From the VA NAACP:
NAACP and Advancement Project Sue Virginia Over Illegal Rejection of College Student Voter Registrations
Richmond, Virginia – The NAACP Virginia State Conference and co-counsel, Advancement Project, filed a lawsuit in the state challenging the unlawful rejection of voter registration applications from college students who live on campus. NAACP Virginia State Conference v. John O’Bannon et. al alleges that election officials across Virginia are disenfranchising eligible student voters by requiring dormitory names, room numbers, and campus mailbox information that are neither requested on Virginia’s voter registration form nor relevant to determining voter eligibility.
NAACP Virginia State Conference and Advancement Project seek to block Virginia election officials from rejecting voter registration applications that do not provide the irrelevant dorm room information to ensure that students are able to exercise their fundamental right to vote in the upcoming November election and beyond.
“This is a clear attempt to rob students of the right to vote in a state where they study and potentially live once they graduate,” said Anthony P. Ashton, Senior Associate General Counsel at NAACP. “Virginia’s own voter registration form does not ask for dorm room information, and federal law makes clear that immaterial omissions cannot be used to deny eligible citizens their right to vote. These practices are discriminatory, unlawful, and must stop immediately.”
The complaint asserts that the Virginia election officials’ actions violate the Materiality Provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Eligible voters affected by this unlawful practice include students at institutions such as Norfolk State University, Virginia State University, George Mason University, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, University of Richmond, and Virginia Commonwealth University.
“Virginia’s college students represent the next generation of civic leaders, and their voices matter,” said Rev. Cozy Bailey, President of the NAACP Virginia State Conference. “When barriers are placed in front of young voters, it sends a message that their participation is not valued. We will not allow unnecessary obstacles to silence students who are eager to do their civic duty.”
“Thousands of young voters on Virginia college campuses want to make their voices heard in this year’s elections, but too many of them are at risk of being disenfranchised by Virginia policies that are restricting students’ access to the ballot. We must remove the barriers that infringe on their right to vote. Ensuring equal access to the ballot box for Virginia’s students is not only a matter of fairness, it is required by federal law and the U.S. Constitution,” said John Powers, Legal Director at Advancement Project.
This lawsuit comes as the NAACP pursues litigation against the States of Texas and Missouri, and in counties across the country over their unconstitutional gerrymandering, and against the Trump administration for an executive order that would suppress millions of voters.
The NAACP Virginia State Conference has long worked to eliminate barriers to the ballot box and ensure equitable access to voting for all Virginians. This lawsuit underscores the organization’s commitment to protecting the rights of young voters and preventing systemic disenfranchisement.
