State officials have stood by the removals of over 1,600 individuals from voter rolls in Virginia, citing noncitizen self-identification at the Department of Motor Vehicles. The removals, part of a program targeting noncitizens, have sparked legal challenges from the Department of Justice and advocacy groups who argue that the program is illegal.
The scope of the removals came to light after a federal magistrate ordered the state to disclose the names and addresses of those removed to plaintiff groups. Governor Glen Youngkin announced the program in August as part of an executive order aimed at enhancing election security. The DOJ filed a lawsuit alleging that the program violates the National Voter Registration Act’s 90-day “quiet period” before an election.
The DOJ has requested an injunction to halt the program and restore the registrations of those removed. The state has opposed the injunction, arguing that it would interfere with Virginia’s election procedures. Youngkin has defended the executive order, stating that it is based on a 2006 state law directing the DMV to update the state Board of Elections with information on individuals who fail to prove their citizenship status.
Attorney General Jason Miyares supported this argument, contending that the self-reporting of noncitizen status at the DMV is done on an individual basis and does not constitute a systematic process. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday in Alexandria.
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