Case: White v. Clegg

2:19-cv-00913 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Filed Date: May 21, 2019

Closed Date: Sept. 24, 2019

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On May 21, 2019, plaintiff, a registered voter in San Joaquin County, filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the city of Stockton, the city clerk, the registrar of voters, and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla in their official government capacity. Plaintiff alleged that defendants failed to comply with the National Voter Registration Act by failing to maintain current voter records. Plaintiff requested an order requiring defendants to…

On May 21, 2019, plaintiff, a registered voter in San Joaquin County, filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the city of Stockton, the city clerk, the registrar of voters, and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla in their official government capacity. Plaintiff alleged that defendants failed to comply with the National Voter Registration Act by failing to maintain current voter records. Plaintiff requested an order requiring defendants to purge voter records of ineligible voters as required by the National Voter Registration Act to enable plaintiff to obtain the required number of signatures from eligible voters to repeal a City Ordinance for the City of Stockton, California. Plaintiff was primarily concerned with an ordinance that allegedly permitted defendants to place a lien on real property on behalf of private entities for unpaid utility bills. Plaintiff also requested an injunction to stop the implementation of the ordinance.

On June 12, 2019, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the action for failure to state a claim for which relief could be granted under rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. However, upon a review of the ordinance, Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan determined that the action and each Defendants' Motion to Dismiss were moot because the City Ordinance only permitted the City of Stockton to place a lien on real property on behalf of the City for unpaid bills in connection with utility services that were provided by the City (and not private entities). Plaintiff and Defendants agreed with the Magistrate Judge's findings, and on September 24, 2019, the court issued an order dismissing the case in accordance with the Magistrate Judge's finding and recommendations. 

This case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Kierre Elvington (3/30/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16011447/parties/pswhite-v-clegg/


Judge(s)

Mendez, John A. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

Ghannam, Jamil Radwan (California)

Morrish, Jason Robert (California)

Sakata, Erin Hiroko (California)

Stegeman, Chad A. (California)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

2:19-cv-00913

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

May 21, 2019

May 21, 2019

Complaint
1

2:19-cv-00913

Complaint

May 21, 2019

May 21, 2019

Complaint
1

2:19-cv-00913

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

May 21, 2019

May 21, 2019

Complaint
1-1

2:19-cv-00913

Civil Cover Sheet

May 21, 2019

May 21, 2019

Other
8

2:19-cv-00913

Notice of Motion and Motion to Dismiss

White v. City of Stockton

June 10, 2019

June 10, 2019

Pleading / Motion / Brief
8

2:19-cv-00913

Notice of Motion and Motion to Dismiss

June 10, 2019

June 10, 2019

Pleading / Motion / Brief
8-1

2:19-cv-00913

Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Motion to Dismiss

White v. City of Stockton

June 10, 2019

June 10, 2019

Pleading / Motion / Brief
8-2

2:19-cv-00913

Declaration of Jamil R. Ghannam

White v. City of Stockton

June 10, 2019

June 10, 2019

Declaration/Affidavit
10

2:19-cv-00913

Defendant Melinda Dubroff's Notice of Motion and Motion for an Order to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

June 12, 2019

June 12, 2019

Pleading / Motion / Brief
10

2:19-cv-00913

Defendant Melinda Bubroff's Notice of Motion and Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint For Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

June 12, 2019

June 12, 2019

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16011447/pswhite-v-clegg/

Last updated June 29, 2026, 5:30 a.m.

