Youngkin Criticizes DOJ Voter Roll Lawsuit as ‘Politically Driven’

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Virginia, alleging that the state has breached federal law by systematically removing voters from its rolls within 90 days of an election. This action has drawn sharp criticism from Governor Glenn Youngkin, who labels the lawsuit as politically motivated and an unprecedented attack on the integrity of Virginia’s election process.

DOJ’s Allegations

The DOJ’s lawsuit targets Virginia’s enforcement of a law enacted in 2006 intended to eliminate noncitizens from the voter rolls. The federal agency contends that the state’s practices violate the National Voter Registration Act, which establishes a 90-day quiet period before elections to minimize inaccuracies in voter list maintenance.

Youngkin’s Response

In response to the lawsuit, Youngkin has vehemently defended his administration’s actions. He characterized the DOJ’s move as a desperate attempt to undermine the legitimacy of elections in Virginia. Furthermore, Youngkin emphasized that the lawsuit threatens to invalidate the state’s efforts to ensure election security.

Use of DMV Data

Virginia election officials rely on data from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to assess the citizenship status of voters. However, critics have raised concerns over the reliability of this data, pointing out that it may be outdated or inaccurate. Such discrepancies could result in the wrongful removal of eligible voters, particularly affecting naturalized citizens who may mistakenly be flagged as ineligible.

Youngkin’s Executive Order

In August, Youngkin issued an executive order mandating daily updates to voter lists in an effort to identify and eliminate ineligible voters. This directive has led to the removal of 6,303 voters from the rolls between January 2022 and July 2023 due to inquiries regarding their citizenship status.

State’s Defense

Both Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares intend to vigorously defend the state’s actions, asserting that their methods align with both state and federal laws. Youngkin has described these measures as commonsense steps necessary to uphold the integrity of elections in Virginia.

Additional Legal Challenges

Compounding the controversy, separate lawsuits have emerged from immigrant rights groups and the League of Women Voters, who are also contesting Virginia’s voter purge practices. These organizations argue that the state’s actions violate federal law and threaten the voting rights of many residents.

As the legal battle unfolds, the implications of the DOJ’s lawsuit and the state’s response have significant ramifications for the future of voting rights in Virginia and beyond.