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

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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…

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-koski/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Neff, Eric (Virginia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Neff, Eric (Virginia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 3:26-cv-00042	Complaint	Jan. 16, 2026	Jan. 16, 2026 Complaint

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Docket

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

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:17 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Jan. 16, 2026	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 View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Jan. 16, 2026	Proposed Summons re 1 Complaint by UNITED STATES (Neff, Eric) (Entered: 01/16/2026)	RECAP
	Jan. 16, 2026	Initial Case Assignment
	Jan. 16, 2026	Initial Case Assignment to District Judge Roderick C. Young. (adun, )
3	Jan. 20, 2026	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)	RECAP
4	Jan. 20, 2026	LOCAL CIVIL RULE 7(E) STANDING ORDER. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 7/16/2024. (adun, ) (Entered: 01/20/2026)	RECAP
5	Jan. 20, 2026	STANDING ORDER IN RE COURTROOM ELECTRONICS. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 1/15/2025. (adun, ) (Entered: 01/20/2026)	RECAP
6	Jan. 26, 2026	MOTION to Intervene by NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, NAACP Virginia State Conference. (Branch, Aria) (Entered: 01/26/2026)	RECAP
7	Jan. 26, 2026	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 View on PACER 2 Exhibit B - Declaration of Rev. Cozy E. Bailey, Sr. View on PACER 3 Exhibit C - Declaration of Anthony P. Ashton View on PACER 4 Exhibit D - Order, U.S. v. Scanlan (D.N.H.) View on PACER	RECAP
8	Jan. 26, 2026	Corporate Disclosure Statement by NAACP Virginia State Conference, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. (Branch, Aria) (Entered: 01/26/2026)	RECAP
9	Jan. 27, 2026	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)	RECAP
10	Jan. 27, 2026	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)	RECAP
11	Jan. 27, 2026	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)	RECAP
12	Jan. 30, 2026	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)	RECAP
13	Jan. 30, 2026	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)	RECAP
14	Jan. 30, 2026	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)	RECAP
15	Jan. 30, 2026	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 View on PACER 2 Exhibit B - Ellena Declaration View on PACER 3 Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
16	Jan. 30, 2026	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 View on PACER 2 Exhibit 2 - Memorandum In Support of Motion to Dismiss View on PACER 3 Exhibit A (to MTD Brief) - July 15 Letter View on PACER 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	RECAP
17	Jan. 30, 2026	Corporate Disclosure Statement by Common Cause, Katherine Ellena. (Rosborough, Davin) (Entered: 01/30/2026)	RECAP
18	Feb. 4, 2026	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)	RECAP
19	Feb. 4, 2026	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)	RECAP
20	Feb. 4, 2026	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)	RECAP
21	Feb. 4, 2026	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)	RECAP
	Feb. 5, 2026	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	Notice of Correction
22	Feb. 12, 2026	ORDER granting 18 Motion for Ari Joseph Savitzky to appear as Pro Hac Vice for Common Cause and for Katherine Ellena. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 2/12/2026. (sbea) (Entered: 02/12/2026)	RECAP
23	Feb. 12, 2026	ORDER granting 19 Motion for Patricia Yan to appear as Pro Hac Vice for Common Cause and Katherine Ellena. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 2/12/2026. (sbea) (Entered: 02/12/2026)	RECAP
24	Feb. 12, 2026	ORDER granting 20 Motion for Sophia Lin Lakin to appear as Pro Hac Vice for Common Cause and Katherine Ellena. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 2/12/2026. (sbea) (Entered: 02/12/2026)	RECAP
25	Feb. 12, 2026	ORDER granting 21 Motion for Theresa Jeane Lee to appear as Pro Hac Vice for Common Cause and Katherine Ellena. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 2/12/2026. (sbea) (Entered: 02/12/2026)	RECAP
26	March 18, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by John Casali on behalf of United States Of America (Casali, John) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	RECAP
27	March 19, 2026	MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by United States Of America. (Casali, John) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	RECAP
28	March 19, 2026	AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Parties, filed by United States Of America.(Casali, John) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	RECAP
29	March 19, 2026	Proposed Summons by United States Of America (Casali, John) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	RECAP
30	March 19, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Raymond Yang on behalf of United States Of America (Yang, Raymond) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	RECAP
31	March 19, 2026	Summons Issued as to Steven Koski. 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: 03/19/2026)	RECAP
32	April 14, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Jonathan Holland Hambrick on behalf of United States Of America (Hambrick, Jonathan) (Entered: 04/14/2026)	RECAP
33	April 14, 2026	SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States Of America Steven Koski served on 4/13/2026, answer due 5/4/2026 (Casali, John) (Entered: 04/14/2026)	RECAP
34	April 15, 2026	ORDER - The Court DIRECTS Defendant to enter an appearance and file a notice of its position on the pending Motions to Intervene on or before April 22, 2026. The Clerk is DIRECTED to send a copy of this Order to counsel of record for the United States and proposed intervenors. The United States Marshals Service SHALL serve a copy of this Order on Defendant at the following address as soon as is practicable. Copy of Order placed in USMS box for service. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 4/15/26. (mful, ) (Additional attachment(s) added on 4/15/2026: # 1 USM 285) (mful, ). (Entered: 04/15/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Virginia

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Voting/Election Law

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

State

Virginia Department of Elections

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

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of United States v. Beals, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/47691/ (last updated 1/17/2026).