Case: United States v. Ziriax

5:26-cv-00361 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma

Filed Date: Feb. 26, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

On February 26, 2026, the United States of America filed this lawsuit against Paul Ziriax, in his official capacity as Secretary of the State Election Board of Oklahoma and chief election officer for the state of Oklahoma in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The proceeding arose from the Attorney General's investigation into Oklahoma's compliance with federal election law, particularly the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and Help America Vote Act (HAVA). On Decemb…

On February 26, 2026, the United States of America filed this lawsuit against Paul Ziriax, in his official capacity as Secretary of the State Election Board of Oklahoma and chief election officer for the state of Oklahoma in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The proceeding arose from the Attorney General's investigation into Oklahoma's compliance with federal election law, particularly the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and Help America Vote Act (HAVA). On December 12, 2025, the Attorney General sent a letter to Secretary Ziriax seeking information regarding Oklahoma's compliance with federal election law, including a demand for a current copy of Oklahoma's computerized statewide voter registration list with all required fields. Secretary Ziriax refused to provide the unredacted voter registration list in a February 4, 2026, letter, stating he was "not legally authorized" to share it with the Attorney General⁻. The U.S. brought the action under federal jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1345, and 2201(a). In Count One, the government alleged that Secretary Ziriax violated the Civil Rights Act of 1960, 52 U.S.C. § 20703, specifically Section 303 of the Civil Rights Act, by refusing to produce election records demanded by the Attorney General. The U.S. sought a declaration that Secretary Ziriax's refusal violated the Civil Rights Act, an order requiring him to provide the current electronic copy of Oklahoma's computerized statewide voter registration list within five days, an order requiring production of other federal election records to ascertain HAVA and NVRA compliance, and such other relief as the interests of justice may require⁻.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Claire Pollard (3/27/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72336804/parties/united-states-v-ziriax/


Judge(s)

Goodwin, Charles Barnes (Oklahoma)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Gardner, Christopher J (Oklahoma)

Attorney for Defendant

Handler, Travis (Oklahoma)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Abbuhl, Joshua Charles (Oklahoma)

Frasier, Frank W (Oklahoma)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

5:26-cv-00361

Complaint

United States of America v. Ziriax

Feb. 26, 2026

Feb. 26, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72336804/united-states-v-ziriax/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:09 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Feb. 26, 2026

COMPLAINT against Paul Ziriax filed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(naa) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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Clearinghouse
2 Feb. 26, 2026

Summons Issued Electronically as to Paul Ziriax. (naa) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

RECAP
3 March 5, 2026

MOTION to Intervene by Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit)(Frasier, Frank) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

1 Exhibit

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2 Exhibit

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3 Exhibit

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RECAP
4 March 5, 2026

ENTRY of Appearance by Frank W Frasier, III on behalf of Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans (Frasier, Frank) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

RECAP
5 March 6, 2026

SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. Paul Ziriax served on 3/4/2026. (Gardner, Christopher) (Entered: 03/06/2026)

RECAP
6 March 9, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Uzoma Nkwonta Filing fee $ 100, receipt number AOKWDC-4937282 by Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans. (Nkwonta, Uzoma) (Entered: 03/09/2026)

RECAP
7 March 9, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Joshua Abbuhl Filing fee $ 100, receipt number AOKWDC-4937317 by Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans. (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 03/09/2026)

RECAP
8 March 9, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Tori Shaw Filing fee $ 100, receipt number AOKWDC-4937368 by Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans. (Shaw, Tori) (Entered: 03/09/2026)

RECAP
9 March 10, 2026

ORDER denying 6 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 7 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, and 8 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by Judge Charles Goodwin on 03/10/2026. (jb) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

RECAP
10 March 11, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Frasier, Frank) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

1 Exhibit

View on RECAP

RECAP
11 March 11, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Frasier, Frank) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

1 Exhibit

View on PACER

RECAP
12 March 11, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Frasier, Frank) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

1 Exhibit

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RECAP
13 March 11, 2026

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT - CORPORATE by Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans . (Frasier, Frank) (Entered: 03/11/2026)

RECAP
14 March 12, 2026

ORDER granting 10 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. On or before March 26, 2026, Attorney Abbuhl shall electronically file an entry of appearance on the form prescribed by the Clerk of Court. Signed by Judge Charles Goodwin on 03/12/2026. (jb) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

RECAP
15 March 12, 2026

ORDER granting 12 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. On or before March 26, 2026, Attorney Nkwonta shall electronically file an entry of appearance on the form prescribed by the Clerk of Court. Signed by Judge Charles Goodwin on 03/12/2026. (jb) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

RECAP
16 March 12, 2026

ORDER granting 11 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. On or before March 26, 2026, Attorney Shaw shall electronically file an entry of appearance on the form prescribed by the Clerk of Court. Signed by Judge Charles Goodwin on 03/12/2026. (jb) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

RECAP
17 March 18, 2026

ENTRY of Appearance by Joseph W. Voiland on behalf of United States of America (Voiland, Joseph) (Entered: 03/18/2026)

RECAP
18 March 23, 2026

ENTRY of Appearance by Uzoma Nkem Nkwonta on behalf of Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans (Nkwonta, Uzoma) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

RECAP
19 March 23, 2026

ENTRY of Appearance by Joshua Charles Abbuhl on behalf of Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans (Abbuhl, Joshua) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

RECAP
20 March 23, 2026

ENTRY of Appearance by Tori Shaw on behalf of Oklahoma Alliance for Retired Americans (Shaw, Tori) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

RECAP
21 March 23, 2026

ENTRY of Appearance by Megan E Lambert on behalf of League of Women Voters of Oklahoma, League of United Latin American Citizens, Laiba Fatima (Lambert, Megan) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

RECAP
22 March 23, 2026

ENTRY of Appearance by Travis Handler on behalf of Laiba Fatima, League of United Latin American Citizens, League of Women Voters of Oklahoma (Handler, Travis) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

RECAP
23 March 23, 2026

MOTION to Intervene as Defendants by Laiba Fatima, League of United Latin American Citizens, League of Women Voters of Oklahoma. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Proposed Motion to Dismiss, # 2 Exhibit 2 - Dec. 12 Letter, # 3 Exhibit 3 - Feb. 4 Letter, # 4 Exhibit 4 - MOU, # 5 Exhibit 5 - Staggs Decl, # 6 Exhibit 6 - Proano Decl, # 7 Exhibit 7 - Fatima Decl)(Lambert, Megan) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

1 Exhibit 1 - Proposed Motion to Dismiss

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2 Exhibit 2 - Dec. 12 Letter

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3 Exhibit 3 - Feb. 4 Letter

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4 Exhibit 4 - MOU

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5 Exhibit 5 - Staggs Decl

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6 Exhibit 6 - Proano Decl

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7 Exhibit 7 - Fatima Decl

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RECAP
24 March 24, 2026

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by United States of America (Gardner, Christopher) (Entered: 03/24/2026)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Oklahoma

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 26, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Western District of Oklahoma 5:26-cv-00361

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Recommended Citation