Case: Simon v. DeWine

4:22-cv-00612 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

Filed Date: April 15, 2022

Closed Date: Oct. 12, 2023

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.) This lawsuit, originally filed in 2022, alleged that Ohio's congressional districts intentionally diluted Black voting power in contravention of the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act.  

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63241711/parties/simon-v-dewine/


Judge(s)

Adams, John R. (Ohio)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

Anderson, Garrett M. (Ohio)

Clark, Erik J. (Ohio)

Daniel, Allison D. (Ohio)

Lee, Bryan B. (Ohio)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
4

4:22-cv-00612

Simon Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and Partial Summary Judgment, and Immediate Appointment of Special Master

April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief
2

4:22-cv-00612

Motion of Plaintiffs Reverend Kenneth L Simon, Reverend Lewis Mackin and Helen Youngblood for a Three Judge Court

April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief
1

4:22-cv-00612

Complaint

April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022

Complaint
3

4:22-cv-00612

Motion for Class Certification by Proposed Class Representatives Reverend Kenneth L. Simon, Lewis Macklin and Helen Youngblood

April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief
15

4:22-cv-00612

Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim

Simon v. DeWine (4:22-cv-00612)

May 4, 2022

May 4, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief
18

4:22-cv-00612

Motion to Dismiss

Simon v. DeWine (4:22-cv-00612)

May 11, 2022

May 11, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief
27

4:22-cv-00612

Report and recommendation to grant motion to dismiss

Simon v. DeWine (4:22-cv-00612)

Sept. 12, 2023

Sept. 12, 2023

Magistrate Report/Recommendation
33

4:22-cv-00612

Order

Oct. 12, 2023

Oct. 12, 2023

Order/Opinion

2023 WL 6631547

39

4:22-cv-00612

Simon Plaintiffs' Renewed Motions for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and Partial Summary Judgment

May 7, 2024

May 7, 2024

Pleading / Motion / Brief
40

4:22-cv-00612

Order

May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63241711/simon-v-dewine/

Last updated Aug. 15, 2025, 10:47 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Complaint against All Defendants. Filing fee paid $ 402, Receipt number AOHNDC-11375206. Plaintiff has indicated that case may be related to terminated civil action 2:21-cv-2267. Filed by Helen Youngblood, Lewis Macklin, Kenneth L. Simon. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit A- 8/23/21 Hearing, # 3 Exhibit B- march 2 Plan, # 4 Exhibit C -DiRossi Transcript, # 5 Exhibit D -Proposed District, # 6 Summons Cupp, # 7 Summons DeWine, # 8 Summons Faber, # 9 Summons Huffman, # 10 Summons LaRose, # 11 Summons ORC) (Squire, Percy) (Entered: 04/15/2022)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Exhibit A- 8/23/21 Hearing

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3 Exhibit B- march 2 Plan

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4 Exhibit C -DiRossi Transcript

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5 Exhibit D -Proposed District

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6 Summons Cupp

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7 Summons DeWine

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8 Summons Faber

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9 Summons Huffman

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10 Summons LaRose

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11 Summons ORC

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April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022

Clearinghouse
2

Motion for a Three Judge Court filed by Lewis Macklin, Kenneth L. Simon, Helen Youngblood. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Squire, Percy) (Entered: 04/15/2022)

1 Proposed Order

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April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022

Clearinghouse
3

Motion for class certification filed by Lewis Macklin, Kenneth L. Simon, Helen Youngblood. (Squire, Percy) (Entered: 04/15/2022)

April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022

Clearinghouse
4

Motion for temporary restraining order Preliminary Injunction And Partial Summary Judgment, And Immediate Appointment Of A Special Master filed by Lewis Macklin, Kenneth L. Simon, Helen Youngblood. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A-March 2 Plan, # 2 Exhibit B-Armour Opinion, # 3 Exhibit C-DiRossi Trans, # 4 Exhibit D-LLT, # 5 Exhibit E-Proposed Plan, # 6 Exhibit F-9/15 Trans., # 7 Proposed Order, # 8 Supplement Notice, # 9 Supplement Bond)(Squire, Percy) (Entered: 04/15/2022)

1 Exhibit A-March 2 Plan

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2 Exhibit B-Armour Opinion

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3 Exhibit C-DiRossi Trans

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4 Exhibit D-LLT

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5 Exhibit E-Proposed Plan

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6 Exhibit F-9/15 Trans.

