Filed Date: March 4, 2022
Closed Date: March 15, 2024
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The issue is whether Plaintiff was wrongfully removed from the Ninth Congressional District race.
On March 4, 2022, Plaintiff filed this complaint pro se in the Western District of Tennessee alleging violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, 42 U.S.C. § 1985, and 42 U.S.C. 1986 of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Plaintiff filed this action against the Coordinator of Tennessee Elections, Chairwomen of the Tennessee Democratic Party, and the Shelby County Election Commissioner. In his complaint, Plaintiff alleged that he was wrongfully terminated from the race for the Ninth Congressional Seat in 2020 in order to prevent an African American individual from taking office.
This case relates to a previous matter in 2020, when a judge ruled that Plaintiff was improperly removed from the ballot and should have been placed on the election ballot for the Ninth Congressional District race, based upon the circumstances surrounding the Defendants' removal of Plaintiff off the 2018 ballot. In the 2018 matter, Chancellor Walter Evans stated the Tennessee Code Annotated Section 2-13-203 does not apply to Plaintiff's bid to run for Congress as he is running for one (1) of the four (4) offices listed, which falls under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 2-13-202. Chancellor Walter Evans also cited that the Tennessee Democratic Party's own bylaws acknowledge its lack of power to create procedures for selecting a nominee for U.S. Congress.
On March 4, 2022, Plaintiff failed to file and complete the summonses that were to be submitted with the Complaint. The Court ordered Plaintiff to Show Cause as why the case should not be dismissed given Plaintiff's failure to complete the summonses and return them to the Court within 90 days.
Plaintiff responded by a Response to Show Cause and Recommendation dated March 27, 2023, citing that the failure to provide and submit the completed summonses was a result of the changes in counsel of Plaintiff over the course of the case. John M. Drake was noted as the new counsel of Plaintiff, and was in the process of getting admitted to the Western District of Tennessee.
On February 26, 2024, an Order and Recommendation by U.S. Magistrate Judge Charmaine G. Claxton was entered into under Administrative Order 2013-05, stating the case should be dismissed without prejudice due to Plaintiff's failure to timely serve defendants.
On March 15, 2024, an Order Adopting Report and Recommendation and Dismissing Complaint without Prejudice for Failure to Effect Timely Service signed by United States District Court Judge Mark S. Norris was issued dismissing the case.
Summary Authors
Alana Lightenberg (3/15/2024)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63136497/parties/alexandria-williams-v-goins/
Norris, Mark Saalfield (Tennessee)
Alexandria-Williams, M. Latroy (Tennessee)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63136497/alexandria-williams-v-goins/
Last updated Aug. 9, 2025, 9:44 p.m.
State / Territory: Tennessee
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 4, 2022
Closing Date: March 15, 2024
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiff M. Latroy Alexandria-Williams alleges wrongful ouster from the 9th Congressional District race in Western Tennessee and for wrongful termination of his candidacy for the 9th Congressional seat in the 2020 election.
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
LINDA PHILLIPS, Shelby County Election Commissioner (Memphis, Shelby), County
LINDA PHILLIPS, Shelby County Election Commissioner (Memphis, Shelby), County
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Unknown
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Voting: