A legal battle unfolds as Virginia's long-standing voter roll law faces a challenge from the Department of Justice.
As reported by Breitbart News, Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia has staunchly defended a state law that removes noncitizens from voter rolls, describing it as "common sense" in the face of a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Republican Governor Youngkin criticized the federal government's legal action during a "Fox News Sunday" appearance, questioning its timing and motivation.
The 2006 law, enacted under Democratic Governor Tim Kaine, allows noncitizens to be removed from voter rolls based on their own declarations at the DMV. Youngkin clarified that this is an individualized process, not a broad purge.
Youngkin detailed the procedure, explaining that when someone identifies as a noncitizen at the DMV and subsequently appears on voter rolls, they are given a 14-day window to affirm their citizenship. If no affirmation is received, their name is removed from the rolls. He stressed that this process includes safeguards, such as the option for same-day registration and provisional ballot casting.
The governor clarified the nature of the process, stating:
To be clear, this is not a purge. This is based on a law that was signed into effect in 2006 by then-Democrat Gov. Tim Kaine. And it starts with a basic premise that when someone walks into one of our DMVs and self-identifies as a noncitizen, and then they end up on the voter rolls, either purposely or by accident, that we go through a process, individualized – not system, not systematic – an individualized process based on that person's self-identification as a noncitizen.
Youngkin expressed frustration with the DOJ's decision to file a lawsuit against Virginia, particularly given the law's long-standing implementation by both Republican and Democratic administrations. He pointed out that the Justice Department had previously approved the law in 2006, deeming it constitutional.
The timing of the lawsuit, just weeks before an election, has raised eyebrows and led to speculation about the DOJ's motivations. Youngkin suggested that the legal action might be politically motivated, given Virginia's status as a battleground state in the upcoming election.
He criticized the abrupt change in the Justice Department's stance on a law that has been consistently applied for nearly two decades. The governor argued that this sudden shift undermines public trust in the DOJ's impartiality and commitment to fair electoral processes.
Youngkin elaborated on his concerns:
Back in 2006, the then-Justice Department actually approved of this law and said that it is not only further constitutional, but we have given it thorough review, and we're OK with you moving ahead with it. Now, 25 days last week before the election, a Justice Department decides they are going to bring suit after this law has been in effect for 18 years, administered by Democrat and Republican governors. And this is the reason why I believe that Americans and Virginians wonder what the Justice Department is up to.
Youngkin reiterated his belief in the importance of ensuring that only citizens participate in U.S. elections. He emphasized the fundamental principle that voting rights should be reserved for citizens, framing the law as a necessary measure to maintain the integrity of the electoral system.
The governor succinctly stated his position: "It is common sense. Listen, elections in the United States should be decided by citizens."
Governor Youngkin's defense of the law and his criticism of the DOJ's actions reflect the heightened tensions surrounding election laws and procedures in the current political climate. The resolution of this case may set important precedents for similar laws in other states and shape the landscape of voter registration practices across the country.
