Virginia Overseas Voters Challenge
RNC v. Virginia State Board of Elections
An anti-voting lawsuit from Republicans challenging the constitutionality of allowing overseas U.S. citizens to vote in Virginia elections.
Background
The Republican National Committee (RNC) and RITE PAC filed a lawsuit against Virginia election officials challenging a state law that allows certain individuals who have never lived in Virginia to register and vote there. Specifically, the lawsuit targets a provision that permits U.S. citizens living abroad who have never resided in the Commonwealth to vote in Virginia elections based on the last place their parent or legal guardian lived in the state. The plaintiffs argue that this practice violates the Virginia Constitution, which requires voters to be residents of both the state and their voting precinct, and does not allow residency to be inherited or substituted through a parent. They ask the court to declare the laws unconstitutional, block Virginia from registering or counting absentee ballots from individuals who have never lived in the state, and require election officials to cancel those registrations and update procedures to comply with constitutional residency requirements.
Why It Matters
This action is part of Republicans’ nationwide legal strategy to perpetuate claims of ineligible voters casting ballots in American elections. The RNC also filed similar lawsuits against Arizona, North Carolina and Michigan.
Latest Updates
- April 6, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their complaint.