Case: Key v. City of Augusta
1:17-cv-00007 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
Filed Date: Jan. 5, 2017
Closed Date: Sept. 5, 2017
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Case Summary
This is a case about a state prisoner's right to vote in the 2016 presidential and state elections.
On January 5, 2017, the plaintiff, who was incarcerated at the Main State Prison-Warren, filed this lawsuit in United States District Court, District of Maine. The plaintiff, who argued that he had a valid pre-incarceration street address, alleged that Defendants were negligent in denying his voter registration for a non-existent street address and that departmental practices amounted to discriminatory and prejudicial practices. The plaintiff sued the City of Augusta and its personnel under 42 U.S.C. §1983. The pro se plaintiff sought 1) declaratory judgment that voter discrimination violated the Fifteenth Amendment and constituted voter discrimination under state law, 2) an injunction ordering Defendants to implement policies that prevent voter disenfranchisement, 3) compensatory damages for $75,000 against Defendant personnel and $100,000 against the City of Augusta, 4) punitive damages for $30,000. The case was assigned to Magistrate Judge John C. Nivison.
On June 28, 2017, the plaintiff filed a motion to dismiss without prejudice for lack of adequate resources and counsel by nature of being in prison.
On June 30, 2017, the defendants filed an opposition to motion to dismiss on grounds that: 1) the defendants have expended considerable time and resources, 2) the plaintiff has lacked proper diligence, 3) the plaintiff's grounds for dismissal are insufficient, and 4) the defendants' desire to file a motion for summary judgment and desire a ruling on the merits.
On September 5, 2017, Judge Nivison granted the plaintiff's motion to dismiss without prejudice on grounds that a plaintiff seeking to dismiss a claim is significant and that the defendants have not expended significant time, effort, and resources. The case is now closed.
Summary Authors
LFAA (5/23/2024)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6194854/parties/key-v-city-of-augusta/
Nivison, John C. (Maine)
KEY, RAISHAWN (Maine)
FRANCO, MARK V. (Maine)
STEIGELMAN, TIMOTHY E. (Maine)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6194854/key-v-city-of-augusta/
Last updated Aug. 31, 2026, 4:35 a.m.
Docket for: KEY v. CITY OF AUGUSTA
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 5, 2017
Closing Date: Sept. 5, 2017
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
An individual incarcerated in Maine State Prison-Warren who registered to vote but was denied.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
City
City of Augusta
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of Maine 1:17-cv-00007
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
Voting:
Case Summary of Key v. City of Augusta, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/44915/ (last updated 5/23/2024).