Case: United States v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

2:25-cv-01481 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Filed Date: Sept. 25, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

Filed on September 25, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, this is one of several coordinated lawsuits brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, against state election officials. The suits allege that the states have failed to maintain accurate statewide voter registration lists and have refused to provide the Attorney General with records required under federal law. Here are all the DOJ Voter Data lawsuits in the Clearinghouse coll…

In this lawsuit, the Department sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its Secretary, alleging violations of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), and Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (CRA). The complaint asserts that Pennsylvania has not adequately removed ineligible voters—such as deceased individuals or those who have moved—and has refused to provide the Attorney General with a complete electronic copy of its Statewide Voter Registration List (SVRL). The requested data includes each registrant’s name, address, birth date, driver’s license number, and the last four digits of their Social Security number.

The Department sent multiple written requests between June and August 2025, which Pennsylvania declined, citing state privacy laws. The complaint argues that those laws are preempted by federal statutes, particularly given that Pennsylvania already shares identical data fields with the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a private consortium of states that maintains cross-state voter data.

The United States brings three causes of action:

Civil Rights Act of 1960 (52 U.S.C. § 20703): Failure to provide election-related records upon written demand.
National Voter Registration Act (52 U.S.C. § 20507(i)): Failure to disclose records related to voter list maintenance.
Help America Vote Act (52 U.S.C. § 21083): Failure to maintain accurate voter registration lists and to verify applicant information.

The government seeks declaratory and injunctive relief requiring Pennsylvania to provide a complete copy of its SVRL and to ensure future compliance with the NVRA, HAVA, and CRA. The complaint does not seek monetary damages or attorneys’ fees.

On November 25, 2025, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania moved to dismiss itself as a party. The Commonwealth argued that it was not a proper defendant because DOJ’s complaint alleged no facts traceable to the Commonwealth as an entity, as opposed to Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, and that the federal statutes at issue—the Civil Rights Act of 1960, the National Voter Registration Act, and the Help America Vote Act—authorize enforcement actions only against designated election officials, not the state itself. The Commonwealth further contended that it did not control or possess the voter registration records DOJ sought, that any potential relief would run only against the Secretary, and that amendment would be futile, warranting dismissal without leave to amend.

On December 16, 2025, the Secretary of the Commonwealth filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. The Secretary argued that the Department of Justice failed to state a claim under the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, and Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1960. He contended that none of the statutes authorize the Attorney General to compel disclosure of voters’ driver’s license numbers or the last four digits of Social Security numbers, that the statutes do not require electronic disclosure of statewide voter registration lists, and that the requested data was unnecessary to evaluate Pennsylvania’s voter list maintenance practices. The Secretary further argued that Pennsylvania’s privacy laws operate consistently with federal election law, that DOJ lacked statutory authority under HAVA, and that the court lacked jurisdiction over DOJ’s Title III claim. The motion also asserted that DOJ’s demands would violate federal privacy statutes, including the Privacy Act and the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Michael Vandergriff (12/12/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71453026/parties/united-states-v-commonwealth-of-pennsylvania/

Judge(s)

Bissoon, Cathy (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Attorney for Defendant

Fischer, Michael (Pennsylvania)

Flowers, Meghan A. (Pennsylvania)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Caspar, Edward G. (Pennsylvania)

Cassell-Stiga, Gillian Robin (Pennsylvania)

Judge(s)

Bissoon, Cathy (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Vandenberg, David D. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Defendant

Fischer, Michael (Pennsylvania)

Flowers, Meghan A. (Pennsylvania)

Mullen, Kathleen A. (Pennsylvania)

Other

Caspar, Edward G. (Pennsylvania)

Cassell-Stiga, Gillian Robin (Pennsylvania)

Ford, Timothy James (Pennsylvania)

Frazier, Leah (Pennsylvania)

Frost, Elisabeth C. (Pennsylvania)

Lakin, Sophia Lin (Pennsylvania)

Lee, Theresa J. (Pennsylvania)

Lewiston, Branden D (Pennsylvania)

Nkwonta, Uzoma Nkem (Pennsylvania)

O'Kelly, John L (Pennsylvania)

Rodkey, David A (Pennsylvania)

Savitzky, Ari J. (Pennsylvania)

Shaw, Tori (Pennsylvania)

