One Wisconsin Institute, Inc. et al v. Nichol, Gerald et al
Filing
30
ORDER denying 24 Motion for Leave to Appear to Participate as Amicus Curiae. Signed by District Judge James D. Peterson on 8/17/2015. (jls)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN
ONE WISCONSIN INSTITUTE, INC.,
CITIZEN ACTION OF WISCONSIN
EDUCATION FUND, INC.,
RENEE M. GAGNER, ANITA JOHNSON,
CODY R. NELSON, JENNIFER S. TASSE,
SCOTT T. TRINDL, and MICHAEL R. WILDER,
ORDER
Plaintiffs,
v.
15-cv-324-jdp
JUDGE GERALD C. NICHOL,
JUDGE ELSA LAMELAS,
JUDGE THOMAS BARLAND,
JUDGE HAROLD V. FROEHLICH,
JUDGE TIMOTHY VOCKE,
JUDGE JOHN FRANKE,
KEVIN J. KENNEDY, and MICHAEL HAAS,
all in their official capacities,
Defendants.
The Public Interest Legal Foundation, Inc. (PILF) has asked to participate as amicus
curiae in this case. Dkt. 24. PILF states that it is a non-partisan public interest organization
whose mission is to promote election integrity and to preserve state control over elections.
PILF offers to marshal an array of election law experts, scholars, and practitioners to assist
the court with this case.
The court has the discretion to accept a brief from amicus curiae, if it would be helpful.
Voices for Choices v. Ill. Bell Tel. Co., 339 F.3d 542, 544 (7th Cir. 2003). The court will decline
PILF’s offer. Wisconsin’s Attorney General and its Department of Justice are quite capable of
defending the state’s election laws. If they wish to adduce expert evidence in support of their
case, they may offer it. But the court would be reluctant to receive expert evidence on any
legal question, no matter who offers it. Interpretation of the law is the province of the court,
not of the parties or their experts.
ORDER
IT IS ORDERED that Public Interest Legal Foundation, Inc.’s motion for leave to
participate as amicus curiae, Dkt. 24, is DENIED.
Entered August 17, 2015.
BY THE COURT:
/s/
________________________________________
JAMES D. PETERSON
District Judge
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