Opinion ID: 4020402
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Defendants’ Request to Vacate Decree

Text: Defendants asked the district court to invalidate the Decree, claiming it conflicted with state law. Defendants also argued that the Decree was void ab initio because the Secretary of State lacked the unilateral authority to abrogate state law absent a constitutional violation. On May 17, 2012, the district court ordered expedited briefing on the threshold issue of the legal validity of the Decree. The court held a merits hearing on June 27, 2012. On July 9, 2012, the district court issued a decision rejecting Defendants’ request to vacate the Decree. (July 9, 2012 Nos. 14-4083/ 4084/ Northeast Ohio Coalition, et al. v. Husted, et al. Page 6 4132/ 4133/ 15-3295/ 3296/ 3380/ 3381 Op.). Specifically, the court (1) rejected Defendants’ argument that the Decree irreconcilably conflicted with state law; (2) held that Rule 60(b) governed Defendants’ motion to vacate the decree; and (3) ruled that Defendants had not shown grounds for relief under Rule 60(b)(4) and (b)(5) because they had failed to show that the Decree was no longer necessary to prevent constitutional violations.