Virginia Appeals Court Rules on Voter Roll Purges

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that Virginia cannot systematically remove suspected noncitizens from its voter rolls, citing the National Voter Registration Act's 'Quiet Period Provision' which restricts such actions within 90 days of a federal election. This decision follows a previous order by U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles, who mandated the reinstatement of over 1,600 self-identified noncitizens removed from the rolls, arguing that Virginia's voter verification program was overly systematic and violated eligible voters' rights. Virginia officials, supported by conservative leaders, criticized both the ruling and the DOJ's intervention as federal overreach, asserting that the individuals in question had declared their noncitizen status. The situation highlights concerns about voter rights and the complexities involved in voter roll maintenance, with some arguing that actual U.S. citizens may also be erroneously impacted. Meanwhile, the state can still conduct individualized investigations into voter eligibility. The ongoing debate suggests a politically charged atmosphere surrounding election integrity in Virginia.