Election integrity is at the core of democracy, but recent actions by some states suggest a troubling trend: lax policies that undermine the security of our voter rolls. As the 2024 election looms, reports show a disturbing level of complacency in protecting these rolls from unqualified or illegal voters.
We’re not just talking about the possibility of voter fraud; we’re talking about non-citizens—both legal immigrants and illegal aliens—being mistakenly (or deliberately) added to the lists. Here’s the question we all have to ask: are Democrats pushing this issue, or are they simply allowing it to slide?
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Just last week, a Biden-appointed judge blocked an effort in Virginia to remove over 1,600 suspected non-citizens from voter rolls. Many see this as a deliberate attempt to weaken voter integrity measures, leaving states unable to protect their own election processes.
But not everyone is taking this lying down. Conservative leaders are pushing back and going straight to the Supreme Court to defend the right to keep their voter rolls clean.
From Daily Wire:
The Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Virginia have filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the United States to stay a decision by a Biden-nominated judge who blocked an effort to keep non-citizens from voting.
The RNC and Virginia Republicans File to Defend Voter Rolls
The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Republican Party of Virginia have taken a firm stand against what they call a threat to election security. They recently filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, seeking to reverse a decision by U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles, a Biden-nominated judge who ruled against Virginia’s efforts to maintain clean voter rolls.
This all started in August when Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin ordered state officials to identify and remove non-citizens from the voter rolls. But the Biden-Harris administration claimed this was a violation of the 1993 National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), arguing that it unfairly removed eligible voters.
Then, two weeks before the election, Judge Giles sided with the administration, ordering Virginia to reinstate the registrations of the 1,600 individuals in question. The RNC and Virginia GOP’s brief argues that this decision runs counter to the NVRA’s own purpose, which is to ensure that only eligible citizens are on voter rolls.
According to RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, the ruling effectively leaves states powerless to prevent non-citizens from voting, calling it “an extraordinary measure to keep non-citizens on voter rolls.”
Is the 1993 National Voter Registration Act Being Misused?
The RNC’s amicus brief highlights a critical issue: whether the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 is being misinterpreted to protect non-citizens rather than eligible American voters.
The NVRA was designed to help ensure more eligible citizens register to vote while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. But the RNC’s filing argues that Judge Giles’s interpretation does the opposite, preventing states from maintaining current and accurate voter rolls.
If the ruling is allowed to stand, it would mean that states are powerless to prevent non-citizens from ending up on their voter rolls. And here’s the kicker—these non-citizens, if confused by the reinstatement of their registration, could end up voting illegally and facing criminal charges.
The potential harm goes both ways: it dilutes legitimate votes and puts non-citizens at risk.
The Urgency of the Supreme Court’s Decision
The timing here is critical. The 2024 election is just around the corner, and if the decision isn’t overturned, it could lead to what Republicans call “irreparable harm” to the integrity of the election.
The Supreme Court is now the final line of defense, and the RNC and Virginia GOP are pressing the justices to act swiftly. In their brief, they argue that this issue must be resolved immediately to prevent unlawful voting and protect the democratic process.
Virginia isn’t alone in this fight. Other states have voiced concerns about federal overreach and what they see as the undermining of their right to manage their own elections.
This isn’t just about Virginia’s ballot; it’s about the precedent that could impact voter rolls across the country.
The Bottom Line: What’s at Stake?
This situation underscores the broader issue of election integrity. With millions of Americans heading to the polls, confidence in our election systems is paramount. If states cannot secure their own voter rolls, it raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the election.
Voters deserve to know that their ballots count equally, without dilution by unqualified votes. And without rigorous safeguards in place, that confidence may be shaken. For many conservative leaders, the answer is simple: give states the authority to secure their elections as they see fit.
The Biden-Harris administration’s approach, in contrast, seems to prioritize broader inclusivity at the risk of security—a stance that has only deepened the divide on this issue.
UPDATE:
The Supreme Court has granted Virginia’s request to continue removing non-citizens from its voter rolls! (NBC News)
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court Showdown: Virginia Republicans and the RNC are challenging a ruling that reinstated 1,600 non-citizens to voter rolls.
- Election Integrity at Risk: Critics argue the decision could lead to unqualified votes and weaken election security.
- States’ Rights on the Line: The fight in Virginia could set a precedent affecting voter roll policies nationwide.
Source: Daily Wire