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7 Proposed Order

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8 Supplement Notice

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9 Supplement Bond

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April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022

Clearinghouse

Judge Benita Y. Pearson assigned to case. (D,Ju)

April 18, 2022

April 18, 2022

PACER

Random Assignment of Magistrate Judge pursuant to Local Rule 3.1. In the event of a referral, case will be assigned to Magistrate Judge Amanda M. Knapp. (D,Ju)

April 18, 2022

April 18, 2022

PACER
5

Original Summons and Magistrate Consent Form issued to counsel for service upon Robert R. Cupp, Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Matt Huffman, Frank LaRose, Ohio Redistricting Commission. (Attachments: # 1 Magistrate Consent Form) (D,Ju) (Entered: 04/18/2022)

April 18, 2022

April 18, 2022

PACER
6

Order of Transfer of a Previously Filed Case This case is returned to the Clerk for reassignment to Judge John R. Adams for all further proceedings. Judge Benita Y. Pearson on 4/19/2022. (JLG) (Entered: 04/19/2022)

April 19, 2022

April 19, 2022

PACER

Judge John R. Adams assigned to case. Judge Benita Y. Pearson terminated. (D,Ju)

April 19, 2022

April 19, 2022

PACER
7

Attorney Appearance by Julie M. Pfeiffer filed by on behalf of Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Frank LaRose. (Pfeiffer, Julie) (Entered: 04/20/2022)

April 20, 2022

April 20, 2022

PACER
8

Attorney Appearance by Allison D. Daniel filed by on behalf of Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Frank LaRose. (Daniel, Allison) (Entered: 04/20/2022)

April 20, 2022

April 20, 2022

PACER
9

Attorney Appearance by Garrett M. Anderson filed by on behalf of Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Frank LaRose. (Anderson, Garrett) (Entered: 04/20/2022)

April 20, 2022

April 20, 2022

PACER
10

Attorney Appearance by Julie M. Pfeiffer filed by on behalf of Robert R. Cupp, Matt Huffman. (Pfeiffer, Julie) (Entered: 04/22/2022)

April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022

PACER
11

Attorney Appearance by Allison D. Daniel filed by on behalf of Robert R. Cupp, Matt Huffman. (Daniel, Allison) (Entered: 04/22/2022)

April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022

PACER
12

Attorney Appearance by Garrett M. Anderson filed by on behalf of Robert R. Cupp, Matt Huffman. (Anderson, Garrett) (Entered: 04/22/2022)

April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022

PACER
13

Return of Service by process server executed upon Mike DeWine on 4-20-22, Frank LaRose on 4-20-22, Ohio Redistricting Commission on 4-20-22, Robert R. Cupp on 4-20-22, Matt Huffman on 4-20-22 and Keith Faber on 4-20-22, filed on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Cupp Return, # 2 Supplement Faber Return, # 3 Supplement Huffman Return, # 4 Supplement LaRose Return, # 5 Supplement ORC Return)(Squire, Percy) Modified text on 4/27/2022 (M,TL). (Entered: 04/25/2022)

April 25, 2022

April 25, 2022

PACER
14

Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiff's 2 Motion for a Three Judge Court filed by Robert R. Cupp, Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Matt Huffman, Frank LaRose. (Pfeiffer, Julie) (Entered: 05/04/2022)

May 4, 2022

May 4, 2022

Clearinghouse
15

Motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim and Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, Partial Summary Judgment and Immediate Appointment of a Special Master filed by Robert R. Cupp, Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Matt Huffman, Frank LaRose. Related document(s) 4 . (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, Congressional Plan, 3/2/2022, # 2 Exhibit B, Directive 2022-27)(Pfeiffer, Julie) (Entered: 05/04/2022)

