In Alexandria, Virginia, over 1,600 residents have experienced cancellations of their voter registrations since August, a situation that has sparked concerns from the Justice Department and various advocacy groups who argue that the process is unlawful.
This revelation regarding the extent of the cancellations came to light this week when a federal magistrate mandated the state to provide these figures in the context of a federal lawsuit.
The Justice Department has brought forth a lawsuit accusing Virginia of breaching federal law through the routine dismissal of individuals purported to be noncitizens from the voter lists, specifically during a 90-day period referred to as a “quiet period” prior to the upcoming November elections.
The quiet period is intended to prevent inadvertent disenfranchisement of legitimate voters leading up to the election, allowing for corrections to be made in any necessary cases.
Prior to this disclosure, the number of voters removed from the rolls as part of an initiative started by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin—via an executive order issued in August—was not fully known until now.
On Monday, a federal magistrate instructed the state to release the names and addresses of everyone purged from the voter registry to the plaintiff groups involved in the lawsuit, which includes the Justice Department and the League of Women Voters.
Aaron Baird, a representative from Protect Democracy, one of the organizations assisting in the lawsuit alongside the League, reported on Wednesday that the recent data released under the magistrate’s order confirms the removal of over 1,600 voters after the 90-day quiet period should have started.
Baird stated that while attorneys continue to evaluate the data, they have already identified numerous naturalized citizens who were mistakenly removed from the rolls.
The state defends its actions by stating that the cancellations occur only after voters voluntarily disclose their noncitizen status to the Department of Motor Vehicles. They also assert that any individual marked for removal receives a notification and has a fortnight to contest their removal if they believe it is an error.
A hearing is set for Thursday in Alexandria regarding a request from the Justice Department for an injunction that would potentially halt the program and reinstate those whose registrations have been canceled.
In legal filings, state attorneys argue that imposing an injunction would unnecessarily interfere with Virginia’s election procedures.
During media discussions, Governor Youngkin has expressed skepticism toward the Justice Department’s motivations behind the lawsuit, asking rhetorically how, as governor, he could permit noncitizens to remain on the voter rolls.
Virginia boasts nearly 6 million registered voters.
This situation mirrors a similar case in Alabama, where last week a federal judge instructed the state to reinstate the eligibility of more than 3,200 voters classified as ineligible noncitizens. Evidence from state officials indicated that approximately 2,000 of the 3,251 voters listed as inactive were indeed legally registered citizens.