The U.S. Department of Justice has taken legal action against Virginia election officials, alleging that the state violated federal election law by removing names from voter rolls. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, claims that an executive order issued by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin in August, mandating daily updates to voter lists to eliminate ineligible voters, breaches federal law.
The National Voter Registration Act stipulates a 90-day 'quiet period' before elections for voter roll maintenance. Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized that this provision aims to prevent last-minute actions that could disenfranchise qualified voters, safeguarding the cornerstone of democracy - the right to vote.
Another lawsuit, filed by a coalition of immigrant-rights groups and the League of Women Voters, echoes concerns about the removal of names from voter rolls.
The Justice Department's lawsuit argues that the quiet-period rule minimizes the risk of disenfranchising eligible voters by allowing ample time to rectify any errors before elections. Governor Youngkin's order, issued 90 days before the upcoming federal election, formalized a process to remove individuals deemed 'unable to verify citizenship' from the voter registration list.
Virginia election officials are utilizing data from the Department of Motor Vehicles to ascertain voter citizenship and eligibility. The lawsuit contends that this data may be inaccurate or outdated, with officials allegedly failing to verify a person's noncitizen status before canceling their voter eligibility.
In response, Governor Youngkin defended the state's enforcement of laws requiring the removal of noncitizens from voter rolls, characterizing the Justice Department's lawsuit as an attack on election legitimacy. He pledged to defend these actions vigorously to ensure secure and fair elections in Virginia.
Nationally, conservative groups have raised concerns about voter registrations ahead of the November election, with the Republican National Committee actively involved in challenging voter rolls. The legal battle between the Justice Department and Virginia election officials underscores the ongoing debate over election integrity and voter eligibility.
