Federal Judicial Center Operational Status:

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the Federal Judicial Center (Center) has ceased all non-excepted activities until funding is restored.

The Center will post any changes in operational status on this web page. Please check back for updates.

You are here

No Pandemic Relief from a Ballot-Petition Signature Requirement for Signatures Due Very Early in the Pandemic

Robert Timothy Reagan
October 16, 2023

Garcia v. Griswold (William J. Martínez, D. Colo. 1:20-cv-1268)
A prospective primary-election candidate sought relief from a state supreme court denying her relief from the ballot-petition signature requirement despite social distancing made necessary by a global infectious pandemic. The federal district judge denied the candidate relief because of her delay in bringing the case and because the pandemic had a small impact on signature gathering, as signatures were due early in the pandemic.
Subject: Getting on the ballot. Topics: Getting on the ballot; Covid-19; laches; intervention; primary election; matters for state courts; case assignment.

One of many Case Studies in Emergency Election Litigation.

Downloadable file:
PDF icon Case Study 2 pages

Tags:
Election Litigation | Case Assignment | Getting on the Ballot | Intervention | Matters for State Courts | Primary Election | Emergency Proceedings | Laches | Covid-19 | U.S. District Courts | D. Colo.