Case: Public Integrity Alliance v. City of Tucson

4:15-cv-00138 | U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

Filed Date: April 6, 2015

Closed Date: March 20, 2017

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case is about Tucson, Arizona’s system of using ward-based primaries with at-large general elections for electing its city council members.  On April 6, 2015, Arizona nonprofit Public Integrity Alliance and five Tucson voters filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona (Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson) against defendant City of Tucson, its Mayor, and its City Council. Plaintiffs—represented by private counsel—alleged that defendants' voting system violated th…

This case is about Tucson, Arizona’s system of using ward-based primaries with at-large general elections for electing its city council members.

 On April 6, 2015, Arizona nonprofit Public Integrity Alliance and five Tucson voters filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona (Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson) against defendant City of Tucson, its Mayor, and its City Council. Plaintiffs—represented by private counsel—alleged that defendants' voting system violated the Equal Protection Clauses of the U.S. Constitution and Arizona Constitution and the Free and Equal Elections Clause of the Arizona Constitution.  Plaintiffs sought an order enjoining the operation of defendants' hybrid system and a declaration that the scheme was unconstitutional. The Complaint’s causes of action were 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the Declaratory Judgment Action, 28 U.S.C. § 2201, and the Arizona constitution. Simultaneous with the complaint, Plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction enjoining the system.

Plaintiffs argued that either (1) every Tucson voter must be permitted to vote in each ward’s primary, or (2) Tucson must switch to a purely ward-based system, in which voters for both the primary and general elections for a given council seat are limited to voting for the representative from their own ward and have no voice in selecting candidates from other wards.

Tucson used a “hybrid system” for electing its 6-member city council.  The city was divided into six wards of roughly equal population, and each ward would have one seat on the city council. The elections would proceed in two distinct parts. First, the primaries were ward-specific (and partisan): candidates for the ward seat had to reside in the ward, and voters could only vote in the primary for the ward they reside in. Second, the general election was at-large: voters could vote on general elections for all city council races with a seat. Once elected, councilmembers had a duty to represent the whole city, and not just their resident ward.

On May 20, 2015, U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson denied plaintiffs' motion for injunctive relief and entered a judgment in favor of the Tucson defendants (2015 WL 10791892).

Plaintiffs appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (docket no. 15-16142).  On November 10, 2015, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit reversed the district court’s order in a 2-1 decision (805 F.3d 876).  The majority opinion, authored by Circuit Judge Alex Kozinski and joined by Senior District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota Lawrence L. Piersol, held that Tucson’s system was unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause because it discriminated among residents of the same governmental unit, i.e. the City of Tucson.  Circuit Judge Richard C. Tallman authored a dissent.

Following the Ninth Circuit panel’s reversal, on December 11, 2015, the City of Tucson and other defendants petitioned the Ninth Circuit for panel rehearing or rehearing en banc.  On April 27, 2016, a majority of the Ninth Circuit agreed to hear the case en banc and vacated the panel decision.  On September 2, 2016, the en banc Ninth Circuit affirmed the decision of the trial court in favor of the City of Tucson, holding that the system as alleged did not violate the Equal Protection Clause (836 F.3d 1019).

Plaintiff petitioned for review by the Supreme Court of the United States on November 30, 2016.  The Supreme Court denied the petition on March 23, 2017.

This case is now closed. 

Summary Authors

James Brennan (12/30/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4134293/parties/public-integrity-alliance-incorporated-v-tucson-city-of/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Attorney, Kory A.

Attorney for Defendant

Attorney, Michael G.

Attorney, Dennis P.

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Attorney, Pamela Beth

Attorney, John Scott

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
3

4:15-cv-00138

Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction

April 6, 2015

April 6, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief
1

4:15-cv-00138

Complaint

April 6, 2015

April 6, 2015

Complaint

2015 WL 9907126

14

4:15-cv-00138

Opposition to Motion for Preliminary Injunction

April 29, 2015

April 29, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief
17

4:15-cv-00138

Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of their Motion for Preliminary Injunction

May 5, 2015

May 5, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief
22

4:15-cv-00138

Order

May 20, 2015

May 20, 2015

Order/Opinion

2015 WL 10791892

15-1

15-16142

Opening Brief of Appellants

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

July 6, 2015

July 6, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief
19-1

15-16142

Appellees' Answering Brief

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

July 23, 2015

July 23, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief
23

15-16142

Reply Brief of Appellants

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

July 27, 2015

July 27, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief

2015 WL 4592104

31-1

15-16142

Panel Opinion

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Nov. 10, 2015

Nov. 10, 2015

Order/Opinion

805 F.3d 876

35-1

15-16142

Appellees' Petition for Panel Rehearing and for Rehearing En Banc

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Dec. 11, 2015

Dec. 11, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4134293/public-integrity-alliance-incorporated-v-tucson-city-of/

