Case: United States v. State of Oregon

6:25-cv-01666 | U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

Filed Date: Sept. 16, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In this case, the Trump administration challenged the State of Oregon’s alleged violation of federal voting laws. The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (DOJ) is tasked with ensuring that States conduct voter registration list maintenance “to prevent inclusion of ineligible voters on any State’s voter registration list.” On July 16, 2025, citing, among other things, a high ratio of registered voters to voting aged citizens in the State of Oregon and alleging lack of compliance by…

In this case, the Trump administration challenged the State of Oregon’s alleged violation of federal voting laws.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (DOJ) is tasked with ensuring that States conduct voter registration list maintenance “to prevent inclusion of ineligible voters on any State’s voter registration list.” On July 16, 2025, citing, among other things, a high ratio of registered voters to voting aged citizens in the State of Oregon and alleging lack of compliance by the State, DOJ requested details regarding the State of Oregon’s compliance with voting registration list maintenance processes and the lists themselves. In a response letter sent on August 21, Oregon’s Secretary of State, Tobias Read, allegedly refused to comply with all of DOJ’s demands.

On September 16, 2025 the United States (Plaintiff) brought this action against the State of Oregon to remedy the state's alleged violations of federal voting laws. The U.S. sought to compel the State of Oregon and its chief state election official, the Secretary of State, to provide information regarding the State of Oregon’s voter list maintenance procedures and an electronic copy of its statewide voter registration list; the federal government said this information was needed to assess Oregon’s compliance with the voter roll cleanup requirements of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The case was assigned to Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. 

On September 26, Our Oregon, and several individual voters filed a Motion to Intervene as Defendants. Our Oregon, an organization that “fights for economic and social fairness for all Oregonians” and the other intervenors, each “civically-engaged registered Oregon voter[s],” sought to intervene to preserve privacy rights of themselves and other Oregonians. 

With this motion still pending, the court granted government's motion to stay the case due to the government shutdown on October 2.

As of October 24, the case remains stayed.

Summary Authors

Claire Pollard (9/17/2025)

Madeline Kaplan (10/2/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71363789/parties/united-states-v-state-of-oregon/


Judge(s)

Kasubhai, Mustafa (Oregon)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

Castelli, Thomas H. (Oregon)

DeLuca, Dallas S. (Oregon)

Dodge, Christopher D. (Oregon)

Khanna, Abha (Oregon)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

6:25-cv-01666

Complaint

Sept. 16, 2025

Sept. 16, 2025

Complaint
12

6:25-cv-01666

Our Oregon, Dan Diiulio, Stephen Gomez, and Emma Craddock's Motion to Intervene as Defendants and Memorandum in Support

Sept. 26, 2025

Sept. 26, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71363789/united-states-v-state-of-oregon/

Last updated Nov. 6, 2025, 2:41 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Complaint. (fee exempt status selected) Jury Trial Requested: No. Filed by United States of America against All Defendants (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Attachment). (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/16/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

2 Attachment

View on RECAP

Sept. 16, 2025

Sept. 16, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

Notice of Case Assignment to Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai and Discovery and Pretrial Scheduling Order. NOTICE: Counsel shall print and serve the summonses and all documents issued by the Clerk at the time of filing upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5. Discovery is to be completed by 1/14/2026. Joint Alternate Dispute Resolution Report is due by 2/13/2026. Pretrial Order is due by 2/13/2026. Ordered by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. (jw) (Entered: 09/16/2025)

Sept. 16, 2025

Sept. 16, 2025

RECAP
3

Case Management Order signed on 09/17/2025 by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. (bd) (Entered: 09/17/2025)

Sept. 17, 2025

Sept. 17, 2025

RECAP
4

Amended Civil Cover Sheet regarding Complaint 1 . Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/18/2025)

Sept. 18, 2025

Sept. 18, 2025

5

Proposed Summons for Secretary of State Read Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

6

Proposed Summons for the State of Oregon Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

7

Amended Proposed Summons (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Summons) Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

