The Virginia governor’s office is embroiled in a legal battle with the Department of Justice (DOJ) over efforts to remove noncitizens from the state’s voter rolls. The DOJ has filed a lawsuit against Governor Glenn Youngkin, alleging that his executive order violated the National Voter Registration Act by requiring the removal of individuals identified as noncitizens.
According to the complaint, Virginia has removed over 6,000 individuals between January 2022 and July 2024 based on their citizenship status. The DOJ argues that this systematic voter removal program violates the Quiet Period Provision, which mandates that states complete their maintenance program at least 90 days before an election.
The Justice Department is seeking injunctive relief to allow impacted eligible voters to cast their ballots unimpeded on Election Day and prevent future violations of the quiet period. In response, the governor’s office has defended the state’s actions, citing a law signed in 2006 that requires the removal of noncitizens from voter rolls.
The memo from the governor’s office emphasizes that Virginia’s process of voter removal has been carried out under both Republican and Democratic administrations. It argues that the state conducts an individualized review, as mandated by law, to correct registration records and that the 90-day quiet period is not applicable.
The ongoing legal dispute reflects broader concerns about noncitizen voting and election integrity. The DOJ recently sued Alabama over similar voter purging practices, while Republican lawmakers have pushed for legislation to address the issue of noncitizen voting.
Amidst these developments, the DOJ announced charges against an illegal immigrant for voter fraud and identity theft. The clash between federal and state authorities underscores the complexities surrounding voter registration and the protection of election integrity.
