Virginia election officials have canceled 6,531 voter registrations identified as belonging to "declared noncitizens" between June 2024 and June 2026, according to documents obtained by the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch. The findings have intensified the national discussion surrounding election integrity and the accuracy of voter rolls, particularly with the upcoming November election.
"It is disturbing beyond belief that as many as 6,531 noncitizens were registered to vote in Virginia." — Tom Fitton, President of Judicial Watch
The documents, released in response to a Judicial Watch records request, detail the cancellation of registrations flagged as noncitizen accounts. Tom Fitton, President of Judicial Watch, expressed significant concern over the discovery. "It is disturbing beyond belief that as many as 6,531 noncitizens were registered to vote in Virginia," Fitton stated, urging federal law enforcement to join his organization in demanding further details. Fitton also drew parallels to a recent voter-roll controversy in New Jersey, suggesting that the Virginia figures indicate a broader, nationwide issue in election administration.
The process for identifying potential noncitizen registrations in Virginia involves collaboration with the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). An April opinion from the Virginia Attorney General's office clarifies that the DMV provides election officials with information about individuals who indicate they are not U.S. citizens when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or identification document. Election officials then use this DMV data to identify potential matches within the existing voter database.
Once a potential match is identified, local registrars are tasked with verifying the records. If the match is confirmed, a notice is sent to the individual informing them of the intent to cancel their registration. The recipient is given 14 days to submit a sworn statement confirming their U.S. citizenship. Should no response be received within this timeframe, election officials are authorized to proceed with the cancellation of the registration. The Attorney General's opinion also acknowledged that this process is not infallible, noting instances where eligible citizens might inadvertently indicate noncitizen status on DMV forms, leading to incorrect flags.
It is important to note that the documents released by Virginia did not include voting histories for the canceled registrations. Consequently, these records do not establish whether any of the individuals whose registrations were removed actually cast ballots in federal, state, or local elections. Election officials routinely emphasize that the mere appearance of an individual's name on a voter list does not inherently prove illegal voting activity.
The issue has gained additional traction due to a recent settlement Virginia entered into with various advocacy groups. This agreement established a pause on certain removals of declared noncitizens from voter rolls during the 90-day period immediately preceding federal elections. Critics of this settlement contend that such a pause could hinder election officials' ability to maintain up-to-date and accurate voter lists in the critical period before Election Day. Conversely, supporters argue that the measure is essential for protecting eligible voters from being improperly removed from the rolls close to an election, thereby safeguarding their right to vote.
Federal law explicitly prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections. Furthermore, it is a criminal offense to knowingly claim U.S. citizenship for the express purpose of registering to vote or casting a ballot. Judicial Watch has indicated its intention to seek additional records from Virginia to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the canceled registrations and to assess whether further actions are warranted. The organization has a history of pursuing voter-roll lawsuits and advocating for transparency in numerous states, consistently arguing that election officials bear a fundamental responsibility to ensure the accuracy and integrity of their voter lists.
The revelations from Virginia are expected to significantly contribute to the ongoing national discourse concerning election security, the efficacy of citizenship verification processes, and the delicate balance between maintaining clean and accurate voter rolls and ensuring that eligible citizens are not disenfranchised through erroneous removals. The findings underscore the persistent challenges faced by election administrators in managing complex voter registration systems while upholding public confidence in the electoral process.
