Case Summary

On May 6, 2020, a North Dakota non-profit and several North Dakota voters filed a federal lawsuit against North Dakota’s Secretary of State seeking a waiver from certain ballot initiative petition circulation requirements and restrictions in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Plaintiffs, proponents of a constitutional ballot initiative that would’ve established an independent legislative redistricting commission amongst other electoral reforms, argued that the state’s in-person witness requirement for signatures and ban on electronic signature gathering during the pandemic placed undue burdens on their 1st and 14th Amendment rights of political participation and association and sought injunctive relief barring their enforcement.

  • On June 15, 2020, the district court denied their request for a preliminary injunction.
  • On June 22, 2020, the parties jointly stipulated to dismiss the case, which the court did on June 24.

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U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Dakota - 3:20-cv-00076