(LibertySociety.com) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the State of Virginia, the Virginia State Board of Elections, and the Virginia Commissioner of Elections, challenging the enforcement of a 2006 state law that removes non-citizens from voter lists. The DOJ argues that this enforcement violates Section 8(c)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993, commonly known as the Quiet Period Provision.
This provision mandates that systematic programs to remove ineligible voters from registration lists be completed at least 90 days before federal elections to avoid confusion or error-prone last-minute efforts. The DOJ contends that Virginia’s actions, coming within this quiet period, place qualified voters at risk of being improperly removed from the rolls.
The lawsuit follows an Executive Order from Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in August, which required all registrars to remove non-citizens who had improperly registered to vote by falsely claiming citizenship. Youngkin’s administration had also removed nearly 80,000 deceased voters and over 6,300 non-citizens from voter lists between January 2022 and July 2024.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the importance of the Quiet Period Provision, stating that removing voters too close to an election could lead to errors and potentially disenfranchise legitimate voters. Governor Youngkin, in response, criticized the lawsuit as politically motivated and defended the state’s actions, arguing that they were legally required under a law signed by former Governor Tim Kaine.
Youngkin vowed to defend the state’s enforcement of the law, assuring the public that Virginia’s elections would remain secure and fair. The case reflects broader tensions around voter registration and election security leading up to the upcoming presidential election.
Copyright 2024, LibertySociety.com
