Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin recently issued an executive order removing over 6,000 noncitizens who attempted to register to vote in the state. While Youngkin clarified that he was not suggesting widespread voter fraud, he emphasized that American elections should be decided by American citizens.
Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson applauded the order, stating it aims to prevent noncitizens from voting. However, the order did not specify if any of the removed individuals had actually voted or later proved their citizenship. The move has sparked concerns among voting, civil, and immigrant rights groups, who believe it contributes to undermining confidence in the electoral process.
The order targets individuals who may have inadvertently indicated noncitizenship when filling out DMV forms or online voter registration documents. The process involves cross-checking data with the Department of Homeland Security to verify legal presence and citizenship.
Critics argue that the rhetoric around noncitizen voting is based on conspiracy theories and stokes fears about immigration. They point out that voter purges and errors in the verification process can wrongfully remove eligible voters from the rolls.
While Governor Youngkin’s office maintains that the process is transparent and allows individuals to prove citizenship within 14 days, questions remain about the potential impact on voter participation ahead of the upcoming election. Voting rights advocates urge the release of more information on the individuals removed from the voter rolls to prevent disenfranchisement and maintain the integrity of the electoral system.
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