Virginia Student Registration Rejection Challenge

A pro-voting lawsuit seeking to block the rejection of voter registration applications submitted by eligible college students living on campus. 

Background

The NAACP Virginia State Conference filed a lawsuit against Virginia election officials to stop them from rejecting voter registration applications and same-day registration provisional ballots submitted by eligible college students who list a valid on-campus residential address but do not include details like their dorm name, room number, campus mailing address, or mailbox number. The plaintiff argues that students cannot be denied registration for failing to provide this additional, immaterial information when they have already supplied a valid campus address that establishes their eligibility to vote. They argue that refusing to register these students based on immaterial address details violates the right to vote under the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Materiality Provision of the Civil Rights Act. They seek a court order to stop these rejections, require acceptance of valid campus addresses, ensure provisional ballots are counted, and notify student voters statewide of corrected procedures.

Why It Matters

This lawsuit comes during a major election year for Virginia, with the NAACP warning that the challenged practices could disrupt student voting in the November 2025 election and beyond. Young voters attending Virginia colleges and universities rely on being able to register and vote where they live during the school year. Imposing additional requirements on otherwise eligible students creates unnecessary barriers and could silence thousands of student voices. 

Latest Updates

• Oct. 31, 2025: Plaintiff filed their complaint.