1 Exhibit A, Congressional Plan, 3/2/2022

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2 Exhibit B, Directive 2022-27

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May 4, 2022

May 4, 2022

Clearinghouse
16

Attorney Appearance by Erik J. Clark filed by on behalf of Ohio Redistricting Commission. (Clark, Erik) (Entered: 05/11/2022)

May 11, 2022

May 11, 2022

PACER
17

Attorney Appearance by Ashley T. Merino filed by on behalf of Ohio Redistricting Commission. (Merino, Ashley) (Entered: 05/11/2022)

May 11, 2022

May 11, 2022

PACER
18

Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Complaint and Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motions for Three-Judge Court, Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, Partial Summary Judgment, and Immediate Appointment of a Special Master filed by Defendant Ohio Redistricting Commission. Related documents 1, 2, 3 & 4 . (Clark, Erik) Modified text on 5/16/2022 (M,TL). (Entered: 05/11/2022)

May 11, 2022

May 11, 2022

Clearinghouse
19

Motion for extension of time until May 20, 2022 to file response/reply to 15 Motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim and Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, Partial Summary Judgment and Immediate Appointment of a Special Master filed by Lewis W. Macklin, II, Kenneth L. Simon, Helen Youngblood. Related document(s) 15 . (Squire, Percy) (Entered: 05/17/2022)

May 17, 2022

May 17, 2022

PACER
20

Opposition to 15 Motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim and Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, Partial Summary Judgment and Immediate Appointment of a Special Master, 18 Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Complaint filed by All Plaintiffs. (Squire, Percy) (Entered: 05/20/2022)

May 20, 2022

May 20, 2022

Clearinghouse
21

Response to 18 Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Complaint filed by All Plaintiffs. (Squire, Percy) (Entered: 05/24/2022)

May 24, 2022

May 24, 2022

PACER
22

Marginal Entry Order denying as moot 19 Plaintiffs' Motion for Extension of Time to oppose the motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs' opposition was timely filed before the 30-day response time for dispositive motions. Judge John R. Adams on 5/31/2022.(L,J) (Entered: 05/31/2022)

May 31, 2022

May 31, 2022

PACER
23

Reply in support of 15 Motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim filed by All Defendants. (Pfeiffer, Julie) (Entered: 06/03/2022)

June 3, 2022

June 3, 2022

PACER
24

Motion by Garrett M. Anderson to withdraw as attorney filed by Robert R. Cupp, Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Matt Huffman, Frank LaRose. (Anderson, Garrett) (Entered: 01/30/2023)

Jan. 30, 2023

Jan. 30, 2023

PACER
25

Order referring 15 Motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim filed by Matt Huffman, Frank LaRose, Keith Faber, Robert R. Cupp, Mike DeWine, and 18 Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Complaint filed by Ohio Redistricting Commission to Magistrate Judge Amanda M. Knapp for report and recommendation. Judge John R. Adams on 6/12/2023. (L,J) (Entered: 06/12/2023)

June 12, 2023

June 12, 2023

PACER
26

Marginal Entry Order granting Defendants' Motion to withdraw as attorney; attorney Garrett M. Anderson removed from case. (Related Doc # 24 ). Judge John R. Adams on 6/13/2023.(L,J) (Entered: 06/13/2023)

June 13, 2023

June 13, 2023

PACER
27

Report and Recommendation that the Court GRANT Defendants' motions to dismiss (ECF Doc. 15 ; ECF Doc. 18 ) because Plaintiffs have failed to state a claim for relief under § 2 of the Voting Rights Act or under the First, Fourteenth, or Fifteenth Amendments. Signed by Magistrate Judge Amanda M. Knapp on 9/12/2023. (S,S)

Sept. 12, 2023

Sept. 12, 2023

Clearinghouse
28

Motion to withdraw as attorney for defendants Allison D. Daniel. Attorney Julie Pfeiffer remains as lead and trial counsel) filed by Robert R. Cupp, Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Matt Huffman, Frank LaRose. (Pfeiffer, Julie) Modified text on 9/19/2023 (E,CK). (Entered: 09/18/2023)

