Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin made a strong case against the Department of Justice’s lawsuit challenging Virginia’s recent efforts to remove non-citizens from its voter rolls. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Youngkin defended the longstanding state policy, which has been in place since 2006, insisting that it’s a common-sense approach to ensuring election integrity.
The DOJ argues that Virginia’s actions violate the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), specifically the “Quiet Period” provision, which restricts systematic voter list maintenance within 90 days of a federal election. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized that purging voter rolls too close to Election Day risks disenfranchising eligible voters. However, Youngkin pushed back, highlighting that Virginia’s process doesn’t target random individuals; it removes only those who have self-identified as non-citizens.
In response to Tapper’s concerns, Youngkin explained, “This law has been on our books since 2006, signed by then-Democratic Governor Tim Kaine.” He added that the policy simply uses DMV data where individuals check a box indicating their non-citizen status. “They’re notified, given 14 days to affirm citizenship, or removed,” he said. According to Youngkin, this process has operated under both Democratic and Republican governors without issue until now.
Tapper questioned the timing of the removals, given the impending election. He noted that federal law mandates the 90-day Quiet Period to minimize mistakes in voter rolls and avoid disenfranchising citizens. Youngkin, however, pointed out that Virginia has conducted these checks within the 90-day window for years, without DOJ intervention. “This all started 25 days before a presidential election,” he said, implying that the timing of the lawsuit itself was politically motivated.
Youngkin disclosed that over 6,300 non-citizens have been flagged for potential removal, with multiple notifications provided to ensure accuracy. He emphasized that non-citizens should not remain on the voter rolls, especially when they have declared their ineligibility by self-identifying as such. Youngkin also reminded viewers that Virginia offers same-day voter registration, so any individuals wrongly flagged can still vote on Election Day after clarifying their status.
As the debate wrapped up, Tapper admitted, “No non-citizen should vote,” but underscored that the Quiet Period provision exists to avoid errors. Youngkin argued that the removal program aligns with both federal and state laws and dismissed the notion that it constitutes a “purge,” as it focuses solely on those who have self-identified as non-citizens.
“STUNNING” — Gov Glenn Youngkin schools Jake Tapper on DOJ attempts to stop Virginia from REMOVING NON-CITIZENS from its voter rolls.
Youngkin breaks it down very succinctly here:
"Do you think that non-citizens, when they've self-identified as a non-citizen, should stay on… pic.twitter.com/unv1e1Vw4U
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) October 14, 2024
The dispute between Virginia and the DOJ now heads to the courts, where a judge will decide if Youngkin’s longstanding policy will prevail or if federal law will impose new constraints on state-led voter list maintenance efforts.
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