Case: Nicole Malliotakis, et al. v. Michael Williams, et al., No. 25A914
Lower Court: New York
Docketed: 2026-02-13
Status: Application
Question Presented: Question not identified.
On February 13, 2026, the United States filed an amicus brief, submitted the same day the application was docketed with Justice Sotomayor. The federal government’s early intervention is notable. D. John Sauer is listed among the attorneys in the case.
Challengers are represented by Misha Tseytlin. Respondents, including New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood and Marc Erik Elias, oppose the stay. Background on the underlying litigation is available through the American Redistricting Project.
The procedural activity since docketing has been unusually dense. Respondents sought leave to file a sur-reply after applicants filed their reply on February 20, suggesting the parties view the briefing as genuinely contested on the merits. The full Supreme Court docket is available for review.
Whether Justice Sotomayor acts alone or refers the application to the full Court will itself signal how the justices assess the urgency and legal weight of the challenge. Observers should watch for any order requesting a response from the full Court or granting interim relief ahead of the 2026 election cycle.