Case: United States v. Beals

3:26-cv-00042 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

Filed Date: Jan. 16, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is one of many lawsuits filed by the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division seeking access to state voter information. This lawsuit seeks Virginia's statewide voter registration list with voter information. Here are all the DOJ Voter Data lawsuits in the Clearinghouse collection. On January 16, 2026, the Civil Rights Division filed this lawsuit against the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.  It a…

This is one of many lawsuits filed by the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division seeking access to state voter information. This lawsuit seeks Virginia's statewide voter registration list with voter information. Here are all the DOJ Voter Data lawsuits in the Clearinghouse collection.

On January 16, 2026, the Civil Rights Division filed this lawsuit against the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.  It alleged that it was investigating Virginia's compliance with federal election law, including the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), both of which require the state to maintain and preserve certain voter records. It further alleged that Title III of the Civil Rights Act both requires state and local officials to retain and preserve records related to voter registration and empowers the Attorney General to request those records. On July 15 and August 14, 2025, the Attorney General had requested that Virginia provide its statewide voter registration list and related information; after extensive negotiation, on January 8, 2026, representatives for the Commissioner expressed that the state would not be providing the requested information. This lawsuit followed, seeking a declaratory judgment that Virginia's refusal to provide the election records upon a demand by the Attorney General violates Title III of the Civil Rights Act, and an order requiring the Commissioner to turn over Virginia’s computerized statewide voter registration list, with all fields, including each registrant’s full name, date of birth, residential address, and either their state driver’s license number, the last four digits of their Social Security number, or HAVA unique identifier. 

This case is ongoing. 

Summary Authors

Clearinghouse (1/17/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72156765/parties/united-states-v-beals/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Neff, Eric (Virginia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

3:26-cv-00042

Complaint

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72156765/united-states-v-beals/

Last updated Feb. 11, 2026, 12:09 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Complaint under Civil Rights Act of 1960, filed by UNITED STATES. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet)(Neff, Eric) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet

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Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

Clearinghouse
2

Proposed Summons re 1 Complaint by UNITED STATES (Neff, Eric) (Entered: 01/16/2026)

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

Initial Case Assignment

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

Initial Case Assignment to District Judge Roderick C. Young. (adun, )

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 2026

3

Summons Issued as to Susan Beals. NOTICE TO ATTORNEY: Please remove the headers and print two duplex copies of the Electronically issued summons for Defendant. Please serve one copy of the summons and a copy of the Complaint upon each Defendant. Please ensure that your process server returns the service copy (executed or unexecuted) to your attention. Electronically file the summons return using the filing events Summons Returned Executed or Summons Returned Unexecuted. Please ensure that the original summons page signed by the clerk is the first document to appear when filing the return of service. (adun, ) (Entered: 01/20/2026)

Jan. 20, 2026

Jan. 20, 2026

4

LOCAL CIVIL RULE 7(E) STANDING ORDER. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 7/16/2024. (adun, ) (Entered: 01/20/2026)

Jan. 20, 2026

Jan. 20, 2026

RECAP
5

STANDING ORDER IN RE COURTROOM ELECTRONICS. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 1/15/2025. (adun, ) (Entered: 01/20/2026)

Jan. 20, 2026

Jan. 20, 2026

6

MOTION to Intervene by NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, NAACP Virginia State Conference. (Branch, Aria) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

RECAP
7

Memorandum in Support re 6 MOTION to Intervene filed by NAACP Virginia State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Proposed Answer, # 2 Exhibit B - Declaration of Rev. Cozy E. Bailey, Sr., # 3 Exhibit C - Declaration of Anthony P. Ashton, # 4 Exhibit D - Order, U.S. v. Scanlan (D.N.H.))(Branch, Aria) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

1 Exhibit A - Proposed Answer

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2 Exhibit B - Declaration of Rev. Cozy E. Bailey, Sr.

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3 Exhibit C - Declaration of Anthony P. Ashton

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4 Exhibit D - Order, U.S. v. Scanlan (D.N.H.)

