Case: Hamilton v. United States

1:16-cv-09845 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: Oct. 19, 2016

Closed Date: Nov. 1, 2016

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Case Summary

This case involved various generalized allegations relating to federal and state elections against the United States of America and various congressmembers. An Illinois resident filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on October 19, 2016. The Plaintiff proceeded pro se. The Plaintiff alleged that she had concerns in regard to issues such as early voting, absentee voting, voting by felons, and voting by non-citizens. In the Complaint, Plaintiff contended that …

This case involved various generalized allegations relating to federal and state elections against the United States of America and various congressmembers.

An Illinois resident filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on October 19, 2016. The Plaintiff proceeded pro se. The Plaintiff alleged that she had concerns in regard to issues such as early voting, absentee voting, voting by felons, and voting by non-citizens. In the Complaint, Plaintiff contended that the “2016 federal elections [were] in a state of chaos” and sought to petition Congress to “expeditiously draft legislation to enforce” the Constitution and to “take back control from private political factions.” In the Complaint, the Plaintiff also petitioned Congress to conduct separate elections for state and federal elections, and for legislation that would require paper ballots for federal election and other conditions for federal elections. The Plaintiff asked the Court to order the Republican National Convention to reconvene and engage in certain procedures regarding the selection of the republican candidates. Plaintiff cited to Article 1, Section 2; Article 1, Section 4; Article 1, Section 5; and the seventeenth Amendment, among other provisions of the Constitution. Plaintiff offered no causes of action. The Plaintiff sought injunctive relief. The case was assigned to Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan.

The Court dismissed the action and denied all pending motions as moot on November 1, 2016. In its order, the Court reasoned that a court was not "the proper forum" in which to present Plaintiff's requests. The Court determined that the Plaintiff’s “general statements as to violations of the Constitution, even when liberally construed, fail[ed] to suggest a valid federal claim.” 

Summary Authors

Madilynn O'Hara (11/1/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13395896/parties/hamilton-v-united-states-of-america/


Judge(s)

Der-Yeghiayan, Samuel (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Hamilton, Maisha Imani (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

Chicago, AUSA - (Illinois)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:16-cv-09845

Petition to Nominal Defendants / Respondents Complaint for Injunction Against Defendant

Hamilton v. USA

Oct. 19, 2016

Oct. 19, 2016

Complaint
5

1:16-cv-09845

Order and Statement

Hamilton v. USA

Nov. 1, 2016

Nov. 1, 2016

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13395896/hamilton-v-united-states-of-america/

Last updated May 15, 2024, 11:46 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

RECEIVED Complaint and 1 copy by Maisha Hamilton. (Exhibits). (eg,) (Entered: 10/20/2016)

Oct. 19, 2016

Oct. 19, 2016

Clearinghouse
3

PRO SE Appearance by Plaintiff Maisha Hamilton. (eg,) (Entered: 10/20/2016)

Oct. 19, 2016

Oct. 19, 2016

Clearinghouse
4

APPLICATION by Plaintiff Maisha Hamilton to proceed in District Court without prepaying fees or costs. (eg,) (Entered: 10/20/2016)

Oct. 19, 2016

Oct. 19, 2016

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4

Proceed In Forma Pauperis

Oct. 20, 2016

Oct. 20, 2016

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5

ORDER: The instant action is dismissed. Civil case terminated. All pending motions are denied as moot. 4 . Signed by the Honorable Samuel Der-Yeghiayan on 11/1/2016. Mailed notice. (eg,) (Entered: 11/02/2016)

Nov. 1, 2016

Nov. 1, 2016

Clearinghouse

***Civil Case Terminated. (eg,)

Nov. 1, 2016

Nov. 1, 2016

PACER
5

~Util - Terminate Civil Case AND Order AND Order on Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

Nov. 2, 2016

Nov. 2, 2016

Clearinghouse
6

LETTER from Christopher Wyma dated 3/27/2017; envelope post marked 3/23/2017. (ks, ) (Entered: 03/29/2017)

March 27, 2017

March 27, 2017

Clearinghouse

Case Details

State / Territory: Illinois

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 19, 2016

Closing Date: Nov. 1, 2016

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

An Illinois resident

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States of America, Federal

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Voting:

Challenges to at-large/multimember district/election

Election administration

Voter qualifications

Voting: General & Misc.