A federal judge in Virginia has ordered the restoration of over 1,600 voter registrations that were illegally purged in the months leading up to the November election. The purge was an attempt to prevent noncitizens from voting, but the judge found that the state lacked evidence to support this claim and violated federal law by canceling the registrations.
The lawsuit was brought by the Justice Department and private groups, arguing that many of the purged voters were actually citizens who were mistakenly removed due to bureaucratic errors. The judge ruled that while the state can remove noncitizens from the voter rolls, it must do so on an individual basis rather than through a systematic program.
Virginia’s Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, issued an executive order requiring daily checks of DMV data against voter rolls to identify noncitizens. However, the judge questioned the timing of this order, which was issued at the beginning of the 90-day quiet period required under federal law.
The ruling has sparked controversy, with former President Donald Trump criticizing the decision and Governor Youngkin defending his actions. The judge’s injunction requires the restoration of voter registrations for those affected by the purge, with letters to be sent out informing them of their restored status.
This case is similar to one in Alabama, where a federal judge ordered the state to restore eligibility for over 3,200 voters who had been deemed ineligible noncitizens. The lawsuits highlight the importance of protecting the voting rights of eligible citizens and ensuring that voter purges are conducted in a fair and lawful manner.