Docket for: (PS)White v. Clegg
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 May 21, 2019

COMPLAINT against City of Stockton, Christian Clegg, Melinda Druboff, Alex Padilla by Ralph Lee White. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Reader, L) (Entered: 05/21/2019)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

Clearinghouse
2 May 21, 2019

SUMMONS ISSUED as to *City of Stockton, Christian Clegg, Melinda Druboff, Alex Padilla* with answer to complaint due within *21* days. Attorney *Ralph Lee White* *2201 E. Eighth Street* *Stockton, California 95206*. (Reader, L) (Entered: 05/21/2019)

RECAP
3 May 21, 2019

CIVIL NEW CASE DOCUMENTS ISSUED Initial Scheduling Conference set for 10/30/2019 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 8 (EFB) before Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan. (Attachments: # 1 Consent Form) (Reader, L) (Entered: 05/21/2019)

RECAP
May 21, 2019

RECEIPT number #CAE200098329 $400.00 Civil Filing Fee fbo Ralph White by Ralph White on 5/21/2019. (Reader, L)

May 21, 2019

SERVICE BY MAIL: [HAND DELIVERED] 2 Summons, 3 Civil New Case Documents for JAM served on Ralph Lee White. (Reader, L)

4 May 28, 2019

CONSENT to JURISDICTION of US MAGISTRATE JUDGE by Ralph Lee White. (Becknal, R) (Entered: 05/29/2019)

RECAP
5 May 28, 2019

SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED: Melinda Druboff served on 5/22/19. (Becknal, R) (Entered: 05/29/2019)

RECAP
6 May 28, 2019

SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED: City of Stockton served on 5/21/19. (Becknal, R) (Entered: 05/29/2019)

RECAP
7 May 28, 2019

SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED: Alex Padilla served on 5/28/19. (Becknal, R) (Entered: 05/29/2019)

RECAP
8 June 10, 2019

MOTION to DISMISS by City of Stockton, Christian Clegg. Attorney Ghannam, Jamil Radwan added. Motion Hearing set for 7/17/2019 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 8 (EFB) before Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum of Points and Authorities, # 2 Declaration of Jamil R. Ghannam, # 3 Proof of Service)(Ghannam, Jamil) Modified on 6/11/2019 (Becknal, R). (Entered: 06/10/2019)

1 Memorandum

View on RECAP

2 Declaration of Jamil R. Ghannam

View on RECAP

3 Proof of Service

View on PACER

Clearinghouse
9 June 10, 2019

DECLINE to PROCEED BEFORE US MAGISTRATE JUDGE by City of Stockton, Christian Clegg. (Ghannam, Jamil) (Entered: 06/10/2019)

RECAP
10 June 12, 2019

MOTION to DISMISS by Melinda Druboff. Attorney Sakata, Erin Hiroko added. Motion Hearing set for 7/17/2019 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 8 (EFB) before Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan. (Attachments: # 1 Points and Authorities, # 2 Proof of Service)(Sakata, Erin) Modified on 6/13/2019 (Becknal, R). Modified on 6/17/2019 (Cannarozzi, N). (Entered: 06/12/2019)

1 Points and Authorities

View on RECAP

2 Proof of Service

View on RECAP

Clearinghouse
12 June 12, 2019

RESPONSE to the court's meet and confer requirements by Ralph Lee White. (Becknal, R) (Entered: 06/13/2019)

RECAP
11 June 13, 2019

CONSENT to JURISDICTION of US MAGISTRATE JUDGE by Melinda Druboff. Attorney Morrish, Jason Robert added. (Morrish, Jason) (Entered: 06/13/2019)

RECAP
13 June 18, 2019

MOTION to DISMISS by Alex Padilla. Attorney Stegeman, Chad A. added. Motion Hearing set for 7/31/2019 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 8 (EFB) before Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum)(Stegeman, Chad) Modified on 6/18/2019 (Mena-Sanchez, L). (Entered: 06/18/2019)

1 Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Motion to Dismiss

View on RECAP

Clearinghouse
14 June 18, 2019

DECLINE to PROCEED BEFORE US MAGISTRATE JUDGE by Alex Padilla. (Stegeman, Chad) Modified on 6/18/2019 (Mena-Sanchez, L). (Entered: 06/18/2019)

