After leftist lawfare destroyed her 20+ year professional career, Ashley Epp (aka Ashe in America) defended herself in Federal Court, in July 2024, and won. (Case 1:22-cv-00581). 

The plaintiffs in the case appealed — and Ashe is now defending herself in the 10th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. 

See Ashe’s pro se briefs:

• Ashley Epp Trial Brief
• Ashley Epp Proposed Findings of Fact
• Ashley Epp Appellee Brief

About the Case

This is a case of "impact law" where well-funded, nationally recognized NGOs are accusing law-abiding citizens of voter intimidation. This case is critical to protecting every Americans' RIGHT to engage in civic life and access their civil rights. 

Who?

NAACP, League of Women Voters, and MiFamilia Vota filed a federal civil lawsuit against three private citizens, Shawn Smith, Ashley Epp, and Holly Kasun along with USEIP (U.S. Election Integrity Plan) which was dismissed from the case in Jan 2023. This dismissal is one of the legal questions in plaintiffs’ appeal. 

What?

Plaintiffs brought this action, alleging that USEIP and the named defendants are, “Planning to, threatening to, and actually deploying armed agents to knock on doors throughout the state of Colorado,” with “the purpose and effect of intimidating Coloradans from voting, trying to vote, helping others to vote, supporting or advocating for certain political beliefs, or exercising the right to speak, peaceably assemble, or petition the government for redress of grievances, in violation of Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, 52 U.S.C. § 10307(b).” 

Plaintiffs further allege that Defendants are “Introducing themselves in ways that make voters believe that they are associated with government agencies…using public voter lists to target and intimidate voters,” “encouraging agents to carry weapons,” and “generating and spreading fear that voters can expect multiple armed and unarmed USEIP members to show up at their doors at any moment to harass and interrogate them about their voting history.” Plaintiffs conclude that Defendants’ conduct is “...thereby Intimidating voters and preventing Coloradans who are lawfully entitled to vote from giving their support or advocacy towards political candidates, in violation of the Ku Klux Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1985.” (ECF No. 01).

Defendants disputed all of plaintiffs’ allegations as categorically false, devoid of factual support, and defamatory at trial, and the court entered judgment on Defendants behalf on a 52(c) motion (Judgement on Partial Findings, or Directed Verdict), meaning the judge ruled definitively in defendants’ favor without requiring the defendants to bring their case in chief. 

The behavior in question is lawful canvassing, which is protected by the First Amendment and well litigated.

Where?

US Federal Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, with additional legal actions in the trial courts. 

When?

The case is assigned to a panel of judges in the appellate court, and they can rule at any time. Regardless, additional legal actions that require counsel are imminent, but funding of counsel is a barrier to success!

Why?

Ashe continues to defend herself in the Plaintiffs’ appeal, but she must also take additional legal actions to ensure the ends of justice are achieved — particularly, that they can never do this to their political opponents ever again. 

Despite winning at trial and being awarded costs at trial, Ashe has not received a penny from the plaintiffs. Fighting this case has come at great personal cost to Ashe, her husband, and their three sons. 

Ashe is fighting to recover her costs and fees, and she will be pursuing additional legal action for restitution, legal clarification and, importantly, to challenge legal precedents that favor leftist civil rights organizations. This will require Ashe to obtain counsel — her battle is multiplying to include a number of legal actions across jurisdictions. 

“I am so proud of the work I accomplished pro se, and I continue that fight in the appellate court now. A big part of me wants to continue and fight every aspect of this lawfare pro se,” Ashe said recently. “But law is complex and all-consuming — for just one case! Fighting for justice alone across multiple jurisdictions and various aspects of law, especially as a non lawyer, is simply not realistic. I also can’t do that to my family again. Plaintiffs are three civil rights organizations with two law firms and as many as 17 attorneys since the beginning of these proceedings. I need help.”

Please Help! 

Please consider helping Ashe fight to ensure that civil rights laws can no longer be weaponized to infringe upon the civil rights of political opposition. It’s a long road ahead, with multiple legal actions — some of them pro se, some of them with counsel. Your support is so crucial, and deeply and profoundly appreciated. 

Thank you for your consideration, and God bless you!