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Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and AG Jason Miyares both issued statements following the ruling, which allows voters previously removed from the rolls to be reinstated following a federal lawsuit.
"Let’s be clear about what just happened: only 11 days before a Presidential election, a federal judge ordered Virginia to reinstate over 1,500 individuals–who self-identified themselves as noncitizens–back onto the voter rolls," the governor said.
"Almost all these individuals had previously presented immigration documents confirming their noncitizen status, a fact recently verified by federal authorities."
Youngkin has vowed to petition the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and is willing to go so far as the US Supreme Court for an emergency injunction following the ruling.
He made note that the Virginia law passed in 2006 by then-Gov. Tim Kaine "mandates certain procedures to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls, with safeguards in place to affirm citizenship before removal–and the ultimate failsafe of same-day registration for US citizens to cast a provisional ballot."
It has been applied in every presidential election since it was enacted 18 years ago.
"It should never be illegal to remove an illegal voter," Miyares added.
"The Department of Justice pulled this shameful, politically-motivated stunt 25 days before Election Day, challenging a Virginia process signed into law 18 years ago by a Democrat governor and approved by the Department of Justice in 2006."
Miyares added, "more concerning is the open practice by the Biden-Harris administration to weaponize the legal system against the enemies of so-called progress.
"That is the definition of lawfare ... To openly choose weaponization over good process and lawfare over integrity isn’t democracy: it’s bullying, pure and simple, and I always stand up to bullies."
The AG also used the incident as an opportunity to implore Virginia residents to get out and vote.
"In the meantime, I encourage every Virginian to exercise their right to vote. Rest assured, I will never stop fighting to preserve the integrity of our election process.
"The Commonwealth of Virginia will appeal this decision – all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary."
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