Sept. 18, 2023

Sept. 18, 2023

PACER
29

Objection to Report and Recommendation filed by Lewis W. Macklin, II, Kenneth L. Simon, Helen Youngblood. Related document(s) 27 . (Squire, Percy) (Entered: 09/26/2023)

Sept. 26, 2023

Sept. 26, 2023

PACER
30

Attorney Appearance by Bryan B. Lee filed by on behalf of Robert R. Cupp, Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Matt Huffman, Frank LaRose. (Lee, Bryan) (Entered: 09/27/2023)

Sept. 27, 2023

Sept. 27, 2023

PACER
31

Amended Objections to September 12, 2023 Report and Recommendation filed by All Plaintiffs. Related document(s) 27, 29 . (Squire, Percy) (Entered: 09/27/2023)

Sept. 27, 2023

Sept. 27, 2023

PACER
32

Defendants' Response to Plaintiffs' Amended Objections to Magistrate's Report and Recommendation filed by Robert R. Cupp, Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Matt Huffman, Frank LaRose. Related document(s) 31 . (Pfeiffer, Julie) (Entered: 10/10/2023)

Oct. 10, 2023

Oct. 10, 2023

PACER
33

Order Adopting the Report and Recommendation of the Magistrate Judge in whole (re 27 ). Plaintiffs' motion to convene a three-judge panel (Doc. 2 ) is DENIED. Defendants' motions to dismiss (Docs. 15 and 18 ) are GRANTED. Plaintiffs' motions for a temporary restraining order (Doc. 4 ) and for class certification (Doc. 3 ) are DENIED. This matter is DISMISSED. Judge John R. Adams on 10/12/23. (K,C)

Oct. 12, 2023

Oct. 12, 2023

Clearinghouse
34

Judgment Entry that Defendants' motions to dismiss (Docs. 15 and 18 ) are GRANTED. This matter is DISMISSED. Judge John R. Adams on 10/12/23. (K,C) (Entered: 10/12/2023)

Oct. 12, 2023

Oct. 12, 2023

PACER
35

NOTICE OF APPEAL to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals from the 27 Report and Recommendation of 9/12/23, 33 Order and 34 Judgment Entry of 10/12/23, filed by Lewis W. Macklin, II, Kenneth L. Simon, Helen Youngblood. (Filing fee $505, receipt number AOHNDC-12268128) (Squire, Percy) (Entered: 11/08/2023)

Nov. 8, 2023

Nov. 8, 2023

PACER

Acknowledgment from the USCA for Sixth Circuit of receipt of 35 Notice of Appeal (USCA# 23-3910). Date filed in USCA 11/9/23. (H,SP)

Nov. 9, 2023

Nov. 9, 2023

PACER
36

Information Copy of opinion from USCA for the Sixth Circuit: Reversing the district court's order denying the motion for a three-judge court, Vacating the district court's orders granting the motions to dismiss and denying the motion for temporary restraining order and motion for class certification, and Remanding the case to the district court with instructions for it immediately to initiate the procedures to convene a three-judge court under 28 U.S.C. § 2284, re 35 Notice of Appeal (USCA# 23-3910). This is not a mandate order. Circuit Judges: Batchelder, Moore, and Kethledge. Date issued by USCA 4/9/24. (Attachments: # 1 Judgment) (F,AW) (Entered: 04/09/2024)

April 9, 2024

April 9, 2024

PACER
37

Order from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals: Chief Judge Sutton designates the Honorable Joan L. Larsen, Circuit Judge of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Honorable Solomon Oliver, District Judge of the Northern District of Ohio, to serve with the Honorable John R. Adams in this matter. The provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 2284(b)(2) and (3) shall apply. This designation shall remain in full force and effect for the duration of the proceedings in Case No. 4:22cv612. Entered on the 23rd day of April, 2024 (H,SP) Modified on 4/26/2024 (S,G). (Entered: 04/25/2024)

