DOJ sues Virginia for purging voter rolls too close to Election Day

THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA IS RESPONDING AFTER THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUED THE STATE OVER ITS PURGING OF PEOPLE WITHOUT PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP FROM VOTER ROLLS.

THIS CASE ADDING TO A GROWING NATIONAL DEBATE –

OVER HOW TO CONDUCT SECURE ELECTIONS WHILE ENSURING PEOPLE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE CAN EASILY DO SO.

IN AUGUST – GOVERNOR GLENN YOUNKIN ORDERED THE ELECTION COMMISSIONER TO REGULARLY UPDATE THE STATE’S VOTER LISTS TO REMOVE PEOPLE “IDENTIFIED AS NONCITIZENS”.

THOSE PEOPLE ARE NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND HAVE A 14-DAY WINDOW TO PROVIDE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP –

IF THEY DON’T – THEN THEY’RE REMOVED.

THE DOJ CLAIMS VIRGINIA IS IN VIOLATION OF THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT –

WHICH DOESN’T ALLOW STATES TO CONDUCT VOTER-ROLL-MAINTENANCE WITHIN 90 DAYS OF AN ELECTION.

THE DOJ IS SEEKING A COURT ORDER TO RESTORE VOTING RIGHTS TO THOSE AFFECTED.

BUT THE GOVERNOR IS CALLING IT AN “UNPRECEDENTED LAWSUIT” THAT TARGETS THE STATE FOR “APPROPRIATELY ENFORCING VIRGINIA LAW.”

IT’S UNCLEAR HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM VOTER ROLLS SINCE YOUNGKIN’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN AUGUST.

FROM 2022 TO JULY OF THIS YEAR – MORE THAN 6 THOUSAND PEOPLE WITH NO CITIZENSHIP PROOF WERE REMOVED FROM VOTER ROLLS IN THE STATE.

THIS WAS BASED ON THEIR RESPONSES TO CITIZENSHIP QUESTIONS AT THE DMV.

IT’S UNCLEAR HOW MANY OF THOSE WERE NONCITIZENS.

THERE’S BEEN A PUSH BY RED STATES TO VET THEIR VOTER ROLLS FOR NONCITIZENS.

STATES LIKE TEXAS REMOVED 6 THOUSAND 500 NONCITIZENS FROM ITS VOTER ROLLS SINCE 2021.

AND ALABAMA IDENTIFIED MORE THAN 3 THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS ON VOTER ROLLS WHO HAD BEEN ISSUED NONCITIZEN IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ALSO SUED ALABAMA FOR REMOVING PEOPLE WITHIN 90 DAYS OF AN ELECTION.

WE’LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE LEGAL BATTLE AS IT PLAYS OUT.

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