Case: Lutz v. Wilson

2:18-cv-09631 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Filed Date: Oct. 16, 2018

Closed Date: Dec. 16, 2016

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Case Summary

This is a case about alleged improper felony disenfranchisement in New Orleans.  On October 16, 2018, an individual living in New Orleans who was determined to be ineligible to vote due to a felony conviction despite not being a convicted felon, filed this suit pro se in the Eastern District of Louisiana against the Registrar of Voters of New Orleans Parish. Plaintiff alleged that the 21 day window given to her by the Registrar’s Office to provide proof of no felony convictions was an unreasona…

This is a case about alleged improper felony disenfranchisement in New Orleans. 

On October 16, 2018, an individual living in New Orleans who was determined to be ineligible to vote due to a felony conviction despite not being a convicted felon, filed this suit pro se in the Eastern District of Louisiana against the Registrar of Voters of New Orleans Parish. Plaintiff alleged that the 21 day window given to her by the Registrar’s Office to provide proof of no felony convictions was an unreasonably short length of time. Plaintiff did not specify any laws that she alleged were violated. 

On October 17, 2018, the court found the plaintiff’s complaint to be deficient due to lack of subject matter jurisdiction. 

On November 5, 2018, after changing her address, plaintiff filed another complaint, identical to the first. 

The court denied the plaintiff’s motions to proceed in forma pauperis, but these were all denied. On December 26, 2018, the court dismissed the case. 

 

Summary Authors

Kevin Canning (5/13/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/8042151/parties/lutz-v-wilson/


Judge(s)

Vance, Sarah S. (Louisiana)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Lutz, Susan (Louisiana)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
2

2:18-cv-09631

Proceed In Forma Pauperis

Oct. 16, 2018

Oct. 16, 2018

Pleading / Motion / Brief
1

2:18-cv-09631

Complaint

Oct. 16, 2018

Oct. 16, 2018

Complaint
3

2:18-cv-09631

1 - Notice of Deficient Filing

Oct. 17, 2018

Oct. 17, 2018

Notice of Investigation or Suit/Demand Letter
6

2:18-cv-09631

Complaint

Nov. 5, 2018

Nov. 5, 2018

Complaint
4

2:18-cv-09631

Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs

Nov. 5, 2018

Nov. 5, 2018

Pleading / Motion / Brief
7

2:18-cv-09631

Order Considering the Application and Affidavit to Proceed in Forma Pauperis

Nov. 8, 2018

Nov. 8, 2018

Order/Opinion
8

2:18-cv-09631

Ex Parte Motion for Recusal

Nov. 20, 2018

Nov. 20, 2018

Pleading / Motion / Brief
9

2:18-cv-09631

Order of Reference to United States Magistrate Judge

Dec. 18, 2018

Dec. 18, 2018

Order/Opinion
10

2:18-cv-09631

Order

Dec. 26, 2018

Dec. 26, 2018

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/8042151/lutz-v-wilson/

Last updated Aug. 9, 2025, 9:15 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

**DEFICIENT**COMPLAINT against Sandra Wilson filed by Susan Lutz. (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(am) Modified on 10/17/2018 (am). (Entered: 10/17/2018)

1 Summons

View on RECAP

2 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

Oct. 16, 2018

Oct. 16, 2018

Clearinghouse
2

**DEFICIENT** EXPARTE/CONSENT MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Susan Lutz. Motion(s) referred to Karen Wells Roby. (am) Modified on 10/17/2018 (am). (Entered: 10/17/2018)

Oct. 16, 2018

Oct. 16, 2018

Clearinghouse
3

NOTICE OF DEFICIENT ProSe COMPLAINT: re 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis, 1 Complaint. Please see attached letter for steps needed to remedy deficiency. Deficiency remedy due by 11/7/2018. (am) (Main Document 3 replaced on 10/17/2018) (am). (Entered: 10/17/2018)

Oct. 17, 2018

Oct. 17, 2018

Clearinghouse
4

EXPARTE/CONSENT MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Susan Lutz. Motion(s) referred to Karen Wells Roby. (Attachments: # 1 Original Motion)(am) (Entered: 11/06/2018)

1 Original Motion

View on RECAP

Nov. 5, 2018

Nov. 5, 2018

Clearinghouse
5

NOTICE of Change of Address by Susan Lutz. (am) (Entered: 11/06/2018)

Nov. 5, 2018

Nov. 5, 2018

PACER
6

COMPLAINT against Sandra Wilson filed by Susan Lutz. (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(am) (Entered: 11/08/2018)

1 Summons

View on RECAP

2 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

Nov. 5, 2018

Nov. 5, 2018

Clearinghouse
7

ORDER: IT IS ORDERED that the 4 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED. Signed by Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby on November 7, 2018. (mp) (Entered: 11/08/2018)

Nov. 8, 2018

Nov. 8, 2018

Clearinghouse
8

EXPARTE/CONSENT MOTION for APPEAL/REVIEW OF MAGISTRATE JUDGE DECISION to District Court re 7 Order on Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Susan Lutz. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(am) (Entered: 11/20/2018)

1 Proposed Order

View on RECAP

Nov. 20, 2018

Nov. 20, 2018

Clearinghouse
9

ORDER REFERRING MOTION: 8 MOTION for APPEAL/REVIEW OF MAGISTRATE JUDGE DECISION to District Court re 7 Order on Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis filed by Susan Lutz. IT IS ORDERED that plaintiff's motion is hereby referred to Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby. Signed by Judge Sarah S. Vance on 12/18/2018. (NEF:Magistrate Judge Roby) (am) (Entered: 12/18/2018)

Dec. 18, 2018

Dec. 18, 2018

Clearinghouse
10

ORDER: IT IS ORDERED that the 8 Ex Parte Motion for Recusal is DENIED. Signed by Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby on December 21, 2018. (mp) (Entered: 12/26/2018)

Dec. 26, 2018

Dec. 26, 2018

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Louisiana

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 16, 2018

Closing Date: Dec. 16, 2016

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Individual

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Sandra Wilson (Orleans), State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Order Duration: 2018 - 2018

Issues

Voting:

Voter qualifications