Case: Michigan Democratic Party v. Michigan Republican Party

2:16-cv-13924 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: Nov. 4, 2016

Closed Date: Nov. 17, 2016

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case alleging voter intimidation by the Republican Party and Trump campaign during the 2016 general election.  On November 4, 2016 (five days before Election Day), the Michigan Democratic Party filed a complaint against defendants, the Michigan Republican Party, Donald Trump for President, Roger J. Stone, and Stop the Steal, in the Eastern District of Michigan. The complaint alleged that Donald Trump and his campaign instructed supporters via tweets, statements during rallies, and oth…

This is a case alleging voter intimidation by the Republican Party and Trump campaign during the 2016 general election. 

On November 4, 2016 (five days before Election Day), the Michigan Democratic Party filed a complaint against defendants, the Michigan Republican Party, Donald Trump for President, Roger J. Stone, and Stop the Steal, in the Eastern District of Michigan. The complaint alleged that Donald Trump and his campaign instructed supporters via tweets, statements during rallies, and other dialogue to intimidate voters and prevent people from voting for Clinton. This behavior, plaintiff alleged, amounted to a conspiracy of voter intimidation of minority voters in violation of the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

On November 7, 2016, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. 

On November 9, 2016, the plaintiffs filed a voluntary motion to dismiss, which was granted on November 17, 2016. 

The case is now closed. 

Summary Authors

Nick Wiley (7/9/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4513748/parties/michigan-democratic-party-v-michigan-republican-party/

Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Britton, James A. (Michigan)

Attorney for Defendant
Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Bell, Charles H (Michigan)

Carvin, Michael A. (Michigan)

Doster, Eric E. (Michigan)

Ellsworth, Peter H. (Michigan)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:16-cv-13924

Voter Intimidation Complaint Pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Nov. 4, 2016

Nov. 4, 2016

Complaint
12

2:16-cv-13924

Motion to Dismiss

Nov. 7, 2016

Nov. 7, 2016

Pleading / Motion / Brief
14

2:16-cv-13924

Defendant Donald J. Trump For President, Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss Under Rule 12(B)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

Nov. 7, 2016

Nov. 7, 2016

Pleading / Motion / Brief
16

2:16-cv-13924

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

Nov. 9, 2016

Nov. 9, 2016

Pleading / Motion / Brief
18

2:16-cv-13924

Order of Dismissal

Nov. 17, 2016

Nov. 17, 2016

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4513748/michigan-democratic-party-v-michigan-republican-party/

Last updated Aug. 8, 2025, 7:30 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT filed by Michigan Democratic Party against All Defendants. Plaintiff requests summons issued. Receipt No: 0645-5947265 - Fee: $ 400. County of 1st Plaintiff: Ingham - County Where Action Arose: Wayne - County of 1st Defendant: Ingham. [Previously dismissed case: No] [Possible companion case(s): None] (Gurewitz, Mary Ellen) (Entered: 11/04/2016)

Nov. 4, 2016

Nov. 4, 2016

Clearinghouse

Notice to Parties of Consent of a Civil Action before a Magistrate Judge Option

Nov. 4, 2016

Nov. 4, 2016

PACER
2

SUMMONS Issued for *Donald J. Trump For President, Inc., Michigan Republican Party, Roger J. Stone, Jr., Stop The Steal Inc.* (DWor) (Entered: 11/04/2016)

Nov. 4, 2016

Nov. 4, 2016

PACER

A United States Magistrate Judge of this Court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 636c and FRCP 73. The Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge form is available for download at http://www.mied.uscourts.gov (DWor)

Nov. 4, 2016

Nov. 4, 2016

PACER
3

ORDER Regarding Certification Requirements. Signed by District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith. (Sandusky, K) (Entered: 11/04/2016)

Nov. 4, 2016

Nov. 4, 2016

Clearinghouse
4

NOTICE of Appearance by Jason T Hanselman on behalf of Michigan Republican Party. (Hanselman, Jason) (Entered: 11/04/2016)

Nov. 4, 2016

Nov. 4, 2016

PACER
5

NOTICE of Appearance by Gary P. Gordon on behalf of Michigan Republican Party. (Gordon, Gary) (Entered: 11/04/2016)