View on PACER

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

8

Corporate Disclosure Statement by NAACP Virginia State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. (Branch, Aria) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan. 26, 2026

Jan. 26, 2026

9

Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Richard A. Medina and Certification of Local Counsel Aria C. Branch Filing fee $ 75, receipt number AVAEDC-10738700. by NAACP Virginia State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. (Branch, Aria) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

Jan. 27, 2026

Jan. 27, 2026

10

Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Walker McKusick and Certification of Local Counsel Aria C. Branch Filing fee $ 75, receipt number AVAEDC-10738737. by NAACP Virginia State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. (Branch, Aria) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

Jan. 27, 2026

Jan. 27, 2026

11

Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Kevin R. Kowalewski and Certification of Local Counsel Aria C. Branch Filing fee $ 75, receipt number AVAEDC-10738765. by NAACP Virginia State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. (Branch, Aria) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

Jan. 27, 2026

Jan. 27, 2026

12

ORDER granting 9 Motion for Pro hac vice Richard Alexander Medina for NAACP Virginia State Conference and NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 1/30/2026. (adun, ) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

13

ORDER granting 10 Motion for Pro hac vice Walker Roy McKusick for NAACP Virginia State Conference and NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 1/30/2026. (adun, ) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

14

ORDER granting 11 Motion for Pro hac vice Kevin Ronald Kowalewski for NAACP Virginia State Conference and NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 1/30/2026. (adun, ) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

15

MOTION to Intervene (Unopposed) by Common Cause, Katherine Ellena. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Almeida Declaration, # 2 Exhibit B - Ellena Declaration, # 3 Proposed Order)(Rosborough, Davin) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

1 Exhibit A - Almeida Declaration

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2 Exhibit B - Ellena Declaration

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3 Proposed Order

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Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

16

Memorandum in Support re 15 MOTION to Intervene (Unopposed) filed by Common Cause, Katherine Ellena. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Motion to Dismiss, # 2 Exhibit 2 - Memorandum In Support of Motion to Dismiss, # 3 Exhibit A (to MTD Brief) - July 15 Letter, # 4 Exhibit B (to MTD Brief) - Dhillon Letters, # 5 Exhibit C (to MTD Brief) - Memorandum of Understanding, # 6 Exhibit D (to MTD Brief) - Weber Transcript)(Rosborough, Davin) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

1 Exhibit 1 - Motion to Dismiss

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2 Exhibit 2 - Memorandum In Support of Motion to Dismiss

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3 Exhibit A (to MTD Brief) - July 15 Letter

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4 Exhibit B (to MTD Brief) - Dhillon Letters

View on PACER

5 Exhibit C (to MTD Brief) - Memorandum of Understanding

View on PACER

6 Exhibit D (to MTD Brief) - Weber Transcript

View on PACER

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

17

Corporate Disclosure Statement by Common Cause, Katherine Ellena. (Rosborough, Davin) (Entered: 01/30/2026)

Jan. 30, 2026

Jan. 30, 2026

18

Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Ari Joseph Savitzky and Certification of Local Counsel Davin Rosborough Filing fee $ 75, receipt number AVAEDC-10758412. by Common Cause, Katherine Ellena. (Rosborough, Davin) (Main Document 18 replaced on 2/5/2026) (jenjones, ). (Entered: 02/04/2026)

Feb. 4, 2026

Feb. 4, 2026

RECAP
19

Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Patricia Yan and Certification of Local Counsel Davin Rosborough Filing fee $ 75, receipt number AVAEDC-10758511. by Common Cause, Katherine Ellena. (Rosborough, Davin) (Main Document 19 replaced on 2/5/2026) (jenjones, ). (Entered: 02/04/2026)

Feb. 4, 2026

Feb. 4, 2026

RECAP
20

Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Sophia Lin Lakin and Certification of Local Counsel Davin Rosborough Filing fee $ 75, receipt number AVAEDC-10758526. by Common Cause, Katherine Ellena. (Rosborough, Davin) (Main Document 20 replaced on 2/5/2026) (jenjones, ). (Entered: 02/04/2026)

Feb. 4, 2026

Feb. 4, 2026

RECAP
21

Motion to appear Pro Hac Vice by Theresa Jeane Lee and Certification of Local Counsel Davin Rosborough Filing fee $ 75, receipt number AVAEDC-10758548. by Common Cause, Katherine Ellena. (Rosborough, Davin) (Entered: 02/04/2026)

Feb. 4, 2026

Feb. 4, 2026

RECAP

Notice of Correction re 18, 19, 20 : Documents filed as PDF fillable forms. Filing attorney reminded to only upload standard PDFs. Clerk has corrected. No further action needed. (jenjones, )

Feb. 5, 2026

Feb. 5, 2026

Notice of Correction

Feb. 5, 2026

Feb. 5, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Virginia

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 16, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Virginia Department of Elections, State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights Act of 1957/1960, 52 U.S.C. § 10101 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1971)

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Virginia 3:26-cv-00042

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Document/Information

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Voting:

Access to Voter Rolls / Voter Information