S.C. § 15301 et seq)

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Equal Protection

Freedom of speech/association

Privileges and/or Immunities Clauses

Other Dockets:

Western District of Washington 3:21-cv-05787

Washington state trial court 21-2-01641-34

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Non-settlement Outcome

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Damages

Document/Information

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Amount Defendant Pays: 0

Issues

Voting:

Election administration