Case: Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP v. Galveston County

3:22-cv-00117 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Filed Date: April 14, 2022

Closed Date: June 1, 2022

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about alleged racial gerrymandering in the state of Texas.  On April 14, 2022, the three county branches of the NAACP, the Mainland, Dickinson Bay Area, andGalveston branches, and the local Galveston-area council of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC Council 151) sued Galveston County, Texas, and several county officials challenging the maps adopted for county commissioner districts during the 2021 redistricting process. The complaint included three counts and al…

This is a case about alleged racial gerrymandering in the state of Texas. 

On April 14, 2022, the three county branches of the NAACP, the Mainland, Dickinson Bay Area, and
Galveston branches, and the local Galveston-area council of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC Council 151) sued Galveston County, Texas, and several county officials challenging the maps adopted for county commissioner districts during the 2021 redistricting process. The complaint included three counts and alleged that county officials engaged in intentional racial discrimination in violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, racial gerrymandering in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and vote dilution in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The case was assigned to Magistrate Judge Andrew M Edison and Judge Jeffrey V Brown.

On June 1, 2022, the court consolidated two other cases challenging the 2021 redistricting process, Petteway v. Galveston County and United States of America v. Galveston County, Texas., with this case and designating Petteway as the lead case. See the summary for the Petteway case for a more thorough discussion of the redistricting process, arguments in the case, and updates since the consolidation.

Summary Authors

LFAA (11/14/2024)

Related Cases

Petteway v. Galveston County, Southern District of Texas (2022)

United States of America v. Galveston County, Texas, Southern District of Texas (2022)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63237494/parties/dickinson-bay-area-branch-naacp-v-galveston-county-do-not-docket-in-this/

Documents in the Clearinghouse
1

3:22-cv-00117

Complaint

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

Complaint
38

3:22-cv-00117

Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint

May 25, 2022

May 25, 2022

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63237494/dickinson-bay-area-branch-naacp-v-galveston-county-do-not-docket-in-this/

Last updated June 28, 2026, 5:15 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 April 14, 2022

COMPLAINT against All Defendants (Filing fee $ 402 receipt number ATXSDC-28030978) filed by GALVESTON LULAC COUNCIL 151, DICKINSON BAY AREA BRANCH NAACP, MAINLAND BRANCH NAACP, GALVESTON BRANCH NAACP. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/14/2022)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Clearinghouse
2 April 14, 2022

Request for Issuance of Summons as to All Plaintiffs, filed.(Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/14/2022)

RECAP
3 April 15, 2022

ORDER for Initial Pretrial and Scheduling Conference and Order to Disclose Interested Persons. Initial Conference set for 8/10/2022 at 09:00 AM in by video before Magistrate Judge Andrew M Edison(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(VanesaAranda, 3) (Entered: 04/15/2022)

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4 April 15, 2022

Summons Issued as to All Defendants. Issued summons delivered to plaintiff by NEF, filed.(VanesaAranda, 3) (Entered: 04/15/2022)

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5 April 15, 2022

MOTION for Hilary Harris Klein to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/6/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/15/2022)

RECAP
6 April 18, 2022

MOTION for Sarah Xiyi Chen to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/9/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/18/2022)

RECAP
7 April 18, 2022

MOTION for Joaquin Gonzalez to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/9/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/18/2022)

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8 April 19, 2022

ORDER granting 5 Motion for Hilary Harris Klein to Appear Pro Hac Vice.(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(GeorgeCardenas, 4) (Entered: 04/19/2022)

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9 April 19, 2022

ORDER granting 6 Motion for Sarah Xiyi Chen to Appear Pro Hac Vice.(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(GeorgeCardenas, 4) (Entered: 04/19/2022)

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10 April 19, 2022

ORDER granting 7 Motion for Joaquin Gonzalez to Appear Pro Hac Vice.(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(GeorgeCardenas, 4) (Entered: 04/19/2022)

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11 April 19, 2022

MOTION for Kathryn Carr Garrett to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/10/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/19/2022)

RECAP
12 April 19, 2022

MOTION for Richard Mancino to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/10/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/19/2022)

RECAP
13 April 19, 2022

MOTION for Michelle Polizzano to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/10/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/19/2022)

RECAP
14 April 19, 2022

MOTION for Andrew Silberstein to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/10/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/19/2022)

RECAP
15 April 19, 2022

MOTION for JoAnna Suriani to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/10/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/19/2022)

RECAP
16 April 19, 2022

MOTION for Molly Linda Zhu to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/10/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/19/2022)

RECAP
17 April 25, 2022

MOTION for Kathryn Carr Garrett to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/16/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/25/2022)

RECAP
18 April 25, 2022

MOTION for Richard Mancino to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/16/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/25/2022)

