Supreme Court Blocks Order to Reinstate Aliens on Virginia Voter Rolls

The U.S. Supreme Court intervened by granting an emergency stay that puts a hold on a lower court's directive for Virginia to reinstate aliens to its voter rolls. This decision came after Virginia's Republican Governor, Glenn Youngkin, had ordered the removal of these individuals.

The case, titled Susan Beals v. Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights, features Susan Beals, the commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections, facing off against activist groups such as the League of Women Voters Virginia and African Communities Together. The U.S. Justice Department has aligned itself with the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights in this dispute.

This Supreme Court ruling halts an order from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, which had been effective as of October 25, requiring Virginia to restore the voter registrations of aliens that had been removed. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals had upheld this lower court ruling while deliberating on the case.

Notably, justices appointed by former Presidents Obama and Biden indicated they would have opposed this stay, highlighting the division within the court regarding the interpretation of electoral laws. The Supreme Court's stay will remain in effect until the 4th Circuit reaches a conclusion, and if it rules against Virginia, the Supreme Court's stay can last until the resolution of any further appeals.

The Justice Department's involvement stems from their assertion that Virginia and Alabama breached the National Voter Registration Act by failing to comply with a 90-day deadline for systematic voter list maintenance ahead of elections. Critics of the Justice Department's actions argue that many federal laws prohibit non-citizens from registering to vote, suggesting that the agency is not doing enough to uphold these mandates under the current administration.

Legal experts emphasizing election integrity argue that the Supreme Court's ruling empowers states to manage their voter registrations more effectively. The political landscape in Virginia is also evolving, as recent polls show a narrowing lead for the Democratic nominee Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump, keeping the electoral race competitive.