Washington, D.C. Black Voter Disenfranchisement

Michigan Welfare Rights Organization v. Trump

Filed: November 20, 2020

Lawsuit brought by the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund challenging former President Donald Trump, the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) efforts to disenfranchise Black voters. The lawsuit asks the court to stop Trump and the Republicans from violating the Voting Rights Act through their attempts to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election. On Nov. 28, 2022, a trial court issued an order that allowed the plaintiffs to amend their complaint and held that Trump is not absolutely immune. Trump appealed the Nov. 28 order to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

On March 8, 2024, a three-judge panel upheld the district court’s ruling. Litigation is ongoing.

Case Documents (district court)

Plaintiffs' notice of supplemental authority (March 12, 2024)

Joint status report (March 1, 2024)

Reassignment of case (Oct. 6, 2023)

Trump defendants' reply in support of motion to dismiss (Feb. 1, 2023)

RNC's reply in support of motion to dismiss (Jan. 31, 2023)

Plaintiffs' response in opposition to motion to dismiss (Jan. 17, 2023)

Plaintiffs' reply in support of plaintiffs' cross motion to commence discovery (Jan. 6, 2023)

Defendants' motion to dismiss second amended complaint (Jan. 2, 2023)

RNC's motion to dismiss plaintiffs' second amended complaint (Jan. 2, 2023)

Defendants' reply in support of their motion for stay and opposition to plaintiffs' cross-motion to commence discovery (Dec. 30, 2022)

Plaintiffs' cross motion to commence discovery (Dec. 23, 2022)

RNC's notice of joinder of defendants' motion for stay (Dec. 15, 2022)

Defendants' motion for stay (Dec. 12, 2022)

Notice of appeal (Nov. 30, 2022)

Plaintiffs' second amended complaint (Nov. 28, 2022)

Memorandum and order (Nov. 28, 2022)

Plaintiffs' reply in support of motion for leave to file second amended complaint (July 7, 2022)

RNC's opposition to plaintiffs' motion for leave to file second amended complaint and statement of points and authorities (June 30, 2022)

Trump defendants' response in opposition to plaintiffs motion for leave to file second amended complaint (June 30, 2022)

Plaintiffs' motion to leave to file second amended complaint and statement of points and authorities (June 16, 2022)

Minute order denying plaintiffs' motion to clarify (June 10, 2022)

RNC's response to plaintiffs' motion for clarification and statement of points and authorities (June 1, 2022)

Defendants' response in opposition to plaintiffs' motion for clarification (May 31, 2022)

Plaintiffs' motion for clarification and statement of points and authorities (May 16, 2022)

Defendants' opposition to plaintiffs' supplemental authority (April 14, 2022)

RNC's response to plaintiffs' notice of supplemental authority (April 11, 2022)

Memorandum opinion (April 1, 2022)

Order denying the motions to transfer, granting in part the defendants' motions to dismiss and holding the remaining motions in abeyance (March 31, 2022)

Plaintiffs' notice of supplemental authority (March 31, 2022)

Trump defendants' reply in support of their motion to dismiss (April 21, 2021)

RNC's reply in support of its motion to dismiss (April 21, 2021)

Plaintiffs' response in opposition to defendants' motions to dismiss (April 7, 2021)

RNC's reply in support of its motion to transfer venue (March 2, 2021)

Trump defendants' motion to dismiss (Feb. 24, 2021)

RNC's motion to dismiss (Feb. 24, 2021)

Plaintiffs' response to RNC's motion to transfer venue (Feb. 23, 2021)

RNC's motion to transfer venue (Feb. 9, 2021)

Amended complaint (Dec. 21, 2020)

Complaint (Nov. 20, 2020)

Case Documents (D.C. Circuit)

Order summarily affirming district court's decision (March 8, 2024)

Plaintiffs' opposition to motion to stay appeal pending cert petition (Jan. 12, 2024)

Defendant-appellant's opposition to motion to summarily affirm district court's decision (Jan. 2, 2024)

Defendant-appellant's motion to stay appeal pending cert petition (Jan. 2, 2024)

Plaintiffs-appellees' motion to summarily affirm district court's decision (Dec. 19, 2023)

Order pausing appeal (Jan. 30, 2023)

Appellant Trump's statement of issues to be raised (Jan. 5, 2023)

Last updated: March 14, 2024 10:32 am EST