Filed Date: Aug. 28, 2018
Closed Date: Nov. 27, 2018
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This case is about a rejection of a petition to amend the Michigan State Constitution.
In 2018, Promote the Vote, a Michigan voting rights organization, collected petition signatures to submit a Michigan Constitutional amendment to the ballot. The proposed constitutional amendment included measures to: guarantee the secrecy of the ballot, secure the integrity and reliability of election results through an audit, ensure timely distribution of ballots to military and overseas voters, give citizens more freedom to register to vote, and provide registered citizens with access to an absentee ballot without having to give a reason.
Michigan State Election Officials (the “Defendants”), rejected the petition signatures that were deemed different than the state’s record of digitized signatures. The Defendants did not give notice or opportunity to rectify the situation.
On August 18, 2018, Promote the Vote and several Michigan voters filed suit against the defendants in the Eastern District of Michigan. Plaintiffs alleged the defendants' actions violated the Equal Protection Clause, Procedural Due Process, and the Constitutional right to vote. Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief that Defendants accept the petition signer affidavits and certify that the proposal had sufficient voter support for placement on the Michigan statewide ballot; and/or immediately cease and desist from rejecting petition signatures using their standardless and subjective signature comparison practice; and take such other or further action as necessary to certify the proposal for placement Michigan statewide ballot.
On August 30, 2018, Plaintiffs filed a motion for a temporary restraining order.
On November 27, 2018, Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their suit.
This case is now closed.
Summary Authors
(4/28/2024)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7763993/parties/promote-the-vote-v-johnson/
Berg, Terrence George (Michigan)
Dolente, Sharon (Michigan)
Gurewitz, Mary Ellen (Michigan)
Korobkin, Daniel S. (Michigan)
Barton, Denise C. (Michigan)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7763993/promote-the-vote-v-johnson/
Last updated Dec. 17, 2025, 5:13 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 28, 2018
Closing Date: Nov. 27, 2018
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Promote the Vote
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Michigan State Election Officials, State
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Voting Rights Act, unspecified, 52 U.S.C. § 10301 et seq (previously 42 U.S.C § 1973 et seq.)
Constitutional Clause(s):
Due Process: Procedural Due Process
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of Michigan 2:18-cv-12692
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
Voting: