(ProsperNews.net) – The recent lawsuit by the Biden-Harris Department of Justice (DOJ) against Virginia challenges Governor Glenn Youngkin’s enforcement of a state law designed to prevent noncitizens from being added to Virginia’s voter rolls. This law, enacted in 2007 by then-Governor Tim Kaine and previously cleared by the DOJ under the Voting Rights Act, has been enforced by both Republican and Democratic administrations over the past 18 years.
The DOJ’s lawsuit, filed on October 11, hinges on what it describes as a violation of the “Quiet Period” requirement in federal election law. This provision restricts changes to voter rolls within 90 days of an election to prevent potential errors that could disenfranchise eligible voters. Youngkin issued his directive exactly 90 days before the upcoming November election, instructing the Virginia Department of Elections to remove ineligible individuals, including over 6,000 noncitizens and nearly 80,000 deceased individuals identified on state voter rolls between January 2022 and July 2024.
Virginia’s procedure to verify citizenship status includes sending notices to individuals flagged as potential noncitizens based on DMV data, requiring them to confirm their citizenship within 14 days to remain on the voter rolls. The DOJ’s lawsuit contends that this verification process risks mistakenly removing legitimate voters who might not respond within the specified timeframe. Youngkin, however, claims the lawsuit is politically motivated, asserting that the law safeguards Virginia’s electoral integrity by ensuring that only eligible citizens are registered.
This lawsuit highlights a significant tension between state and federal authorities over election laws and practices, with Virginia’s administration arguing the measure enhances election security while the DOJ raises concerns over potential voter disenfranchisement.
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