RECAP
15 June 18, 2019

MINUTE ORDER: The 7/17/2019 hearing re: Defts' Motions to Dismiss 8 and 10 are ordered CONTINUED to 7/31/2019 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 8 (EFB) before Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan on 6/18/2019. (Text only entry)(Cannarozzi, N) (Entered: 06/18/2019)

RECAP
16 June 18, 2019

AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Alex Padilla re 13 Motion to Dismiss and 14 Decline of Jurisdiction of US Magistrate Judge. (Stegeman, Chad) Modified on 6/19/2019 (Coll, A). (Entered: 06/18/2019)

RECAP
June 18, 2019

SERVICE BY MAIL: 15 Minute Order served on Ralph Lee White. (Cannarozzi, N)

17 June 27, 2019

OPPOSITION by Ralph Lee White to 8, 10, and 13 Motions to Dismiss. (Huang, H) (Entered: 06/28/2019)

Clearinghouse
18 July 23, 2019

REPLY by City of Stockton, Christian Clegg to 17 Opposition to Motion. (Attachments: # 1 Request for Judicial Notice)(Ghannam, Jamil) Modified on 7/24/2019 (Coll, A). (Entered: 07/23/2019)

1 Request for Judicial

View on RECAP

Clearinghouse
19 July 24, 2019

REPLY by Alex Padilla re 13 Motion to Dismiss. (Stegeman, Chad) (Entered: 07/24/2019)

Clearinghouse
20 July 24, 2019

REPLY by Melinda Druboff re 17 Opposition to Motion. (Sakata, Erin) (Entered: 07/24/2019)

Clearinghouse
21 July 31, 2019

MINUTES (Text Only) for MOTION HEARING held on 7/31/2019 before Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan re: Defts' Motions to Dismiss 8, 10, 13 . All parties present. Arguments heard regarding the pending motions. Findings and Recommendations to issue. Plaintiff, in pro se, present. Defendants Counsel Chad Stegeman, Jamil Ghannam and Erin Sakata present. Court Reporter/CD Number: ECRO. (Cannarozzi, N) (Entered: 07/31/2019)

RECAP
22 July 31, 2019

EXHIBIT A by Ralph Lee White re: 7/31/2019 motion hearing 21 . (Cannarozzi, N) (Entered: 07/31/2019)

RECAP
23 Aug. 2, 2019

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS signed by Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan on 8/1/2019 RECOMMENDING that this action be dismissed as moot, defendants' 8, 10, 13, motions to dismiss be denied as moot, and the clerk be directed to close the case. Referred to Judge John A. Mendez, Objections due within 14 days after being served with these F & R's. (Reader, L) Modified on 8/5/2019 (Reader, L). (Entered: 08/02/2019)

Clearinghouse
Aug. 2, 2019

SERVICE BY MAIL: 23 Findings and Recommendations, served on Ralph Lee White. (Reader, L)

24 Sept. 24, 2019

ORDER ADOPTING 23 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS signed by District Judge John A. Mendez on 09/24/19 DISMISSING action as moot; 8, 10 and 13 Motions to Dismiss DENIED as MOOT. CASE CLOSED (Benson, A.) (Entered: 09/24/2019)

RECAP
25 Sept. 24, 2019

JUDGMENT dated *09/24/19* pursuant to order signed by District Judge John A. Mendez on 09/24/19. (Benson, A.) (Entered: 09/24/2019)

RECAP
Sept. 24, 2019

SERVICE BY MAIL: 24 Order Adopting Findings and Recommendations and 25 Judgment served on Ralph Lee White. (Benson, A.)

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 21, 2019

Closing Date: Sept. 24, 2019

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Private Plaintiff

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City

City of Stockton, California

State

California

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

National Voter Registration Act ("Motor Voter law"), 52 U.S.C. § 20501 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg)

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of California 2:19-cv-00913

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Non-settlement Outcome

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Content of Injunction:

Recordkeeping

Issues

Voting:

Voter registration rules

Recommended Citation