Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Virginia Voter Roll Removal Case

Virginia Voter Roll Removal Case Heads to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an emergency appeal from Virginia regarding a lower court decision that ordered the state to reinstate hundreds of potential noncitizens to its voter rolls. This decision comes just days before the November 2024 election and has sparked controversy on both sides of the political aisle.

Governor Glenn Youngkin hailed the Supreme Court's decision as a "victory for commonsense and election fairness." He expressed gratitude to Attorney General Jason Miyares for his efforts in protecting the fundamental rights of U.S. citizens.

At the heart of the case lies the question of whether Virginia's voter removal process violates the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The NVRA mandates a 90-day "quiet period" before federal elections, during which states are prohibited from conducting "systematic" voter roll maintenance.

The Justice Department, which sued Virginia over its removal program, argues that the state's actions violate the NVRA's quiet period provision. They contend that the removals were conducted too close to the election and may have resulted in eligible voters being incorrectly removed from the rolls.

Virginia, on the other hand, maintains that its removal process is "individualized" and conducted in accordance with state and federal law. They argue that the NVRA does not apply to "self-identified noncitizens" and that the state has a legitimate interest in ensuring that only eligible voters participate in elections.

Adding to the complexity of the case, 26 Republican-led states have joined Virginia in petitioning the Supreme Court. They argue that the Justice Department's interpretation of the NVRA is overly broad and does not apply to noncitizens.

With the election just days away, the Supreme Court's decision is expected to be closely scrutinized. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for voter access and election integrity in Virginia and beyond.