DOJ Takes Virginia to Court Over Pre-Election Voter Purge
In a surprising turn of events, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Virginia. The legal action centers on the state’s recent removal of non-citizens from its voter rolls, which has sparked a heated debate about election integrity and voter rights.
The Heart of the Matter
The DOJ claims Virginia broke federal law by cleaning up its voter lists too close to Election Day. They say this goes against the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). This law says states must finish updating their voter lists at least 90 days before an election. This rule is known as the Quiet Period Provision.
The lawsuit points the finger at Virginia’s Board of Elections and its Commissioner, Susan Beals. It also takes aim at Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order, which told officials to update voter lists regularly and remove people tagged as non-citizens.
The Numbers Game
Under Youngkin’s order, Virginia has taken 6,303 people off its voter rolls. The state identified these individuals as possible non-citizens based on their answers to citizenship questions at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Youngkin Fires Back
Governor Youngkin isn’t taking this lying down. He calls the lawsuit “politically motivated” and defends his actions. Youngkin says they’re just following a 2006 law signed by a Democrat governor. This law requires Virginia to remove non-citizens from voter lists.
“Virginians – and Americans – will see this for exactly what it is: a desperate attempt to attack the legitimacy of the elections in the Commonwealth, the very crucible of American Democracy,” Youngkin stated.
The governor promises to fight back. He vows to use every resource to defend “commonsense steps” to ensure a secure and fair election.
Political Ripples
This lawsuit isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a more significant trend of the DOJ challenging state voting practices. Just recently, they sued Alabama over a similar voter purge program.
Some politicians are crying foul. Senator Mike Lee of Utah calls the DOJ’s actions “election interference.” He accuses the Biden-Harris administration of harassing states that are trying to keep non-citizens from voting.
What Does the DOJ Want?
The Justice Department isn’t just looking to stop the voter purge. They’re asking for several remedies:
- Restore voting rights to those affected
- Stop future violations of the Quiet Period Provision
- Send out information to educate eligible voters about their rights
- Better train local officials and poll workers
The Bigger Picture
This case raises important questions about the balance between maintaining accurate voter rolls and protecting voting rights. It also highlights the tension between state and federal control over elections.
As Election Day approaches, all eyes will be on Virginia. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching effects on how states manage their voter lists in the future.
For now, Virginia voters are caught in the middle of a high-stakes legal battle. With the election just around the corner, time is of the essence. Both sides are digging in for what promises to be a fierce fight over who gets to cast a ballot in the Commonwealth.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. The courts will have the final say, but one thing’s for sure – this case will significantly impact Virginia’s upcoming election.
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