Last updated Aug. 8, 2025, 7:05 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT. Filing fee received: $ 400.00, receipt number 0970-11538774 filed by Ken Smalley, Fernando Gonzales, Bruce Ash, Ann Holden, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Lori Oien. (Basile, Thomas) (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit)(DLC) (Entered: 04/07/2015)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Exhibit

View on PACER

April 6, 2015

April 6, 2015

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE of Constitutional Claim by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Ken Smalley. (Basile, Thomas) (DLC) (Entered: 04/07/2015)

April 6, 2015

April 6, 2015

PACER
3

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Ken Smalley. (Basile, Thomas) (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(DLC) (Entered: 04/07/2015)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

April 6, 2015

April 6, 2015

Clearinghouse
4

Corporate Disclosure Statement by Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated. (Basile, Thomas) (DLC) (Entered: 04/07/2015)

April 6, 2015

April 6, 2015

PACER
5

SUMMONS Submitted by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Ken Smalley. (Basile, Thomas) (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons)(DLC) (Entered: 04/07/2015)

April 6, 2015

April 6, 2015

PACER
6

Filing fee paid, receipt number 0970-11538774. This case has been assigned to the Honorable Cindy K. Jorgenson. All future pleadings or documents should bear the correct case number: 4:15-CV-138-TUC-CKJ. Notice of Availability of Magistrate Judge to Exercise Jurisdiction form attached. (DLC) (Entered: 04/07/2015)

April 6, 2015

April 6, 2015

PACER
7

Summons Issued as to Paul Cunningham, Richard Fimbres, Steve Kozachik, Roger Randolph, Regina Romero, Jonathan Rothschild, Shirley Scott, Tucson, City of, Karin Uhlich. (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons)(DLC). *** IMPORTANT: When printing the summons, select "Document and stamps" or "Document and comments" for the seal to appear on the document. (Entered: 04/07/2015)

April 7, 2015

April 7, 2015

PACER
8

AFFIDAVIT of Thomas J. Basile Affidavit of Service by Plaintiff Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated. (Basile, Thomas) (Entered: 04/08/2015)

April 8, 2015

April 8, 2015

PACER
9

SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated: Certificate of Service re: Complaint, Notice of Constitutional Claim and Motion for Preliminary Injunction upon Andrew Biggs in his capacity as the President of Arizona Senate on 4/7/15. (Basile, Thomas) (Entered: 04/17/2015)

April 17, 2015

April 17, 2015

PACER
10

SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated: Certificate of Service re: Complaint, Notice of Constitutional Claim and Motion for Preliminary Injunction upon David Gowan, in his capacity as the Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives on 4/7/15. (Basile, Thomas) (Entered: 04/17/2015)

April 17, 2015

April 17, 2015

PACER
11

SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated: Certificate of Service re: Complaint, Notice of Constitutional Claim and Motion for Preliminary Injunction upon Mark Brnovich, in his capacity as the Attorney General of Arizona on 4/7/15. (Basile, Thomas) (Entered: 04/17/2015)

April 17, 2015

April 17, 2015

PACER
12

ORDER: IT IS ORDERED the Answer to the 1 Complaint shall be filed on or before 4/29/15. Any response to the 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction shall be filed on or before 4/29/15; any reply to the response to the 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction shall be filed on or before 5/6/15. This matter is set for hearing on the Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Trial on 5/8/15 at 9:00 a.m. If the parties intend to present testimony at the 5/8/15 hearing, they shall file a notice of anticipated length of hearing, a witness list, and an exhibit list on or before 5/6/15. Signed by Judge Cindy K Jorgenson on 4/16/15. (BAC) (Entered: 04/20/2015)

April 20, 2015

April 20, 2015

PACER
13

* ANSWER to 1 Complaint by Paul Cunningham, Richard Fimbres, Steve Kozachik, Roger Randolph, Regina Romero, Jonathan Rothschild, Shirley Scott, Tucson, City of, Karin Uhlich.(Brown, Richard) *Modified to add attorneys Dennis Patrick McLaughlin, Richard M Rollman, and Michael G Rankin on 5/1/2015 (MFR). (Entered: 04/29/2015)

April 29, 2015

April 29, 2015

PACER
14

RESPONSE in Opposition re: 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction Opposition to Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by Paul Cunningham, Richard Fimbres, Steve Kozachik, Roger Randolph, Regina Romero, Jonathan Rothschild, Shirley Scott, Tucson, City of, Karin Uhlich. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Declaration of Roger W. Randolph)(Brown, Richard) (Entered: 04/29/2015)

