Case: Simpson v. Garrett
2:16-cv-13784 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Filed Date: Oct. 24, 2016
Closed Date: Dec. 28, 2016
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Case Summary
This is a case alleging that a candidate for a Board of Education position in Detroit, Michigan was improperly added to the ballot.
On October 24, 2016, a candidate for the Detroit Community School District Board of Education filed this suit in the Eastern District of Michigan against the Wayne County Election Commission, Wayne County Board of Canvassers, City of Detroit Election Inspectors, Wayne County Clerk, and Detroit City Clerk. Plaintiff claimed she was denied equal protection and due process of law due to the Defendants’ decision to allow another candidate on the ballot for Board of Education, despite not meeting the requirement for appearing on ballot in a general election according to state law M.C.L. § 168.689. Plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief to preliminarily or permanently prevent the defendants from counting or certifying any votes for the other candidate. This case was brought by plaintiff after a previous case, Bailer v. Detroit City Clerk, was concluded that alleged similar facts under which a court found that the other candidate was entitled to be placed on the ballot.
On the same day, plaintiff filed a motion for temporary restraining order or motion for preliminary injunction.
On November 7, 2016, defendants filed a motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claims. They argued there was no cognizable interest in the plaintiff’s claims and that the courts should uphold previous decisions made in a previous case, Bailer v. Detroit City Clerk, as plaintiff was seeking the same, unawarded, result.
On December 28, 2016, District Judge Arthur J. Tarnow denied plaintiff’s request for a temporary restraining order and granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss on the grounds that plaintiff had no recognizable interest and the court was obligated to uphold previous decisions (Res Judicata).
The case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Elliot Letts (7/23/2024)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5488973/parties/simpson-v-garrett/
Davis, Hugh M. (Michigan)
Fancher, Mark P. (Michigan)
Goodman, William H. (Michigan)
Heenan, Cynthia (Michigan)
Anderson-Davis, Janet (Michigan)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5488973/simpson-v-garrett/
Last updated June 29, 2026, 5:21 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project
Key Dates
Filing Date: Oct. 24, 2016
Closing Date: Dec. 28, 2016
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
candidate for Detroit Community School District Board of Education
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
City
CITY OF DETROIT ELECTION INSPECTORS
County
WAYNE COUNTY BOARD OF CANVASSERS
WAYNE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION
Private Entity/Person
CATHY M. GARRETT
JANICE WINFREY
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of Michigan 2:16-cv-13784
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Content of Injunction:
Order Duration: 2016 - 2016
Issues
Voting:
Case Summary of Simpson v. Garrett, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/44949/ (last updated 7/23/2024).