Case: Yi v. Board of Elections of Montgomery County of Maryland

8:16-cv-01850 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: June 3, 2016

Closed Date: Sept. 12, 2016

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case alleging that naturalized citizens should be allowed to run for president.  On June 3, 2016, plaintiff, a naturalized citizen of the US, filed this suit pro se against the Board of Elections of Montgomery County Of Maryland and the Maryland Board of Elections in the District Court of Maryland. Plaintiff stated that, as of 1978, he was a naturalized U.S. citizen, but he could not vote for himself in primary and general elections for president. Plaintiff alleged that because he is …

This is a case alleging that naturalized citizens should be allowed to run for president. 

On June 3, 2016, plaintiff, a naturalized citizen of the US, filed this suit pro se against the Board of Elections of Montgomery County Of Maryland and the Maryland Board of Elections in the District Court of Maryland. Plaintiff stated that, as of 1978, he was a naturalized U.S. citizen, but he could not vote for himself in primary and general elections for president. Plaintiff alleged that because he is a U.S. citizen barred from running for President in the primary and general election, the "voting process" violates the Fifteenth amendment and the election was unconstitutional. Additionally, Plaintiff generally alleged that the restriction on his ability to run for President violated the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. Plaintiff sought injunctive relief that the defendants cease operation in the November general election.The case was assigned to Judge Paul W. Grimm. 

On September 12, 2016, the District Court dismissed the case for lack of a plausible cause of action, as a naturalized citizen cannot become President under Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution. 

The case is now closed. 

Summary Authors

(10/31/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5278529/parties/yi-v-board-of-elections-of-montgomery-county-of-maryland/


Judge(s)

Grimm, Paul William (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Yi, Chong Su (Maryland)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

8:16-cv-01850

Complaint

June 3, 2016

June 3, 2016

Complaint
3

8:16-cv-01850

Memorandum Opinion

Sept. 12, 2016

Sept. 12, 2016

Order/Opinion
4

8:16-cv-01850

Order

Sept. 12, 2016

Sept. 12, 2016

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5278529/yi-v-board-of-elections-of-montgomery-county-of-maryland/

Last updated Jan. 30, 2025, 2:49 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Board of Elections of Montgomery County Of Maryland, Maryland Board of Elections, filed by Chong Su Yi. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Proposed Summons, # 3 Proposed Summons)(jf3, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 06/03/2016)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

2 Proposed Summons

View on RECAP

3 Proposed Summons

View on RECAP

June 3, 2016

June 3, 2016

Clearinghouse
2

MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Chong Su Yi (jf3, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 06/03/2016)

June 3, 2016

June 3, 2016

Clearinghouse

Case Reassigned to Judge Paul W. Grimm. Judge Roger W Titus no longer assigned to the case. (aos, Deputy Clerk)

June 6, 2016

June 6, 2016

PACER
3

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Paul W. Grimm on 9/9/2016. (c/m 9/12/2016 aos, Deputy Clerk)

Sept. 12, 2016

Sept. 12, 2016

RECAP
4

ORDER granting 2 MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis ; dismissing complaint; directing clerk to close case. Signed by Judge Paul W. Grimm on 9/9/2016. (c/m 9/12/2016 aos, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 09/12/2016)

Sept. 12, 2016

Sept. 12, 2016

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 3, 2016

Closing Date: Sept. 12, 2016

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Naturalized US citizen

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Board of Elections of Montgomery County of Maryland (Montgomery), County

Case Details

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process: Substantive Due Process

Fifteenth Amendment

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Discrimination Basis:

National origin discrimination

Voting:

Candidate qualifications