Nov. 4, 2016

Nov. 4, 2016

PACER
6

NOTICE of Appearance by W. Alan Wilk on behalf of Michigan Republican Party. (Wilk, W.) (Entered: 11/04/2016)

Nov. 4, 2016

Nov. 4, 2016

PACER
7

NOTICE of Appearance by Eric E. Doster on behalf of Michigan Republican Party. (Doster, Eric) (Entered: 11/07/2016)

Nov. 7, 2016

Nov. 7, 2016

PACER
8

CERTIFICATE of Service/Summons Returned Executed. Roger J. Stone, Jr. served on 11/4/2016, answer due 11/28/2016. (Gurewitz, Mary Ellen) (Entered: 11/07/2016)

Nov. 7, 2016

Nov. 7, 2016

PACER
9

CERTIFICATE of Service/Summons Returned Executed. Stop The Steal Inc. served on 11/4/2016, answer due 11/28/2016. (Gurewitz, Mary Ellen) (Entered: 11/07/2016)

Nov. 7, 2016

Nov. 7, 2016

PACER
10

CERTIFICATE of Service/Summons Returned Executed. Donald J. Trump For President, Inc. served on 11/4/2016, answer due 11/28/2016. (Gurewitz, Mary Ellen) (Entered: 11/07/2016)

Nov. 7, 2016

Nov. 7, 2016

PACER
11

CERTIFICATE of Service/Summons Returned Executed. Michigan Republican Party served on 11/4/2016, answer due 11/28/2016. (Gurewitz, Mary Ellen) (Entered: 11/07/2016)

Nov. 7, 2016

Nov. 7, 2016

PACER
12

MOTION to Dismiss by Michigan Republican Party. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1) (Gordon, Gary) (Entered: 11/07/2016)

1 Exhibit Exhibit 1

View on RECAP

Nov. 7, 2016

Nov. 7, 2016

Clearinghouse
13

NOTICE of Appearance by Jeffrey J. Jones on behalf of Donald J. Trump For President, Inc.. (Jones, Jeffrey) (Entered: 11/07/2016)

Nov. 7, 2016

Nov. 7, 2016

PACER
14

MOTION to Dismiss by Donald J. Trump For President, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibits A-F) (Jones, Jeffrey) (Entered: 11/07/2016)

1 Exhibit Exhibits A-F

View on RECAP

Nov. 7, 2016

Nov. 7, 2016

Clearinghouse
15

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Michigan Republican Party for Motion for Rule 11 Sanctions Against Plaintiff (Gordon, Gary) (Entered: 11/08/2016)

Nov. 8, 2016

Nov. 8, 2016

PACER
16

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by Michigan Democratic Party (Gurewitz, Mary Ellen) (Entered: 11/09/2016)

Nov. 9, 2016

Nov. 9, 2016

Clearinghouse
17

NOTICE TO APPEAR BY TELEPHONE: Status Conference set for 11/17/2016 at 10:00 AM before District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith. Attorney for Plaintiff shall initiate the conference call and then include the Court when all parties are available by calling 313/234-5240. (Sandusky, K) (Entered: 11/14/2016)

Nov. 14, 2016

Nov. 14, 2016

PACER

Minute Entry for proceedings before District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith: Telephonic Status Conference held on 11/17/2016 (Sandusky, K)

Nov. 17, 2016

Nov. 17, 2016

PACER
18

ORDER OF DISMISSAL. Signed by District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith. (Sandusky, K) (Entered: 11/17/2016)

Nov. 17, 2016

Nov. 17, 2016

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Michigan

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 4, 2016

Closing Date: Nov. 17, 2016

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Michigan Democratic Party

Plaintiff Type(s):

Public (for-profit) corporation

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Michigan Republican Party, Donald J. Trump For President, Inc., Roger J. Stone, Jr., and Stop the Steal Inc., Political Party

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1985

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Non-settlement Outcome

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Amount Defendant Pays: Unknown

Order Duration: 2016 - 2016

Issues

General/Misc.:

Aggressive behavior

Voting:

Voting: General & Misc.

Voting: Physical/Effective Access