Republican Natl Cmte v. Wetzel

Opinion

Case: 24-60395 Document: 255-1 Page: 1 Date Filed: 09/09/2026

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit

____________ FILED September 9, 2026

No. 24-60395 Lyle W. Cayce ____________ Clerk

Republican National Committee; Mississippi Republican Party; James Perry; Matthew Lamb,

Plaintiffs—Appellants,

versus

Justin Wetzel, in his official capacity as the clerk and registrar of the Circuit Court of Harrison County; Toni Jo Diaz, in their official capacities as members of the Harrison County Election Commission; Becky Payne, in their official capacities as members of the Harrison County Election Commission; Barbara Kimball, in their official capacities as members of the Harrison County Election Commission; Christene Brice, in their official capacities as members of the Harrison County Election Commission; Carolyn Handler, in their official capacities as members of the Harrison County Election Commission; Michael Watson, in his official capacity as the Secretary of State of Mississippi,

Defendants—Appellees,

Vet Voice Foundation; Mississippi Alliance for Retired Americans,

Intervenor Defendants—Appellees,

______________________________

Libertarian Party of Mississippi,

Plaintiff—Appellant,

Case: 24-60395 Document: 255-1 Page: 2 Date Filed: 09/09/2026

versus

Justin Wetzel, in his official capacity as the clerk and registrar of the Circuit Court of Harrison County; Toni Jo Diaz in their official capacities as members of the Harrison County Election Commission; Becky Payne, in their official capacities as members of the Harrison County Election Commission; Barbara Kimball, in their official capacities as members of the Harrison County Election Commission; Cristene Brice, in their official capacities as members of the Harrison County Election Commission; Carolyn Handler, in their official capacities as members of the Harrison County Election Commission; Michael Watson, in his official capacity as the Secretary of State of Mississippi,

Defendants—Appellees.

______________________________

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi USDC Nos. 1:24-CV-25, 1:24-CV-37

______________________________

ON REMAND FROM

THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

Before Ho, Duncan, and Oldham, Circuit Judges. Per Curiam: * The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED in light of Watson v. RNC, 146 S. Ct. 2165 (2026).

_____________________

*

This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5th Cir. R. 47.5.