Supreme Court Lifts Stay on Virginia’s Noncitizen Voter Purge Plan
Washington: On Wednesday, the Supreme Court allowed Republican officials in Virginia to resume a plan aimed at removing noncitizen voters from the rolls ahead of next week’s election. The decision reverses a federal judge’s ruling that put the purge on hold and required Virginia to restore 1,600 voters to the rolls.
Background of the Controversial Plan
Virginia has been conducting checks to remove noncitizen voters under a process flagged by checking boxes for citizenship status on Department of Motor Vehicles forms. Groups challenging the plan have raised concerns about U.S. citizens being incorrectly removed from voter rolls.
Legal Battle Surrounding the Purge
A federal district judge had previously halted the Virginia program due to evidence that U.S. citizens had been erroneously removed. The judge’s order required the restoration of 1,600 voters. However, the Supreme Court swiftly blocked the stay, allowing Virginia to proceed with its purge despite the 90-day restriction under the National Voter Registration Act.
Stance of Virginia’s Governor and Civil Rights Groups
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin hailed the decision as a victory for "commonsense and election fairness." Meanwhile, civil rights groups along with the Biden administration contended that the federal law against systematic deletions within 90 days should protect legal voters against removal.
Potential Political Implications
The decision echoes broader Republican narratives about voting by noncitizens. In the event of defeat for former President Donald Trump, these claims could be leveraged to challenge election results.
Broader Republican Support for Virginia’s Plan
Twenty-six Republican state attorneys general, including Kansas’ Kris Kobach, filed a brief backing Virginia, aiming to justify such preventive actions against supposed fraudulent voting activities.
Conclusion and Impact on Upcoming Elections
The Supreme Court’s ruling paves the way for the continuation of Virginia’s voter purge, potentially affecting an undetermined number of people. This highlights an ongoing U.S. political and legal conflict over voter integrity and inclusivity.
Call-to-Action: Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the developments around this contentious issue. Share your thoughts in the comments below on how this ruling could impact upcoming elections!
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