1 Exhibit Declaration of Roger W. Randolph

View on PACER

April 29, 2015

April 29, 2015

Clearinghouse
15

NOTICE of Errata re: 13 Answer to Complaint, 14 Response in Opposition to Motion Notice of Errata by Defendants Paul Cunningham, Richard Fimbres, Steve Kozachik, Roger Randolph, Regina Romero, Jonathan Rothschild, Shirley Scott, Tucson, City of, Karin Uhlich.. (Rollman, Richard) (Entered: 04/29/2015)

April 29, 2015

April 29, 2015

RECAP
16

SUPPLEMENT Supplemental Citation of Authority re: 14 Response in Opposition to Motion by Defendants Paul Cunningham, Richard Fimbres, Steve Kozachik, Roger Randolph, Regina Romero, Jonathan Rothschild, Shirley Scott, Tucson, City of, Karin Uhlich. (Brown, Richard) (Entered: 05/05/2015)

May 5, 2015

May 5, 2015

RECAP
17

REPLY to Response to Motion re: 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Ken Smalley. (Langhofer, Kory) (Entered: 05/05/2015)

May 5, 2015

May 5, 2015

Clearinghouse
18

NOTICE re: Notice Re May 8, 2015 Hearing by Richard Fimbres, Steve Kozachik, Roger Randolph, Regina Romero, Jonathan Rothschild, Shirley Scott, Tucson, City of, Karin Uhlich . (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1)(Brown, Richard) (Entered: 05/06/2015)

May 6, 2015

May 6, 2015

PACER
19

NOTICE re: Notice of Hearing Witnesses and Supplemental Authority by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Ken Smalley re: 12 Order, Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings, Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings . (Langhofer, Kory) (Entered: 05/06/2015)

May 6, 2015

May 6, 2015

PACER
20

NOTICE re: Notice of Firm Name Change and Email Address Change by Paul Cunningham, Richard Fimbres, Steve Kozachik, Roger Randolph, Regina Romero, Jonathan Rothschild, Shirley Scott, Tucson, City of, Karin Uhlich . (Brown, Richard) (Entered: 05/08/2015)

May 8, 2015

May 8, 2015

PACER
21

MINUTE ENTRY for Preliminary Injunction Hearing proceedings held before Judge Cindy K Jorgenson on 5/8/2015. The Court takes under advisement 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. (Court Reporter Cheryl Cummings.) Hearing held 9:04 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. (JTA) (Entered: 05/11/2015)

May 8, 2015

May 8, 2015

PACER
22

ORDER: IT IS ORDERED the 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction is DENIED. Plaintiffs' claim of a dilution of the right to vote as stated in Count II is DISMISSED. Judgment is awarded in favor of Defendants and against Plaintiffs as to Plaintiffs' claim of a denial of the right to vote under the Due Process Clause of the US Constitution (Count I), the Privileges and Immunities Clause of the Arizona Constitution (Count III), and the Free and Equal Elections Clause of the Arizona Constitution (Count IV). The Clerk of Court shall enter judgment and close its file in this matter. Signed by Judge Cindy K Jorgenson on 5/20/15.(BAC) (Entered: 05/20/2015)

May 20, 2015

May 20, 2015

Clearinghouse
23

CLERK'S JUDGMENT: IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that, Judgment is awarded in favor of Defendants and against Plaintiffs as to Plaintiffs' claim of a denial of the right to vote under the Due Process Clause of the US Constitution (Count I), the Privileges and Immunities Clause of the Arizona Constitution (Count III), and the Free and Equal Elections Clause of the Arizona Constitution (Count IV). Per the Court's order filed on 5/20/15, Judgment is entered, and this case is closed.(BAC) (Entered: 05/20/2015)

May 20, 2015

May 20, 2015

PACER
24

NOTICE OF APPEAL to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals re: 23 Clerks Judgment, 22 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Ken Smalley. Filing fee received: $ 505.00, receipt number 0970-11760994. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Langhofer, Kory) (Entered: 06/05/2015)

1 Exhibit A

View on PACER

June 5, 2015

June 5, 2015

RECAP
25

REPRESENTATION STATEMENT by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Ken Smalley re: 24 Notice of Appeal. (Langhofer, Kory) (Entered: 06/05/2015)

June 5, 2015

June 5, 2015

PACER
26

USCA Case Number re: 24 Notice of Appeal. Case number 15-16142, 9th CCA. (BAC) (Entered: 06/09/2015)

June 8, 2015

June 8, 2015

PACER
27

TIME SCHEDULE ORDER of USCA re: 24 Notice of Appeal filed by Ken Smalley, Ann Holden, Fernando Gonzales, Bruce Ash, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Lori Oien. (BAC) (Entered: 06/09/2015)

