Case: Rodriguez v. The City of Grand Prairie

3:15-cv-00718 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Filed Date: March 4, 2015

Closed Date: July 21, 2015

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about election management in Grand Prairie, Texas. On March 4, 2015, the plaintiff, a Latino voter residing in Grand Prairie, Texas, filed a complaint the United States District Court for the District of North Texas against defendants The City of Grand Prairie, the city’s mayor, and all members of its city council. The plaintiff, represented by private counsel, alleged that Grand Prairie’s system for electing its 8-member city council—(1) six single-member districts and two at-la…

This is a case about election management in Grand Prairie, Texas.

On March 4, 2015, the plaintiff, a Latino voter residing in Grand Prairie, Texas, filed a complaint the United States District Court for the District of North Texas against defendants The City of Grand Prairie, the city’s mayor, and all members of its city council. The plaintiff, represented by private counsel, alleged that Grand Prairie’s system for electing its 8-member city council—(1) six single-member districts and two at-large districts (2) with staggered elections by (3) a majority vote—improperly diluted votes of Latinos in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, 52 U.S.C. § 10301. The plaintiff sought a declaration the system violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, an injunction prohibiting elections under the system, and attorneys fees and costs.

The same day, plaintiff filed a motion for permanent relief. 

On July 14, 2015, the parties reached a settlement whereby the City of Grand Prairie would redraw the single-member district boundaries and pay $75,000 in attorneys’ fees. On July 21, 2015, United States District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater granted the parties’ joint motion and dismissed the case without prejudice.

The case is now closed. 

Summary Authors

James Brennan (12/31/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13184290/parties/rodriguez-v-the-city-of-grand-prairie/


Judge(s)

Fitzwater, Sidney Allen (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brassfield, Gregory Alan (Texas)

Brewer, William A (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Alcorn, Stephen (Texas)

Heath, C Robert (Texas)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

3:15-cv-00718

Complaint Seeking Declaratory and Permanent Injunctive Relief Concerning Violations of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act

March 4, 2015

March 4, 2015

Complaint

2015 WL 1061647

Resolution approving the settlement of litigation styled Victor Rodriguez v. The City of Grand Prairie, et al., No. 3:15-CV-0718-D, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

No Court

July 14, 2015

July 14, 2015

Statute/Ordinance/Regulation

Ordinance amending the boundaries of city council districts

No Court

July 14, 2015

July 14, 2015

Statute/Ordinance/Regulation
28

3:15-cv-00718

Agreed Motion to Dismiss Without Prejudice

July 21, 2015

July 21, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief
29

3:15-cv-00718

Agreed Order Granting Motion to Dismiss Without Prejudice

July 21, 2015

July 21, 2015

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13184290/rodriguez-v-the-city-of-grand-prairie/

Last updated Aug. 8, 2025, 7:03 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by Victor Rodriguez. (Filing fee $400; Receipt number 0539-6638652) Clerk to issue summons(es). In each Notice of Electronic Filing, the judge assignment is indicated, and a link to the Judges Copy Requirements is provided. The court reminds the filer that any required copy of this and future documents must be delivered to the judge, in the manner prescribed, within three business days of filing. Unless exempted, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas must seek admission promptly. Forms, instructions, and exemption information may be found at www.txnd.uscourts.gov, or by clicking here: Attorney Information - Bar Membership. If admission requirements are not satisfied within 21 days, the clerk will notify the presiding judge. (Attachments: # 1 Cover Sheet Cover) (Brassfield, Gregory) (Entered: 03/04/2015)

1 Cover Sheet Cover

View on PACER

March 4, 2015

March 4, 2015

Clearinghouse
2

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Victor Rodriguez. (Brassfield, Gregory) (Entered: 03/04/2015)

March 4, 2015

March 4, 2015

PACER
3

MOTION for Permanent Injunctive Relief filed by Victor Rodriguez (see document 1 for image). (jrr) Terminated motion per chambers. (bdb) (Entered: 03/04/2015)

