A coalition of immigrant-rights groups and the League of Women Voters in Virginia has filed a federal lawsuit against Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares, accusing them of an ongoing “purge” of voter rolls that will disenfranchise legitimate voters. The lawsuit, filed on Monday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, argues that Youngkin’s executive order issued in August violates a federal law that requires a 90-day “quiet period” ahead of elections for maintaining voter rolls. The coalition claims that Virginia’s policy of using data from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to determine voter eligibility is flawed because the DMV data is often inaccurate or outdated.
According to the lawsuit, immigrant citizens are particularly at risk because they can obtain driver’s licenses as lawful permanent residents or refugees before becoming naturalized citizens. However, the DMV data will still list them as noncitizens. Christian Martinez, a spokesman for Youngkin, stated that Virginia is complying with state and federal law and accused those spreading misinformation about it either ignoring or trying to undermine Virginia law.
Shaun Kenney, a spokesman for the attorney general, expressed confidence in the position taken by the Department of Elections and stated their readiness to defend it. The exact number of voters removed as a result of Youngkin’s executive order remains unclear since the Virginia Department of Elections has allegedly refused to provide data about its efforts.
The lawsuit cites anecdotal evidence at the local level where county boards have removed voters within the 90-day quiet period required by federal law since Youngkin’s executive order was issued. In Fairfax County alone, minutes from an August meeting showed that 49 voters were removed after receiving notices regarding their citizenship status.
The plaintiffs argue that these removals demonstrate improper removals if individuals fail to respond within the provided 14-day window. Orion Danjuma from The Protect Democracy Project stated that what is happening in Virginia is part of a national effort by supporters of former President Donald Trump to cast doubt on election integrity.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction against removing voters under what it describes as Virginia’s “purge program” and restoration to voter rolls for those who have been removed due to it. A hearing on this request has yet to be scheduled.