Essex, et al. v. Kobach et al.

Case Summary: 12-cv-4046

On May 3, 2012, plaintiff Robyn Renee Essex filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas against defendant Kris W. Kobach, Kansas Secretary of State. The complaint sought to enjoin defendant from conducting the 2012 elections, alleging that the 2002 districts are unconstitutional and cannot be used because of population shifts documented by the 2010 census, which caused existing districts to become unequal in population and thus in violation of the constitutional requirement of one person, one vote.

On May 16, 2012, defendant filed an answer. The court allowed numerous parties to intervene. A three-judge panel was appointed to hear the case under 28 U.S.C. § 2284(a). On May 29 and 30, 2012, the court heard testimony, received evidence, and entertained arguments from the original parties and intervenors. On June 7, 2012, the court issued a per curiam order, concluding that none of the proposed plans are both constitutional and fully comport with the non-constitutional criteria that apply to redistricting plans approved or crafted in a judicial context. As a result of the legislative default, the court was required to draw its own maps, which are attached to the court's order.

Case Highlights

• Complaint filed 5/3/2012 [Doc #1]
• Answer filed 5/16/2012 [Doc #8]
• Bench Trial 5/29/2012-5/30/2012
• Order 6/7/2012 [Doc #247]

Case-related documents, including those referenced above, are available via the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. For more information, visit Pacer.gov.