8

Second Amended Proposed Summons (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Summons) Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/22/2025)

Sept. 22, 2025

Sept. 22, 2025

9

Summons Issued Electronically as to State of Oregon, Tobias Read. NOTICE: Counsel shall print and serve the summonses and all documents issued by the Clerk at the time of filing upon all named parties in accordance with Local Rule 3-5. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Tobias Read) (jw) (Entered: 09/22/2025)

Sept. 22, 2025

Sept. 22, 2025

10

Notice of Appearance of Thomas H. Castelli appearing on behalf of State of Oregon, Tobias Read. Filed by on behalf of State of Oregon, Tobias Read. (Castelli, Thomas) (Entered: 09/25/2025)

Sept. 25, 2025

Sept. 25, 2025

11

Notice of Appearance of Kate Elizabeth Morrow appearing on behalf of State of Oregon, Tobias Read. Filed by on behalf of State of Oregon, Tobias Read. (Morrow, Kate) (Entered: 09/25/2025)

Sept. 25, 2025

Sept. 25, 2025

12

Motion to Intervene . Harry B. Wilson,Dallas S. DeLuca for Our Oregon,Harry B. Wilson,Dallas S. DeLuca for Dan DiIulio,Harry B. Wilson,Dallas S. DeLuca for Emma Craddock,Harry B. Wilson,Dallas S. DeLuca for Stephen Gomez,Harry B. Wilson,Harry B. Wilson,Dallas S. DeLuca,Harry B. Wilson,Dallas S. DeLuca,Harry B. Wilson,Dallas S. DeLuca,Harry B. Wilson,Dallas S. DeLuca. Filed by Our Oregon, Dan DiIulio, Emma Craddock, Stephen Gomez. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F) (Wilson, Harry) (Attachment 6 replaced on 9/29/2025) (cw). (Entered: 09/26/2025)

1 Exhibit A

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit B

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3 Exhibit C

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4 Exhibit D

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5 Exhibit E

View on RECAP

6 Exhibit F

View on RECAP

Sept. 26, 2025

Sept. 26, 2025

Clearinghouse
13

Certificate of Service by United States of America of Complaint 1 for Tobias Read (1) Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/29/2025)

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

14

Certificate of Service by United States of America of Complaint 1 for Tobias Read (2) Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/29/2025)

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

15

Certificate of Service by United States of America of Complaint 1 on the State of Oregon Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/29/2025)

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

16

Notice of Directly Related Case Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/29/2025)

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

RECAP
17

Notice of Correction by Clerk regarding 12 Motion to intervene. A Clerical error has been discovered in the case record: An incorrect PDF was attached to the entry (exhibit F). The following corrections were made to the record: A corrected PDF has been uploaded to replace the incorrect one. The Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) will be regenerated to all parties. (cw) (Entered: 09/29/2025)

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

Correction of the Record

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

18

Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Abha Khanna. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10006976. Filed by Emma Craddock, Dan DiIulio, Stephen Gomez, Our Oregon. (Khanna, Abha) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

19

Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Christopher D. Dodge. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10006979. Filed by Emma Craddock, Dan DiIulio, Stephen Gomez, Our Oregon. (Dodge, Christopher) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

20

Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Walker Roy McKusick. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10006981. Filed by Emma Craddock, Dan DiIulio, Stephen Gomez, Our Oregon. (McKusick, Walker) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

21

Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Branden D Lewiston. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10006983. Filed by Emma Craddock, Dan DiIulio, Stephen Gomez, Our Oregon. (Lewiston, Branden) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

Clerks Review of Pro Hac Vice Motion

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

Clerk's Review of Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Abha Khanna. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10006976 18 : Reviewed and Ready for Ruling. (jw)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

Clerk's Review of Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Christopher D. Dodge. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10006979 19 : Reviewed and Ready for Ruling. (jw)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

Clerk's Review of Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Walker Roy McKusick. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10006981 20 : Reviewed and Ready for Ruling. (jw)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

