Democratic National Committee v. Republican National Committee

Summary

The Third Circuit affirmed the District Court’s orders denying the Democratic National Committee’s discovery requests and declaring expired a consent decree restricting certain Republican National Committee ballot-security activities. The Court held that the District Court acted within its discretion in managing discovery and determining that the DNC had not shown a violation of the decree.

Holdings

1. The District Court did not abuse its discretion in limiting or denying the DNC's discovery requests.
2. The District Court did not abuse its discretion in declaring the consent decree expired according to its terms.
3. The District Court retained federal-question jurisdiction to enforce the consent decree, and the Third Circuit had appellate jurisdiction under the decree's express reservation of appellate jurisdiction and 28 U.S.C. § 1291.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the District Court abused its discretion in limiting or denying the DNC's discovery requests.
2. Whether the District Court abused its discretion in declaring the consent decree expired after the DNC failed to prove a violation.
3. Whether the District Court had jurisdiction to enforce the consent decree and whether the Third Circuit had appellate jurisdiction.

Disposition

affirmed