April 25, 2024

April 25, 2024

PACER
38

True copy of mandate from the USCA for the Sixth Circuit: Reversing the district court's order denying the motion for a three-judge court, Vacating the district court's orders granting the motions to dismiss and denying the motion for temporary restraining order and motion for class certification, and Remanding the case to the district court with instructions for it immediately to initiate the procedures to convene a three-judge court under 28 U.S.C. § 2284 re 35 Notice of Appeal (USCA# 23-3910). Date issued as mandate 5/1/24; Costs: None (H,SP) (Entered: 05/01/2024)

May 1, 2024

May 1, 2024

PACER
39

Motion for temporary restraining order RENEWED, Motion for preliminary injunction RENEWED, Motion for partial summary judgment RENEWED filed by Lewis W. Macklin, II, Kenneth L. Simon, Helen Youngblood. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A-ORC, # 2 Exhibit B-Redistricing Plan, # 3 Exhibit C-Armour, # 4 Exhibit D-Plaintiff Input, # 5 Exhibit E-DiRossi Trans., # 6 Exhibit F-Huffman Testimony, # 7 Supplement Notice, # 8 Supplement Bonf, # 9 Proposed Order)(Squire, Percy) (Entered: 05/07/2024)

1 Exhibit A-ORC

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2 Exhibit B-Redistricing Plan

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3 Exhibit C-Armour

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4 Exhibit D-Plaintiff Input

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5 Exhibit E-DiRossi Trans.

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6 Exhibit F-Huffman Testimony

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7 Supplement Notice

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8 Supplement Bonf

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9 Proposed Order

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May 7, 2024

May 7, 2024

Clearinghouse
40

Order

May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

Clearinghouse
45

Order

May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

Clearinghouse
48

Dismiss

May 17, 2024

May 17, 2024

PACER
51

Supplement

June 12, 2024

June 12, 2024

PACER
53

Order on Motion to supplement

July 1, 2024

July 1, 2024

PACER
54

Opinion and Order denying Plaintiffs' Renewed Motion for temporary restraining order, for preliminary injunction, and for partial summary judgment (Doc. # 39 ). Granting Defendants' Renewed and Combined Motion to dismiss (Doc. # 48 ). Judges John R. Adams, Solomon Oliver, Jr., and Joan L. Larsen on 7/1/24. (K,C)

July 1, 2024

July 1, 2024

Clearinghouse
55

Judgment

July 1, 2024

July 1, 2024

PACER
56

Alter/Amend judgment

July 5, 2024

July 5, 2024

PACER
59

Order denying Plaintiffs' Motion to alter/amend judgment (Related Doc # 56 ). Judge John R. Adams on 8/2/2024, Judge Solomon Oliver, Judge Joan L. Larsen(L,J) (Entered: 08/02/2024)

Aug. 2, 2024

Aug. 2, 2024

RECAP
60

Motion to alter or amend August 2, 2024 59 Order filed by Lewis W. Macklin, II, Kenneth L. Simon, Helen Youngblood. (Squire, Percy) Modified text on 8/6/2024 (B,DL). (Entered: 08/02/2024)

Aug. 2, 2024

Aug. 2, 2024

PACER
61

Opposition to 60 Motion to alter or amend August 2, 2024 59 Order filed by Robert R. Cupp, Mike DeWine, Keith Faber, Matt Huffman, Frank LaRose. (Pfeiffer, Julie) (Entered: 08/16/2024)

Aug. 16, 2024

Aug. 16, 2024

PACER
62

Marginal Entry Order denying Plaintiffs' Motion to alter/amend judgment (Related Doc # 60 ). Judge John R. Adams, Judge Solomon Oliver, and Judge Joan L. Larsen on 9/20/2024.(L,J) (Entered: 09/20/2024)

Sept. 20, 2024

Sept. 20, 2024

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Ohio

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 15, 2022

Closing Date: Oct. 12, 2023