Clerk's Review of Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Pro Hac Vice admission requested by attorney Branden D Lewiston. Filing fee in the amount of $300 collected; Agency Tracking ID: AORDC-10006983 21 : Reviewed and Ready for Ruling. (jw)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

22

Motion for Stay for Lack of Appropriations. Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

Oct. 1, 2025

Oct. 1, 2025

RECAP
23

ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: GRANTING Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 18 requested by attorney Abha Khanna; GRANTING Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 19 requested by attorney Christopher D. Dodge; GRANTING Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 20 requested by attorney Walker Roy McKusick; GRANTING Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 21 requested by attorney Branden D Lewiston. (bd) (Entered: 10/01/2025)

Oct. 1, 2025

Oct. 1, 2025

Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Oct. 1, 2025

Oct. 1, 2025

24

ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: Defendant's Unopposed Motion for Stay (ECF No. 22 ) is GRANTED as follows: This matter is stayed until (1) funding is restored to the Department of Justice or (2) 30 days from the date of this order, whichever comes sooner. Within 3 days of the end of the stay, the parties are ordered to submit joint proposed case management deadlines. (bd) (Entered: 10/02/2025)

Oct. 2, 2025

Oct. 2, 2025

Order on Motion for Stay

Oct. 2, 2025

Oct. 2, 2025

25

Second Motion for Stay Due to Lapse of Appropriations. Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 10/24/2025)

Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025

RECAP
26

ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: Before the Court is Plaintiff's Unopposed Second Motion for Stay (ECF No. 25 ). The Court declines to exercise its discretion to extend the stay, and Plaintiff's motion is DENIED. Per the Court's prior order (ECF No. 24 ), the stay in this case lifts on November 3, 2025, and the parties are ordered to submit joint proposed case management deadlines by November 6, 2025. (bd) (Entered: 10/28/2025)

Oct. 28, 2025

Oct. 28, 2025

Order on Motion for Stay

Oct. 28, 2025

Oct. 28, 2025

27

ORDER by Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai: The Court understands that Plaintiff's counsel needs additional clarity regarding the Court's orders. Accordingly, this case is set for a telephonic status conference on November 3, 2025, at 10:30AM. The parties are ordered to call into the Court's conference line at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled hearing. Call-in information will be sent by separate order. Please use a land line connection without external noise. The Court prohibits speaker phones due to the greatly diminished sound quality. (bd) (Entered: 10/31/2025)

Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025

28

Proposed Joint Case Management Schedule . Filed by United States of America. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 10/31/2025)

Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025

1 - Scheduling

Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025

29

MINUTES of Proceedings: Telephonic Status Conference held before Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai. Defendants' Motion to Dismiss is due November 17, 2025. Plaintiff's Response to the Motion to Intervene is due November 17, 2025. Plaintiff's Response to Defendants' Motion to Dismiss is due December 8, 2025. Defendants' Reply in support of their Motion to Dismiss is due December 22, 2025. The case deadlines set forth in ECF No. 2 are VACATED and will be reset once pleadings are settled. In response to Plaintiff's "Notice of Directly Related Case" (ECF No. 16 ), the Court declines to assign the two cases to a single judge. Timothy Mellett present as counsel for plaintiff. Thomas Castelli, Kate Morrow present as counsel for defendants. Harry Wilson, Abha Khanna, Branden Lewiston and Walker McKusick present as counsel for intervenors. (FTR - Eugene Courtroom 1.) (bd) (Entered: 11/03/2025)

Nov. 3, 2025

Nov. 3, 2025

9CONV - Schedules - Set/Reset/Terminate AND Status Conference

Nov. 3, 2025

Nov. 3, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

Oregon

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 16, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States of America

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-DOJ federal government plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

The State of Oregon, State

Tobias Read in his official capacity as the Oregon Secretary of State, State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Help America Vote Act (HAVA), 52 U.S.C. § 20901 et seq (previously 42 U.S.C. § 15301 et seq)

Other Dockets:

District of Oregon 6:25-cv-01666

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Voting:

Voter registration rules