Filed Date: Oct. 7, 2007
Closed Date: 2007
Clearinghouse coding complete
On October 7, 2007, the conservative group Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit on behalf of a New York taxpayer in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Suffolk County, challenging New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's change to the state driver's license policy. Under the policy change, the state intended to dispense with the requirement that a driver's license applicant provide a valid social security number in order to receive a license. The policy, which was heralded as giving "all New Yorkers the opportunity to apply for driver's licenses without regard to immigration status," received national attention and became a focal issue for candidates during the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign. The lawsuit alleged that the policy change violated the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 500 et seq. and the State Administrative Procedure Act, §§ 101, et seq.
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, the Governor decided to drop the change in policy, citing "pending lawsuits" and public opposition. The case is closed.
Summary Authors
Elizabeth Daligga (7/16/2012)
Aldrich, James B. (District of Columbia)
Borovina, Anton J. (New York)
Peterson, James F. (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:50 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Oct. 7, 2007
Closing Date: 2007
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Judicial Watch
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
New York Department of Motor Vehicles, State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
Immigration/Border: