Judge Allows Discriminatory Law Largely Impacting Youth Voters

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 26, 2026) — Despite clear evidence of harm to young voters, a federal judge declined to block North Carolina’s Senate Bill 747 (SB 747), which makes it easier for lawful ballots cast during early voting to be thrown out through no fault of the voter. The decision allows new barriers to participation in elections, particularly with regard to students, to remain in place.  

In October 2025, plaintiffs Democracy North Carolina, North Carolina Black Alliance, and League of Women Voters of North Carolina — represented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) and pro bono counsel Steptoe LLP and McDermott Will & Schulte LLP — addressed the barriers to voting created by SB 747 in a federal trial.   

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas D. Schroeder released a decision today finding the law constitutional, stating SB 747 does not violate the Twenty-Sixth, First, or Fourteenth Amendments, and that any burden the law imposes on voters is minimal. 

Read the decision here.   

SB 747, passed in October 2023, increased the likelihood that ballots would be disqualified due to mail deliverability issues, creating obstacles for young voters, voters of color, elderly voters, and low-income voters, among others. Plaintiffs promptly filed suit challenging aspects of SB 747 on multiple grounds, including discrimination on the basis of age given the harsh impact the law would have on youth voters and the anti-youth rhetoric surrounding its passage.  

Litigation documents revealed a months-long influence campaign by conservative operatives aimed at reshaping North Carolina’s election laws to target young voters, particularly mobile college students, despite no evidence of widespread voter fraud.  

“This decision will have devastating consequences for our electoral system for decades to come,” said Adrianne Spoto, Counsel for Voting Rights at SCSJ. “When young voters casting their first ballots see them rejected for technical snafus, it creates lasting barriers to participation and jeopardizes their lifelong civic engagement.” 

“Time and again we have seen lawmakers underestimate, underappreciate, and ultimately attack our state’s incredible student voter bloc,” said Adrienne Kelly, Executive Director of Democracy North Carolina. “Today’s deeply disappointing decision is sadly no surprise given these systemic efforts to silence young voices, particularly from communities of color, by any means necessary. It is insulting to spit in the face of our constitution with such a blatantly anti-democratic act. But our resolve to protect young voters is stronger than ever, and we shall continue working alongside our movement partners in this effort. Whatever it takes.”    

“This ruling is a blow to North Carolina voters and a step backward for our democracy,” said Jennifer Rubin, President of the League of Women Voters of North Carolina. “By upholding these restrictive changes to Same Day Registration, this decision will disenfranchise countless eligible voters through a flawed, discriminatory process. The League of Women Voters of North Carolina will continue to help inform our citizens about how to use SDR and all methods of voter registration so that North Carolinians can have their say at the ballot box.”  

“Today’s decision upholds a law that is a direct attack on the freedom to vote,” said Caren Short, director of legal and research for the League of Women Voters. “Instead of removing barriers, this decision allows North Carolina to continue to erect unnecessary barriers to voting. The League is proud to continue fighting against all forms of voter suppression, including in North Carolina, and we will continue to stand up for voters in the courts, in the statehouses, and in the streets.”  

“This decades-long battle over college students’ voting power is far from over. Today’s ruling deepens our resolve to ensure that the fundamental right to vote is not dissolved through legislative or judicial partisanship,” said Marcus Bass, Deputy Director of North Carolina Black Alliance. “The judge’s decision to side with the hyper-partisan legislature was expected, which means we must work earlier and harder to ensure that no one is denied the right to vote because of a technicality in varying mail procedures on college campuses that may prevent a student from verifying their residence. There are other ways for election officials to work with campuses to prevent this from denying students who choose to live on campus their right to vote, and we will continue to support and identify ways to ensure that every voter is registered and every vote cast is protected.” 

###  

Southern Coalition for Social Justice, founded in 2007, partners with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities in the South to defend and advance their political, social, and economic rights through the combination of legal advocacy, research, organizing, and communications. Learn more at southerncoalition.org and follow our work on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  

North Carolina Black Alliance (NCBA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works toward state-level transformative change by fostering intentional collaboration with Black elected officials, community partners and progressive grassroots organizations. Our core work focuses on voting rights, environmental justice, criminal justice reform, access to health care, education equality and economic empowerment. Learn more at www.ncblackalliance.org.    

Democracy North Carolina is a statewide nonpartisan organization that strengthens democratic structures, builds power among disenfranchised communities, and inspires confidence in a transformed political process that works for all. Learn more at www.democracync.org.      

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering everyone to fully participate in our democracy. With active Leagues in all 50 states and more than 750 Leagues across the country, we engage in advocacy, education, litigation, and organizing to protect every American’s freedom to vote. Learn more at lwv.org.