March 4, 2015

March 4, 2015

PACER
4

New Case Notes: A filing fee has been paid. File to Judge Lynn. Pursuant to Misc. Order 6, Plaintiff is provided the Notice of Right to Consent to Proceed Before A U.S. Magistrate Judge (Judge Horan). Clerk to provide copy to plaintiff if not received electronically. (jrr) (Entered: 03/04/2015)

March 4, 2015

March 4, 2015

PACER
5

Summons Issued as to All Defendants. (jrr) (Entered: 03/04/2015)

March 4, 2015

March 4, 2015

PACER
6

Court Request for Recusal: Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn recused. Pursuant to instruction in Special Order 3-249, the Clerk has reassigned the case to Judge Sidney A Fitzwater for all further proceedings. Future filings should indicate the case number as: 3:15-cv-0718-D. (gr) (Entered: 03/06/2015)

March 5, 2015

March 5, 2015

PACER
7

Summons Reissued as to Jeff Wooldridge per attorney request due to the misspelling of name. (jrr) (Entered: 03/06/2015)

March 6, 2015

March 6, 2015

PACER
8

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Lila Thorn; served on 3/5/2015. (bdb) (Entered: 03/09/2015)

March 9, 2015

March 9, 2015

PACER
9

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Jim Swafford; served on 3/5/2015. (bdb) (Entered: 03/09/2015)

March 9, 2015

March 9, 2015

PACER
10

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Jorja Clemson; served on 3/5/2015. (bdb) (Entered: 03/09/2015)

March 9, 2015

March 9, 2015

PACER
11

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Richard Fregoe; served on 3/6/2015. (bdb) (Entered: 03/10/2015)

March 10, 2015

March 10, 2015

PACER
12

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Greg Giessner; served on 3/6/2015. (bdb) (Entered: 03/10/2015)

March 10, 2015

March 10, 2015

PACER
13

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Ron Jensen; served on 3/6/2015. (bdb) (Entered: 03/10/2015)

March 10, 2015

March 10, 2015

PACER
14

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to The City of Grand Prairie; served on 3/6/2015. (bdb) (Entered: 03/10/2015)

March 10, 2015

March 10, 2015

PACER
15

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Jeff Wooldridge; served on 3/6/2015. (bdb) (Entered: 03/10/2015)

March 10, 2015

March 10, 2015

PACER
16

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Jeff Copeland; served on 3/6/2015. (bdb) (Entered: 03/10/2015)

March 10, 2015

March 10, 2015

PACER
17

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Tony Shotwell; served on 3/6/2015. (bdb) (Entered: 03/12/2015)

March 12, 2015

March 12, 2015

PACER
18

ANSWER to 1 Complaint,,,, filed by Jorja Clemson, Jeff Copeland, Richard Fregoe, Greg Giessner, Ron Jensen, Tony Shotwell, Jim Swafford, The City of Grand Prairie, Lila Thorn, Jeff Wooldridge. Unless exempted, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas must seek admission promptly. Forms and Instructions found at www.txnd.uscourts.gov, or by clicking here: Attorney Information - Bar Membership. If admission requirements are not satisfied within 21 days, the clerk will notify the presiding judge. (Heath, C) (Entered: 03/25/2015)

March 25, 2015

March 25, 2015

RECAP
19

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Jorja Clemson, Jeff Copeland, Richard Fregoe, Greg Giessner, Ron Jensen, Tony Shotwell, Jim Swafford, The City of Grand Prairie, Lila Thorn, Jeff Wooldridge. (Heath, C) (Entered: 03/25/2015)

March 25, 2015

March 25, 2015

PACER
20

Order for Scheduling Order Proposal: Scheduling Proposal due by 4/27/2015. (Ordered by Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 3/27/2015) (chmb) (Entered: 03/27/2015)

March 27, 2015

March 27, 2015

PACER

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No:20. Mon Mar 30 08:22:44 CDT 2015 (crt)