Shelly, Jacob D (Pennsylvania)

Smith, David (Pennsylvania)

Steiker-Ginzberg, Kate (Pennsylvania)

Thomas, Grace (Pennsylvania)

Walczak, Witold J. (Pennsylvania)

Zimolong, Walter S. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 2:25-cv-01481	Complaint United States v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania et al.	Sept. 25, 2025	Sept. 25, 2025 Complaint
92 2:25-cv-01481	Brief of Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt in Support of His Motion to Dismiss United States of America v. Commonwelath of Pennsylvania	Dec. 16, 2025	Dec. 16, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71453026/united-states-v-commonwealth-of-pennsylvania/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:36 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Sept. 25, 2025	COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee, including Administrative fee, $405, ), filed by UNITED STATES. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet Attachment) (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/25/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Civil Cover Sheet Attachment View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Sept. 25, 2025	MOTION for attorney David D. Vandenberg to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70 by UNITED STATES. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/25/2025)	RECAP
3	Sept. 25, 2025	PRAECIPE to Issue Summons by UNITED STATES (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/25/2025)	RECAP
4	Sept. 25, 2025	PRAECIPE to Issue Summons by UNITED STATES (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/25/2025)	RECAP
5	Sept. 25, 2025	ORDER governing procedures for motions filed under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12. See contents of this filing for instructions. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 9/25/2025. (jmm) (Entered: 09/25/2025)	RECAP
6	Sept. 25, 2025	ORDER granting 2 Motion for David D. Vandenberg to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 9/25/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 09/25/2025)	RECAP
	Sept. 25, 2025	Add and Terminate Judges
	Sept. 25, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	Sept. 25, 2025	Judge Cathy Bissoon added. (sms)
7	Sept. 26, 2025	PRAECIPE to Issue Summons by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Attachments: # 1 Summons) (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/26/2025)	RECAP
8	Sept. 26, 2025	PRAECIPE to Issue Summons by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Attachments: # 1 Summons) (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/26/2025)	RECAP
9	Sept. 26, 2025	Errata re 7 Praecipe to Issue Summons by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Reason for Correction: Add signature.. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/26/2025)	RECAP
10	Sept. 26, 2025	Errata re 8 Praecipe to Issue Summons by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Reason for Correction: Add signature.. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/26/2025)	RECAP
	Sept. 26, 2025	CLERK'S OFFICE QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE re 3 Praecipe to Issue Summons, 4 Praecipe to Issue Summons. ERROR: The summons(es) was/were filed as the main document. CORRECTION: Attorney to refile the document with a Praecipe to Issue/Reissue Summons as the main document and the properly filled out summons(es) as an attachment(s) to the Praecipe, using the Praecipe to Issue Summons/Reissue Summons event. (jd)
	Sept. 26, 2025	Quality Control message - Praecipe to Issue Summons
	Sept. 26, 2025	Quality Control message - No signature s/
	Sept. 26, 2025	CLERK'S OFFICE QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE re 8 Praecipe to Issue Summons, 7 Praecipe to Issue Summons. ERROR: Typed name omitted by s/. CORRECTION: Attorney advised of signature requirements. Attorney to resubmit with signature, using Errata event. (jd)
11	Sept. 29, 2025	MOTION to Intervene as Defendants by Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans, Mike Crossey. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit A - Proposed Answer, # 3 Declaration of Mike Crossey, # 4 Certificate of Service) (Ford, Timothy) (Entered: 09/29/2025) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER 2 Exhibit A - Proposed Answer View on PACER 3 Declaration of Mike Crossey View on PACER 4 Certificate of Service View on PACER	RECAP
12	Sept. 29, 2025	Disclosure Statement by Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service) (Ford, Timothy) (Entered: 09/29/2025)	RECAP
13	Sept. 29, 2025	Summons Issued as to COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AL SCHMIDT (Attachments: # 1 Summons) (keh) (Entered: 09/29/2025)	RECAP
	Sept. 29, 2025	Brief in Support of Motion
	Sept. 29, 2025	Quality Control message - document should have been filed as 2 separate documents
	Sept. 29, 2025	w/ 11 BRIEF in Support re 11 Motion to Intervene, filed by Mike Crossey, Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans. (keh)
