CASE SUMMARY
On March 21, 2022 a group of Arkansas voters filed a lawsuit against Arkansas's Secretary of State and the members of the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners challenging the state's enacted congressional redistricting plan as violating the Arkansas Constitution. First, plaintiffs assert the enacted plan "cracks" Black communities in Pulaski County, thereby diluting their voting strength in violation of the Arkansas Constitution's Free and Equal Elections Clause (art. 2, § 3) and right to vote (art. 3, § 2). Second, they allege by cracking Black communities and diluting their voting strength, the plan also violates the Arkansas Constitution's Equal Protection guarantees (art. 2, §§ 2, 3) and Equal Rights Amendment (art. 2, § 18). They are seeking a judicial declaration that the enacted plan violates the Arkansas Constitution, an injunction barring the defendants from using the plan in future elections, and a court order requiring the adoption of a new congressional plan that doesn't dilute Black voting strength.
On April 22, the defendants filed a notice of removal to transfer the case to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
CASE LIBRARY
Arkansas Circuit Court, Pulaski County - No. 60CV-22-1849
- Complaint - 3/21/22
- Notice of Filing Notice of Removal - 4/22/22
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Central Division - No. 4:22-cv-368
- Notice of Removal - 4/22/22
- Complaint for Injunctive Relief and Declaratory Judgment - 4/22/22
- Defendants' Motion to Dismiss - 4/29/22
- Defendants' Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss - 4/29/22
- Initial Scheduling Order - 5/2/22
- Plaintiffs' Motion for Remand - 5/6/22
- Plaintiffs' Brief in Support of Their Motion for Remand - 5/6/22
- Plaintiffs' Motion to Stay - 5/6/22
- Plaintiffs' Brief in Support of Motion to Stay - 5/10/22
- Plaintiffs' Motion for Extension of Time - 5/10/22
- Order - 5/12/22
- Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time - 5/12/22
- Order - 5/20/22