March 30, 2015

March 30, 2015

PACER
21

Proposal for contents of scheduling and discovery order by Jorja Clemson, Jeff Copeland, Richard Fregoe, Greg Giessner, Ron Jensen, Victor Rodriguez, Tony Shotwell, Jim Swafford, The City of Grand Prairie, Lila Thorn, Jeff Wooldridge. (Brassfield, Gregory) (Entered: 04/27/2015)

April 27, 2015

April 27, 2015

PACER
22

RESPONSE filed by Jorja Clemson, Jeff Copeland, Richard Fregoe, Greg Giessner, Ron Jensen, Tony Shotwell, Jim Swafford, The City of Grand Prairie, Lila Thorn, Jeff Wooldridge re: 21 Proposed Scheduling and Discovery Order, (Heath, C) (Entered: 04/27/2015)

April 27, 2015

April 27, 2015

PACER
23

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Gunnar P Seaquist on behalf of Jorja Clemson, Jeff Copeland, Richard Fregoe, Greg Giessner, Ron Jensen, Tony Shotwell, Jim Swafford, The City of Grand Prairie, Lila Thorn, Jeff Wooldridge. (Filer confirms contact info in ECF is current.) (Seaquist, Gunnar) (Entered: 05/04/2015)

May 4, 2015

May 4, 2015

PACER
24

SCHEDULING ORDER: Amended Pleadings due by 7/31/2015. Discovery due by 9/1/2015. Joinder of Parties due by 7/31/2015. Dispositive Motions due by 9/1/2015. Status Report due by 9/1/2015. The court will set the case for trial by separate order. (Ordered by Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 5/7/2015) (chmb) (Entered: 05/07/2015)

May 7, 2015

May 7, 2015

PACER

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No:24. Thu May 7 17:32:59 CDT 2015 (crt)

May 7, 2015

May 7, 2015

PACER
25

NOTICE of Change of Address for Attorney Jack GB Ternan on behalf of Victor Rodriguez. (Filer will update contact info in ECF.) (Ternan, Jack) (Entered: 06/30/2015)

June 30, 2015

June 30, 2015

PACER
26

Agreed MOTION to Continue to Alter Scheduling Order filed by Victor Rodriguez (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order) (Ternan, Jack) (Entered: 07/01/2015)

July 1, 2015

July 1, 2015

PACER
27

ORDER GRANTING 26 AGREED MOTION TO ALTER SCHEDULING ORDER: Plaintiff's deadline to produce expert reports is extended from 7/1/2015 to 7/2015. Defendants' deadline to produce expert reports is extended from 8/1/2015 to 8/21/2015. It is ORDERED that the other deadlines contained in the 5/7/2015 Scheduling Order remain unaltered. (Ordered by Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 7/2/2015) (ykp) (Entered: 07/02/2015)

July 2, 2015

July 2, 2015

PACER

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No:27. Thu Jul 2 15:21:03 CDT 2015 (crt)

July 2, 2015

July 2, 2015

PACER
28

Agreed MOTION to Dismiss filed by Jorja Clemson, Jeff Copeland, Richard Fregoe, Greg Giessner, Ron Jensen, Victor Rodriguez, Tony Shotwell, Jim Swafford, The City of Grand Prairie, Lila Thorn, Jeff Wooldridge (Brassfield, Gregory) (Entered: 07/21/2015)

July 21, 2015

July 21, 2015

Clearinghouse
29

ORDER granting 28 Motion to Dismiss without prejudice. (Ordered by Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 7/21/2015) (axm) (Entered: 07/22/2015)

July 21, 2015

July 21, 2015

Clearinghouse

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No:29. Wed Jul 22 08:22:33 CDT 2015 (crt)

July 22, 2015

July 22, 2015

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Texas

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 4, 2015

Closing Date: July 21, 2015

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Latino voter in Grand Prairie, Texas

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City of Grand Prairie (Dallas), City

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Voting Rights Act, section 2, 52 U.S.C. § 10301 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1973)

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Attorneys fees

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Conditional Dismissal

Content of Injunction:

Redistricting

Amount Defendant Pays: $75,000

Issues

Voting:

Redistricting/district composition

Vote dilution