Case Summary

On August 22, 2019, the Michigan Republican Party and five party members filed a federal lawsuit challenging the mandated partisan composition and eligibility requirements for members on the state’s newly created Independent Citizens Redistricting Commissioners as violating the 1st and 14th Amendment’s freedom of speech, association, and equal protection rights. They sought preliminary and permanent injunctive relief barring the Secretary of State from implementing, administering, or otherwise enforcing the Commission procedures.

  • On September 11, 2019, the federal district court granted the Michigan Secretary of State’s request to consolidate this case with a similar constitutional challenge to the Commission’s procedures, Daunt v. Benson.
  • On November 25, 2019, the district court denied the preliminary injunction request and the plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. On April 15, 2020, the 6th Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision.
  • Plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing en banc with the 6th Circuit on May 13, 2020, which the Court denied on June 19, 2020.
  • On July 6, 2020, the district court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the consolidated cases. The Daunt plaintiffs appealed to the 6th Circuit on August 4, 2020, and oral arguments were held on March 17, 2021.
  • On May 27, 2021, the 6th Circuit upheld the Commission’s eligibility requirements as constitutional. The 6th Circuit issued its mandate on June 21, 2021, bringing the case to an end.

Case Library

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan - 1:19-cv-00669

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit - 19-2420

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit - 20-1734 (together with Daunt v. Benson)