	Sept. 29, 2025	CLERK'S OFFICE QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE re 11 Motion to Intervene. ERROR: Document should have been filed as two separate documents. CORRECTION: Attorney advised in future that documents of that nature are to be filed as separate documents. Clerk of Court docketed Brief in Support. This message is for informational purposes only. (keh)
14	Sept. 30, 2025	SUMMONS/Return of Service Returned Executed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AL SCHMIDT served on 9/30/2025, answer due 10/21/2025. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 09/30/2025)	RECAP
15	Oct. 1, 2025	MOTION to Stay for Lapse of Appropriations by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Vandenberg, David) Link added to Proposed Order filed at 16 . Modified text on 10/1/2025. (keh) (Entered: 10/01/2025)	RECAP
16	Oct. 1, 2025	Proposed Order re 15 Motion to Stay for Lack of Appropriations by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 10/01/2025)	RECAP
	Oct. 1, 2025	Quality Control message - No Proposed Order Attached
	Oct. 1, 2025	CLERK'S OFFICE QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE re 15 Motion to Stay. ERROR: Proposed Order, which is required for all motions in civil cases per Local Rule LCvR7, was not attached. CORRECTION: Attorney is advised to file a proposed order by using the Proposed Order event and linking it to the document in question. (keh)
17	Oct. 7, 2025	MOTION to Intervene as Defendants by NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference, STACEY TAYLOR. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Anthony Ashton, # 2 Declaration of Stacey Taylor, # 3 Exhibit A - Proposed Answer, # 4 Certificate of Service, # 5 Proposed Order) (Smith, David) (Entered: 10/07/2025) 1 Declaration of Anthony Ashton View on RECAP 2 Declaration of Stacey Taylor View on RECAP 3 Exhibit A - Proposed Answer View on RECAP 4 Certificate of Service View on RECAP 5 Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
18	Oct. 7, 2025	BRIEF in Support re 17 Motion to Intervene, filed by NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, STACEY TAYLOR. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service) (Smith, David) (Entered: 10/07/2025) 1 Certificate of Service View on PACER	RECAP
19	Oct. 7, 2025	Disclosure Statement by NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. (Smith, David) (Entered: 10/07/2025)	RECAP
20	Oct. 7, 2025	Disclosure Statement by NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference. (Smith, David) (Entered: 10/07/2025)	RECAP
21	Oct. 7, 2025	MOTION for attorney Elisabeth C. Frost to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9131190) by Mike Crossey, Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Elisabeth C. Frost) (Frost, Elisabeth) (Entered: 10/07/2025)	RECAP
22	Oct. 7, 2025	MOTION for attorney Jacob D. Shelly to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9131296) by Mike Crossey, Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Jacob D. Shelly) (Shelly, Jacob) (Entered: 10/07/2025)	RECAP
23	Oct. 7, 2025	MOTION for attorney Branden D. Lewiston to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9131322) by Mike Crossey, Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Branden D. Lewiston) (Lewiston, Branden) (Entered: 10/07/2025)	RECAP
24	Oct. 7, 2025	ORDER. Consistent with the Order in 2:25-mc-01098-MRH, granting the government's omnibus Motion to stay civil matters due to the lapse in certain appropriations, this case hereby is STAYED. The Order in 2:25-mc-01098-MRH is incorporated by reference, and counsel are directed to review the same. For the duration of the Stay, the case will be electronically CLOSED. This is a docket control device having no impact on the parties' substantive rights. Any existing CONFERENCE or DEADLINE is CANCELLED, and will be reset by future order once the stay is lifted (and the case is reopened). Accordingly, Plaintiff's 15 Motion is denied as moot. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/7/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/07/2025)	RECAP
	Oct. 7, 2025	Order Staying Case AND ~Util - Terminate Civil Case
25	Oct. 8, 2025	MOTION for attorney Tori Shaw to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9134184) by Mike Crossey, Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Tori Shaw) (Shaw, Tori) (Entered: 10/08/2025)	RECAP
	Oct. 8, 2025	Quality Control message - No Proposed Order Attached
	Oct. 8, 2025	CLERK'S OFFICE QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE re 21 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 22 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 23 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 25 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. ERROR: Proposed Order, which is required for all motions in civil cases per Local Rule LCvR7, was not attached. CORRECTION: Attorneys are advised to file a proposed order by using the Proposed Order event and linking it to the document in question. (keh)
26	Oct. 9, 2025	Proposed Order re 21 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, of Elisabeth C. Frost by Mike Crossey, Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans. (Frost, Elisabeth) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
