A federal judge has intervened to stop a voter roll purge program in Virginia that targeted individuals suspected of being noncitizens. The program, which resulted in the removal of approximately 1,600 people from the voter rolls, was found to be in violation of federal law by US District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles.
Judge Giles ruled in favor of the Biden administration and private groups who challenged the program, citing that systematic removals from the voter rolls within 90 days of a federal election are prohibited by law. She emphasized the need for individualized inquiries in such cases, stating that Virginia's approach lacked this crucial element.
The legal challenge presented evidence that citizens were erroneously removed from the voter rolls under Virginia's system, prompting Judge Giles to order the restoration of these individuals' registrations. This ruling follows a recent Justice Department victory in a similar case involving Alabama's purge program conducted close to a federal election.
Despite concerns raised by the state's lawyers about potential noncitizens being reinstated on the voter rolls, Judge Giles stood firm in her decision, emphasizing the importance of evidence over mere beliefs. The issue of noncitizens voting has been a contentious topic among Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, although documented cases of noncitizens voting are exceedingly rare.
In a recent audit conducted in Georgia, only 20 registered non-citizens were identified out of 8.2 million individuals on the voter rolls, with just nine of them having cast votes. The ruling by Judge Giles serves as a significant development in safeguarding the voting rights of individuals in Virginia and upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
