ALEXANDRIA, Virginia
A federal judge has ordered Virginia to stop removing what are believed to be potential non-citizens from the state’s voter rolls. This decision is expected to restore the voting rights of around 1,600 residents just days before the upcoming elections.
The ruling comes from U.S. Judge Patricia Giles, who issued a preliminary injunction on Friday. She found that the removal of these individuals from the voter rolls was conducted in a systematic manner, violating federal law. The judge’s decision follows a lawsuit from the Department of Justice (DOJ) that claimed Virginia’s actions were against the National Voter Registration Act, which safeguards eligible voters’ rights.
Background of the Case
At the heart of the situation is an executive order signed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in August. This order allowed the state to perform daily updates to its voter rolls by comparing the records of non-citizens from the Department of Motor Vehicles with registered voters. As a result, individuals identified as non-citizens were notified that their registrations might be canceled unless they provided proof of citizenship within 14 days.
Youngkin’s team claimed that the voter removals were legal, referencing a similar law from 2006. However, Judge Giles expressed concerns over the process itself, noting that it had resulted in mistakes that affected eligible voters. “This process has resulted in eligible voters having their voting registration flagged,” Giles stated while issuing the injunction.
Reaction from Officials
Youngkin reacted strongly to the judge’s ruling, describing it as a stunning decision that reversed the state’s actions. He emphasized that his administration plans to appeal the ruling, potentially all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary. He stated, “This is a stunning ruling by a federal judge who is ordering Virginia to reinstate individuals who have self-identified as noncitizens back on the voter rolls.”
Youngkin continued to defend the removals, stressing that they were done through a legal and justified process. His administration is now preparing to file an emergency stay with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to contest the judge’s decision, which he believes undermines Virginia’s voting laws.
Concerns from the Justice Department
The DOJ’s lawsuit filed on October 11 highlighted that the systematic removals occurred too close to the election date, which is against federal regulations that call for a 90-day quiet period before elections. Justice Department officials pointed out that it’s crucial for states to uphold federal laws while trying to maintain the integrity of the voting process.
The DOJ’s filing mentioned, “States may remove names from official lists of voters in various ways, but they may not carry on this kind of systematic removal program so close to a federal election.”
Next Steps
As Election Day approaches, the state faces increasing pressure to clarify its voting procedures and ensure that eligible voters are not caught up in discrepancies. Youngkin’s team argues that their voter verification process is essential for maintaining election integrity, but they also concede that mistakes can occur and need to be addressed properly.
As the situation develops, many are left wondering how it will impact the upcoming elections and what measures will be taken to protect voter rights in Virginia.
In this contentious arena of voter rights and election integrity, both state and federal authorities are carefully navigating the legal landscape to ensure compliance and uphold the democratic process.
