Student, 16, allegedly approached to complete voter registration form

A Warrenton resident posted to Facebook and X on Sept. 12 concerning a Briar Woods High School student who was allegedly approached by a teacher and asked that she fill out a voter registration form. According to the post, the student was 16 years old.

Jamie Hinkle, the Fauquier chapter chair of Moms for Liberty, lives in Fauquier County. Her post on X has garnered more than 1.2 million views with many people commenting on the post.

"I am very close personal friends with this mother," Hinkle said in an interview. "The student came home and showed the form to her mother and stated that she was told by her teacher that it was mandatory to bring it back the following day filled out. The mother refused to have her daughter fill out the form and did not return it. She instead reached out to Kari Labell on the School Board to let her know what had occurred. At this time, I believe she is still waiting to hear back from Labell to see if there is an official school system policy concerning third party organizations coming into schools and soliciting students like this before going to the principal of the school."

LaBell represents the Catoctin District on the Loudoun County School Board. Briar Woods High School is in Ashburn.

The mother and student are not being identified in this story to protect their privacy.

According to Virginia law, any person who is otherwise qualified and is 16 years of age or older, but who will not be 18 years of age on or before the day of the next general election, may preregister to vote. This preregistration shall not entitle a person 16 years of age or older to vote in any election except as provided in § 24.2-403. Virginia residents cannot vote in presidential elections until they are 18.

Some Loudoun County public schools participate in voter drives in cooperation with the Loudoun County Office of Elections and the League of Women Voters, said LCPS Spokeswoman Natalie Allen.

"National teen voter registration day was Tuesday. The teacher caught her attention when [the student] walked out of the restroom in the hallway on 9/11 and it continued Thursday, enlisting students to pass out registration forms for free bracelets and popcorn. She did not voluntarily walk up to a table. She is SIXTEEN and can’t vote for two years. AND no parents were notified that someone was collecting personal information or that an organization was coming into the school," Hinkle said.

She further stated that the teacher allegedly told the student the voter registration form would be submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles, though it was not clear this student even had a driving permit. When individuals apply for a permit or license, they have the option to sign up to vote themselves through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Reaction from community

"I would raise hell with the school over this. The teacher's job is to teach, not register voters. She should be fired, or at least suspended for a while," said Robert Wilson.

LaDonna Combs agreed: "That is bad & parents need to question school officials."

"Every parent should advise their minor children to NEVER provide their social security number to anyone without first discussing it with them," chimed in another.

Yet others on the social media posts insinuated that Hinkle was making up the post and questioned if it was politically motivated.

"Hey get real, Jamie. A 16 year old doesn't even know their social. This is so old," said one commenter on X.

Mark Layton said, "Your angry because they are registering kids to vote? You want parents permission for that?"