RECAP
19 April 25, 2022

MOTION for Michelle Polizzano to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/16/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/25/2022)

RECAP
20 April 25, 2022

MOTION for Andrew Silberstein to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/16/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/25/2022)

RECAP
21 April 25, 2022

MOTION for JoAnna Suriani to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/16/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/25/2022)

RECAP
22 April 25, 2022

MOTION for Molly Linda Zhu to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/16/2022. (Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/25/2022)

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23 April 26, 2022

ORDER granting 17 Motion for Kathryn Carr Garrett to Appear Pro Hac Vice.(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(GeorgeCardenas, 4) (Entered: 04/26/2022)

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24 April 26, 2022

ORDER granting 18 Motion for Richard Mancino to Appear Pro Hac Vice.(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(GeorgeCardenas, 4) (Entered: 04/26/2022)

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25 April 26, 2022

ORDER granting 19 Motion for Michelle Anne Polizzano to Appear Pro Hac Vice.(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(GeorgeCardenas, 4) (Entered: 04/26/2022)

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26 April 26, 2022

ORDER granting 20 Motion for Andrew Silberstein to Appear Pro Hac Vice.(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(GeorgeCardenas, 4) (Entered: 04/26/2022)

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27 April 26, 2022

ORDER granting 21 Motion for JoAnna Suriani to Appear Pro Hac Vice.(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(GeorgeCardenas, 4) (Entered: 04/26/2022)

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28 April 26, 2022

ORDER granting 22 Motion for Molly Linda Zhu to Appear Pro Hac Vice.(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(GeorgeCardenas, 4) (Entered: 04/26/2022)

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29 April 29, 2022

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES by Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed.(Mirza, Hani) (Entered: 04/29/2022)

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30 May 10, 2022

NOTICE of Appearance by Dallin B. Holt on behalf of Galveston County, Mark Henry, Dwight D. Sullivan, filed. (Holt, Dallin) (Entered: 05/10/2022)

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31 May 11, 2022

MOTION for Jason B. Torchinsky to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Galveston County, Mark Henry, Dwight D. Sullivan, filed. Motion Docket Date 6/1/2022. (Holt, Dallin) (Entered: 05/11/2022)

RECAP
32 May 11, 2022

MOTION for Shawn T. Sheehy to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Galveston County, Mark Henry, Dwight D. Sullivan, filed. Motion Docket Date 6/1/2022. (Holt, Dallin) (Entered: 05/11/2022)

RECAP
33 May 17, 2022

Opposed MOTION to Stay by Galveston County, Mark Henry, Dwight D. Sullivan, filed. Motion Docket Date 6/7/2022. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Holt, Dallin) (Entered: 05/17/2022)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

RECAP
34 May 18, 2022

DESIGNATION of Sarah Xiyi Chen as attorney in charge of Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Mainland Branch NAACP, filed.(Chen, Sarah) (Entered: 05/18/2022)

RECAP
35 May 18, 2022

RETURN of Service of SUMMONS Executed as to All Defendants, filed. (Attachments: # 1 Executed Summons and cert of svc for County Judge, # 2 Executed Summons and cert of svc for County)(Chen, Sarah) (Entered: 05/18/2022)

1 Executed Summons and cert of svc for County Judge

View on PACER

2 Executed Summons and cert of svc for County

View on PACER

RECAP
36 May 24, 2022

ORDER denying 33 Motion to Stay.(Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(GeorgeCardenas, 4) (Entered: 05/24/2022)

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37 May 25, 2022

NOTICE of Appearance by Joseph R. Russo, Jr., Angie Olalde, Jordan Raschke on behalf of Galveston County, Mark Henry, Dwight D. Sullivan, filed. (Russo, Joseph) (Entered: 05/25/2022)

RECAP
38 May 25, 2022

First AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by Mainland Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston LULAC Council 151, Edna Courville, Joe A. Compian, Leon Phillips.(Chen, Sarah) (Entered: 05/25/2022)

Clearinghouse
39 June 1, 2022

ORDER TO CONSOLIDATE CASES: Lead Case No. 3:22-cv-57 and Member Case No. 3:22-cv-117 (Signed by Judge Jeffrey V Brown) Parties notified.(agould, 3) (Entered: 06/01/2022)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Texas

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 14, 2022

Closing Date: June 1, 2022

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Dickinson Bay Area Branch NAACP, Galveston Branch NAACP, Mainland Branch NAACP, and Galveston League of United Latin American Citizens (“LULAC”) Council 151

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

County

Galveston County

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)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process: Substantive Due Process

Equal Protection

Other Dockets:

Southern District of Texas 3:22-cv-00117

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):

Hispanic

Affected Race(s):

Black

Voting:

Challenges to at-large/multimember district/election

Redistricting/district composition

Vote dilution

Recommended Citation