The Biden administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) is launching legal challenges against state election integrity laws, sparking a heated debate over voting rights and federal overreach.
At a Glance
- DOJ is suing states and towns over election integrity measures ahead of the 2024 presidential election
- Lawsuits target Virginia, Alabama, and Wisconsin towns for voter roll purges and paper ballot systems
- Critics argue the DOJ’s actions misinterpret the law and undermine election integrity efforts
- Biden’s Executive Order 14019 faces scrutiny for potential unlawful interference in state election processes
DOJ Challenges State Election Laws
The Biden administration’s Department of Justice is actively pursuing legal action against several states and municipalities over their election integrity measures. These lawsuits, filed in Virginia, Alabama, and rural Wisconsin towns, challenge practices such as removing non-citizens from voter rolls and implementing all-paper ballot voting systems.
In Virginia, a federal judge ordered the state to reinstate non-citizens on voter rolls, citing a violation of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). This decision has been met with strong criticism from state officials, including Governor Glenn Youngkin, who plans to appeal the ruling.
State Pushback and Legal Battles
Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed his concerns about the federal judge’s decision, stating: “Let’s be clear about what just happened: only eleven 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. Almost all these individuals had previously presented immigration documents confirming their noncitizen status, a fact recently verified by federal authorities.”
Alabama faced a similar lawsuit for attempting to remove non-citizens from voter rolls, with a federal judge ruling against the state. The DOJ argues that the NVRA prevents systematic removal of ineligible voters within 90 days of a federal election.
Executive Order 14019 and Its Implications
Adding to the controversy is President Biden’s Executive Order 14019, signed in 2021, which critics argue could lead to unlawful, partisan interference in the election process. The order directs federal agencies to promote voter registration and participation, including distributing forms and assisting with applications.
This statement from West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner reflects the pushback from several state officials who argue that the executive order oversteps federal authority and could lead to confusion among citizens. Critics also point out that the order is based on policies from Demos, a left-wing advocacy group, raising concerns about partisan objectives.
Legal and Constitutional Concerns
The executive order and the DOJ’s actions have raised significant legal questions. Critics argue that the executive branch lacks constitutional or statutory authority to engage in voter registration and absentee ballot activities, with few exceptions. There are concerns that the order potentially violates the Anti-Deficiency Act by using federal resources without congressional authorization.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, these legal battles and policy debates are likely to intensify, highlighting the ongoing tension between federal oversight and state control in election administration. The outcome of these disputes could have far-reaching implications for how elections are conducted and how voter rolls are maintained across the United States.
Sources:
Biden DOJ fights election integrity efforts with lawsuits across the country ahead of the election
Biden Executive Order 14019: Unlawful Interference in State Election Administration
Federal judge issues order to pause, reverse Virginia voter purge