27	Oct. 9, 2025	Proposed Order re 22 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Jacob D. Shelly by Mike Crossey, Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans. (Shelly, Jacob) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
28	Oct. 9, 2025	Proposed Order re 23 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, of Branden D. Lewiston by Mike Crossey, Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans. (Lewiston, Branden) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
29	Oct. 9, 2025	Proposed Order re 25 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Tori Shaw by Mike Crossey, Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans. (Shaw, Tori) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
30	Oct. 9, 2025	ORDER granting 21 Motion for Elisabeth C. Frost to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/9/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
31	Oct. 9, 2025	ORDER granting 22 Motion for Jacob D. Shelly to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/9/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
32	Oct. 9, 2025	ORDER granting 23 Motion for Branden D. Lewiston to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/9/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
33	Oct. 9, 2025	ORDER granting 25 Motion for Tori Shaw to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/9/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
34	Oct. 9, 2025	MOTION for attorney Gillian Cassell-Stiga to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9136183) by NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, STACEY TAYLOR. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Proposed Order) (Cassell-Stiga, Gillian) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
35	Oct. 9, 2025	ORDER granting 34 Motion for Gillian Cassell-Stiga to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/9/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
36	Oct. 9, 2025	MOTION to Intervene as Defendants by NICHOLAS MASTON, GREGORY PERRY, TODD THATCHER, JOEL DICKSON, TRISHA KENT, LIOR STERNFELD, JOHN THOMPSON, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA, COMMON CAUSE. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E, # 7 Exhibit F, # 8 Exhibit G, # 9 Exhibit H, # 10 Exhibit I, # 11 Exhibit J - PROPOSED ANSWER) (Walczak, Witold) (Entered: 10/09/2025) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER 2 Exhibit A View on PACER 3 Exhibit B View on PACER 4 Exhibit C View on PACER 5 Exhibit D View on PACER 6 Exhibit E View on PACER 7 Exhibit F View on PACER 8 Exhibit G View on PACER 9 Exhibit H View on PACER 10 Exhibit I View on PACER 11 Exhibit J - PROPOSED ANSWER View on PACER	RECAP
37	Oct. 9, 2025	BRIEF in Support re 36 Motion to Intervene, filed by COMMON CAUSE, JOEL DICKSON, TRISHA KENT, NICHOLAS MASTON, GREGORY PERRY, LIOR STERNFELD, TODD THATCHER, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA, JOHN THOMPSON. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6) (Walczak, Witold) (Entered: 10/09/2025) 1 Exhibit 1 View on RECAP 2 Exhibit 2 View on RECAP 3 Exhibit 3 View on RECAP 4 Exhibit 4 View on RECAP 5 Exhibit 5 View on RECAP 6 Exhibit 6 View on RECAP	RECAP
	Oct. 9, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
38	Oct. 10, 2025	MOTION for attorney Grace Thomas to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9138154) by NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, STACEY TAYLOR. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Proposed Order) (Thomas, Grace) (Entered: 10/10/2025)	RECAP
39	Oct. 14, 2025	MOTION for attorney Ari Savitzky to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9141086) by COMMON CAUSE, JOEL DICKSON, TRISHA KENT, NICHOLAS MASTON, GREGORY PERRY, LIOR STERNFELD, TODD THATCHER, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA, JOHN THOMPSON. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Proposed Order) (Savitzky, Ari) (Entered: 10/14/2025)	RECAP
40	Oct. 14, 2025	MOTION for attorney Sophia Lin Lakin to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9141276) by COMMON CAUSE, JOEL DICKSON, TRISHA KENT, NICHOLAS MASTON, GREGORY PERRY, LIOR STERNFELD, TODD THATCHER, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA, JOHN THOMPSON. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Proposed Order) (Savitzky, Ari) Link added to Errata filed at 47 . Modified text on 10/17/2025. (keh) (Entered: 10/14/2025)	RECAP
	Oct. 15, 2025	CLERK'S OFFICE QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE re 40 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice,. ERROR: Signature on document and filer do not match. CORRECTION: Attorney advised of signature requirements. Attorney to resubmit the document using the Errata event. (keh)
	Oct. 15, 2025	Quality Control message - No signature s/
