DOJ Sues Virginia Over Alleged Illegal Voter Purges Before Federal Election

The Justice Department has sued Virginia over alleged illegal voter purges, sparking a heated debate on election integrity.

At a Glance

• DOJ sues Virginia for updating voter rolls within 90 days of an election, claiming it violates federal law
• Lawsuit challenges Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order to remove non-citizens from voter lists
• Virginia officials assert the purges are legal and necessary for maintaining accurate voter rolls
• Critics argue the process lacks proper verification and could disproportionately affect minority communities

DOJ Takes Legal Action Against Virginia

The Biden administration’s Justice Department has launched a legal assault on Virginia’s efforts to maintain accurate voter rolls. The lawsuit accuses the state of conducting unlawful voter registration purges, directly challenging Governor Glenn Youngkin’s initiative to enhance election integrity by removing non-citizens from voter lists. The DOJ claims these purges violate the National Voter Registration Act, particularly its “Quiet Period Provision” which prohibits systematic voter list maintenance within 90 days of a federal election.

The Justice Department argues that Virginia’s actions have likely confused, deterred, and removed U.S. citizens who are fully eligible to vote. This legal challenge highlights the ongoing tension between federal oversight and state authority in managing elections, particularly as we approach the next federal election cycle.

The DOJ lawsuit argues that Virginia is in violation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 over its efforts to purge voter rolls within 90 days of an election. https://t.co/CJHNuHmu6U

— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) October 12, 2024

Virginia’s Defense and Concerns

Governor Youngkin and Virginia officials assert that the voter list updates are both legal and essential for maintaining accurate voter rolls. They argue that federal law does not prohibit the removal of non-citizens from voting lists and that the process involves individualized reviews rather than systematic purges.

“Federal law does not prohibit the removal of noncitizens from the voting rolls,” the memo said, adding that the 90-day “quiet period” under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) is “not relevant to this process since Virginia conducts an individualized — not systematic — review per Virginia law in order to correct registration records.” –Youngkin

However, concerns have been raised about the accuracy and fairness of the purge process. A previous voter list update in Prince William County showed discrepancies, misidentifying 43 out of 162 supposed non-citizens. Critics argue that the process lacks proper verification and could disproportionately affect minority and low-income communities, potentially leading to wrongful voter cancellations.

“The DOJ’s lawsuit argues that Virginia’s voter list maintenance efforts violate the National Voter Registration Act’s "Quiet Period Provision," which prohibits states from conducting systematic voter roll removals within 90 days of an election.”https://t.co/99rMCwHIBK

— Jim Lokay (@Lokay) October 12, 2024

Political Implications and Broader Debate

Governor Youngkin has denounced the lawsuit as politically motivated and an attack on election integrity efforts. The legal action has drawn attention from both sides of the political aisle, with former President Trump voicing support for Youngkin and criticizing the DOJ’s actions.

“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 said.

This legal battle is part of a broader national debate over election security measures and voter access. While some argue for stricter controls to prevent potential fraud, others warn that overzealous purges could disenfranchise eligible voters. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how states manage their voter rolls and balance election integrity with voter rights protection.

Sources:

1. Voter purge lawsuits add to disenfranchisement allegations against Youngkin administration
2. US Justice Department sues Virginia for purging voters before election
3. Justice Department sues Virginia over effort to reduce voter rolls close to Election Day
4. Justice Department Sues Virginia for Violating Federal Law’s Prohibition on Systematic Efforts to Remove Voters Within 90 Days of an Election
5. Justice Dept. sues Virginia over program aimed at eliminating voters