June 8, 2015

June 8, 2015

PACER
28

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated for proceedings held on May 8, 2015, Judge Cindy K Jorgenson hearing judge(s). (Langhofer, Kory) (Entered: 06/10/2015)

June 10, 2015

June 10, 2015

PACER
29

ORDER of USCA re: 24 Notice of Appeal. The unopposed motion to expedite the briefing and calendaring of this appeal is granted. The opening brief is due July 6, 2015. (KAH) (Entered: 06/19/2015)

June 19, 2015

June 19, 2015

PACER
30

TRANSCRIPT of MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND TRIAL for the date of 05/08/2015 before Judge Cindy K Jorgenson re: 24 Notice of Appeal. Court Reporter Cheryl L Cummings. The ordering party will have electronic access to the transcript immediately. All others may view the transcript at the court public terminal or it may be purchased through the Court Reporter by filing a Transcript Order Form on the docket before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Redaction Request due 7/16/2015. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 7/27/2015. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 9/23/2015. (SGG) (Entered: 06/25/2015)

June 25, 2015

June 25, 2015

RECAP
31

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST Motion for Preliminary Injunction (entire hearing) by Tucson, City of for proceedings held on May 8, 2015, Judge Cindy K Jorgenson hearing judge(s). (Avery, Christopher) (Entered: 07/08/2015)

July 8, 2015

July 8, 2015

PACER
32

NOTICE OF ATTORNEY'S CHANGE OF ADDRESS/FIRM NAME by Kory A Langhofer. (Langhofer, Kory) (Entered: 10/02/2015)

Oct. 2, 2015

Oct. 2, 2015

PACER
33

BILL OF COSTS by Bruce Ash, Fernando Gonzales, Ann Holden, Lori Oien, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Ken Smalley. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Thomas Basile, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2, # 4 Exhibit 3)(Langhofer, Kory) (Entered: 11/24/2015)

Nov. 24, 2015

Nov. 24, 2015

PACER
34

MANDATE of USCA re: 24 Notice of Appeal filed by Ken Smalley, Ann Holden, Fernando Gonzales, Bruce Ash, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Lori Oien. The unopposed motion to dismiss Lori Oien as a party is GRANTED. This order constitutes the mandate of the court as to Appellant Lori Oien. (Attachments: # 1 NDA)(BAC) (Entered: 04/04/2016)

April 4, 2016

April 4, 2016

PACER
35

ORDER of USCA re: 24 Notice of Appeal filed by Ken Smalley, Ann Holden, Fernando Gonzales, Bruce Ash, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Lori Oien. It is ordered that this case be reheard en banc. (See attached PDF for complete information).(BAC) (Entered: 05/06/2016)

April 27, 2016

April 27, 2016

PACER
36

ORDER of USCA re: 24 Notice of Appeal filed by Ken Smalley, Ann Holden, Fernando Gonzales, Bruce Ash, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Lori Oien. En banc oral argument will take place during the week of 6/20/16, in San Francisco, California. The date and time will be determined by separate order. (See attached PDF for complete information).(BAC) (Entered: 05/06/2016)

April 27, 2016

April 27, 2016

PACER
37

MANDATE of USCA re: 24 Notice of Appeal filed by Ken Smalley, Ann Holden, Fernando Gonzales, Bruce Ash, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Lori Oien. AFFIRMED. (Attachments: # 1 Opinion, # 2 NDA)(BAC) (Entered: 10/03/2016)

Sept. 27, 2016

Sept. 27, 2016

PACER
38

Taxation Judgment. An en banc Mandate of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit was filed on September 27, 2016, and affirmed the District Courts Judgment. The matter has been reviewed and all costs are denied as plaintiff is not the prevailing party. (CSL) (Entered: 10/18/2016)

Oct. 18, 2016

Oct. 18, 2016

PACER
39

ORDER of USCA re: 24 Notice of Appeal filed by Ken Smalley, Ann Holden, Fernando Gonzales, Bruce Ash, Public Integrity Alliance Incorporated, Lori Oien. Petition for writ of certiorari in the above entitled case was filed on 11/30/16.(BAC) (Entered: 12/13/2016)

Dec. 9, 2016

Dec. 9, 2016

PACER
40

APPEAL DOCUMENT re: 24 Notice of Appeal. Petition for a writ of certiorari is denied.(BAC) (Entered: 03/24/2017)

March 23, 2017

March 23, 2017

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Arizona

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 6, 2015

Closing Date: March 20, 2017

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Arizona non-profit Public Integrity Alliance and five Tucson voters

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City of Tucson (Tucson, Pima), City

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

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