Judge Blocks Virginia’s Plan to Purge Alleged Noncitizens from Voter Rolls.

 

A federal judge issued an order Friday blocking Virginia’s effort to remove alleged noncitizens from its voter rolls, also directing the state to reinstate over 1,600 individuals previously removed. Judge Patricia Giles ruled in favor of arguments made by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), stating that Governor Glenn Youngkin’s August 7th purge order violated federal law, which prohibits voter list maintenance within 90 days of an election.

The state has vowed to appeal the decision, which came less than two weeks before Election Day. In her decision, Judge Giles highlighted concerns raised by the DOJ that several individuals removed from the rolls appeared to be U.S. citizens. DOJ filings identified at least 43 people removed in Prince William County as likely citizens, and attorneys confirmed that 18 American citizens were among those mistakenly purged.

Judge Giles also questioned the timing of Youngkin’s order, noting it was issued precisely 90 days before the election. Virginia’s counsel, Charles Cooper, argued against reinstatement, warning it would place “hundreds of noncitizens back on these rolls,” which he claimed could invalidate legitimate votes.

Governor Youngkin issued a statement after the ruling, emphasizing that those removed had previously identified as noncitizens on DMV forms, a status he claimed was recently confirmed by federal authorities. Youngkin stated Virginia will seek an emergency stay from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and potentially the U.S. Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the ruling was celebrated by the Virginia Coalition of Immigrants Rights, the League of Women Voters of Virginia, and African Communities Together, who argued the purge violated the National Voter Registration Act. Attorney Ryan Snow called it a “big victory,” ensuring all eligible voters wrongfully purged could participate in the election.

Former President Donald Trump condemned the ruling, taking to Truth Social to criticize the DOJ and Judge Giles, whom he claimed were politically motivated in ordering the “Great Commonwealth of Virginia to PUT NON-CITIZEN VOTERS BACK ON THE ROLLS.” He called the ruling “a totally unacceptable travesty” and expressed hope that the U.S. Supreme Court would overturn the decision.