42	Oct. 16, 2025	MOTION for attorney Theresa Lee to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9147342) by COMMON CAUSE, JOEL DICKSON, TRISHA KENT, NICHOLAS MASTON, GREGORY PERRY, LIOR STERNFELD, TODD THATCHER, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA, JOHN THOMPSON. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Proposed Order) (Lee, Theresa) (Entered: 10/16/2025)	RECAP
43	Oct. 17, 2025	ORDER granting 38 Motion for Grace Thomas to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/17/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/17/2025)	RECAP
44	Oct. 17, 2025	ORDER granting 39 Motion for Ari Savitzky to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/17/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/17/2025)	RECAP
45	Oct. 17, 2025	ORDER granting 42 Motion for Theresa Lee to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/17/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/17/2025)	RECAP
46	Oct. 17, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Kate Steiker-Ginzberg on behalf of COMMON CAUSE, JOEL DICKSON, TRISHA KENT, NICHOLAS MASTON, GREGORY PERRY, LIOR STERNFELD, TODD THATCHER, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA, JOHN THOMPSON. (Steiker-Ginzberg, Kate) (Entered: 10/17/2025)	RECAP
47	Oct. 17, 2025	Errata re 40 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, by COMMON CAUSE, JOEL DICKSON, TRISHA KENT, NICHOLAS MASTON, GREGORY PERRY, LIOR STERNFELD, TODD THATCHER, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA, JOHN THOMPSON. Reason for Correction: Signature on document and filer did not match. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Proposed Order) (Lakin, Sophia) (Entered: 10/17/2025)	RECAP
	Oct. 17, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
48	Oct. 21, 2025	MOTION for attorney Edward G. Caspar to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9154519) by NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, STACEY TAYLOR. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Exhibit A (Certificate of Good Standing), # 3 Proposed Order) (Caspar, Edward) (Entered: 10/21/2025)	RECAP
49	Oct. 22, 2025	ORDER granting 48 Motion for Edward G. Caspar to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/22/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/22/2025)	RECAP
50	Oct. 22, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Meghan A. Flowers on behalf of COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. (Flowers, Meghan) (Entered: 10/22/2025)	RECAP
51	Oct. 22, 2025	ORDER granting 40 Motion for Sophia Lin Lakin to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 10/22/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 10/22/2025)	RECAP
	Oct. 22, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
52	Nov. 5, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Kathleen A. Mullen on behalf of AL SCHMIDT. (Mullen, Kathleen) (Entered: 11/05/2025)	RECAP
53	Nov. 13, 2025	MOTION for attorney Leah Frazier to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9193262) by NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, STACEY TAYLOR. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing MD, # 3 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing DC) (Frazier, Leah) Link added to 54 Supplement with Affidavit supporting this motion. Modified text on 11/13/2025. (keh) (Entered: 11/13/2025)	RECAP
54	Nov. 13, 2025	SUPPLEMENT by NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, STACEY TAYLOR to 53 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice,. (Frazier, Leah) (Entered: 11/13/2025)	RECAP
55	Nov. 13, 2025	SUMMONS/Return of Service Returned Executed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA served on 10/3/2025, answer due 10/24/2025. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 11/13/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 13, 2025	Quality Control message - Motion to Appear PHV
	Nov. 13, 2025	CLERK'S OFFICE QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE re 53 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. ERROR: Affidavit not attached to Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. CORRECTION: See LCvR 83.2(B) PRO HAC VICE ADMISSIONS. A motion for admission pro hac vice must be accompanied by an affidavit from the attorney seeking to be admitted pro hac vice. Attorney seeking admission is advised to sign and submit the Affidavit by using the "Supplement" filing event and link filing to the previously filed motion. (keh)
56	Nov. 17, 2025	ORDER. Consistent with the Order entered on 11/14/2025 in 2:25-mc-01098-MRH (Doc. 7, therein), the stay is LIFTED, and the case is REOPENED. Shortly, the Court will enter another order setting the case back on track, including - as appropriate - the setting of new deadline(s) and/or the rescheduling of any continued court event(s). Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 11/17/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 11/17/2025)	RECAP
57	Nov. 17, 2025	ORDER granting 53 Motion for Leah Frazier to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 11/17/2025. Text-only entry; no PDF document will issue. This text-only entry constitutes the Order of the Court or Notice on the matter. (jmm) (Entered: 11/17/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 17, 2025	Order Lifting Stay
