Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has found himself in the crosshairs of the Biden administration following a recent lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The legal challenge centers around Youngkin’s enforcement of a state law requiring the removal of non-citizens from voter rolls, an effort that the governor claims is not only legal but also necessary to maintain the integrity of Virginia’s elections. In a forceful response, Youngkin has vowed to fight the lawsuit, decrying it as politically motivated and a transparent attempt to undermine election security just weeks before a crucial national vote.
The law at the heart of the controversy was enacted in 2006 under then-Governor Tim Kaine, a Democrat, and mandates that individuals who declare themselves non-citizens during the voter registration process be removed from voter rolls. According to Youngkin, the process is clear-cut: non-citizens voluntarily disclose their status, and the state is obligated to act on that information to ensure they are not included in the voter base. In his statement, Youngkin emphasized that this practice has long-standing precedent, stressing that Virginia’s actions are in full compliance with both state and federal law.
“It is beyond my possible understanding as to why the Department of Justice wants to block our ability to get non-citizens off the voter rolls. It’s constitutionally the right thing to do. It’s commonsensical, and as a result, we’re going to make sure that we have clean voting… pic.twitter.com/2W2ooxlHwq
— Team Youngkin - Spirit of Virginia (@TeamYoungkin) October 15, 2024
The timing of the DOJ lawsuit, just three weeks before the upcoming election, has raised eyebrows, particularly given the political stakes involved. Youngkin’s rhetoric has been sharpened by the proximity of the lawsuit to the November 5 presidential election, suggesting that the move is an attempt by the Biden administration to distract and create confusion in the final days of campaigning. In a statement, he accused the DOJ of launching a “desperate attempt” to challenge the legitimacy of Virginia’s election processes.
In a recent Fox News interview, Youngkin expressed disbelief over the federal government’s opposition to removing non-citizens from voter rolls. He framed the issue as one of constitutional and electoral integrity, arguing that it is "commonsensical" to ensure that only eligible citizens are able to vote.
Youngkin reiterated that his administration’s priority is to maintain "clean voting rolls," promising to stand firm in his defense of the law.
We shouldn’t allow individuals who have self-identified as noncitizens to remain on the voter rolls. It’s not just common sense, it’s Virginia law. pic.twitter.com/yNEZcRG6hl
— Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) October 14, 2024
Youngkin’s defense has not been limited to conservative-leaning media. In an appearance on CNN, the governor found a surprising degree of consensus regarding the principle that non-citizens should not be allowed to vote. While the lawsuit has brought fresh scrutiny to Virginia’s election policies, it has also reignited a larger national debate about voter identification and citizenship requirements—issues that remain hotly contested on Capitol Hill.