	Nov. 17, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
58	Nov. 19, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Fischer on behalf of AL SCHMIDT. (Fischer, Michael) (Entered: 11/19/2025)	RECAP
59	Nov. 19, 2025	MOTION to Intervene as Plaintiff by AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE - PENNSYLVANIA. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Proposed Order) (Zimolong, Walter) (Entered: 11/19/2025) 1 Declaration View on PACER 2 Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
60	Nov. 19, 2025	BRIEF in Support re 59 Motion to Intervene as Plaintiff filed by AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE - PENNSYLVANIA. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Exhibit Proposed) (Zimolong, Walter) (Entered: 11/19/2025) 1 Declaration View on RECAP 2 Exhibit Proposed View on RECAP	RECAP
61	Nov. 20, 2025	NOTICE of Joint Status Report and Motion to Modify Briefing Schedules by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 11/20/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 20, 2025	Modify
	Nov. 20, 2025	w/ 61 MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedules by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (keh)
	Nov. 20, 2025	Clerk's Request for Corrective Action
	Nov. 20, 2025	CLERK'S NOTICE OF CORRECTION re 61 Notice. ERROR: Document should have been filed as two separate documents. CORRECTION FOR FUTURE FILINGS: In the future, documents of this nature are to be filed as separate events. Clerk has docketed the Motion to Modify Briefing Schedules. THIS MESSAGE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. (keh)
	Nov. 20, 2025	Clerk's Notice of Correction
	Nov. 20, 2025	CLERK'S REQUEST FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION re 61 Notice. ERROR: Filer did not attach a Proposed Order as required by LCvR 7. CORRECTION: Filer to submit a proposed order using the Proposed Order event. Filer is to link the Proposed Order to the relevant motion in the event. (keh)
	Nov. 20, 2025	Motion to Modify
62	Nov. 21, 2025	Joint MOTION for Status Conference Proposal of Briefing Schedule by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 11/21/2025)	RECAP
63	Nov. 21, 2025	Proposed Order re 62 Motion for Status Conference on Proposed Briefing Schedule by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 11/21/2025)	RECAP
64	Nov. 23, 2025	Amended MOTION to Modify Briefing Schedule Jointly Proposed 62 Motion for Status Conference by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 11/23/2025)	RECAP
65	Nov. 24, 2025	First MOTION for attorney John L. O'Kelly to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9215414) by RealAmerica.Vote. (O'Kelly, John) (Entered: 11/24/2025)	RECAP
66	Nov. 25, 2025	Errata re 63 Proposed Order, 64 Motion to Modify Briefing Schedule Jointly Proposed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Reason for Correction: Date within document.. (Vandenberg, David) (Entered: 11/25/2025)	RECAP
67	Nov. 25, 2025	MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM re 1 COMPLAINT, by COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Certificate of Conferral) (Flowers, Meghan) (Entered: 11/25/2025) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER 2 Certificate of Conferral View on PACER	RECAP
68	Nov. 25, 2025	BRIEF in Support re 67 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. (Flowers, Meghan) (Entered: 11/25/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 25, 2025	CLERK'S REQUEST FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION re 65 First MOTION for attorney John L. O'Kelly to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (Filing fee $70, Receipt # APAWDC-9215414). ERROR: Filer did not attach a Proposed Order as required by LCvR 7. CORRECTION: Filer to submit a proposed order using the Proposed Order event. Filer is to link the Proposed Order to the relevant motion in the event. (keh)

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Pennsylvania

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Voting/Election Law

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 25, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Department of Justice, Civil Rights Section.

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

Al Schmidt, Secretary of State

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights Act of 1957/1960, 52 U.S.C. § 10101 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1971)

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

National Voter Registration Act ("Motor Voter law"), 52 U.S.C. § 20501 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1973gg)

Other Dockets:

Western District of Pennsylvania 2:25-cv-01481

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Document/Information

Relief Granted:

Document/information produced

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

Voting:

Access to Voter Rolls / Voter Information

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of United States v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/47002/ (last updated 12/12/2025).