Voter integrity in Virginia has taken a new turn under Governor Glenn Youngkin's latest directive.
According to Newsweek, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has enacted extensive election security measures, including the removal of over 6,000 noncitizen voters.
On a recent Wednesday, Governor Youngkin issued an executive order mandating rigorous voter identification and registration protocols to safeguard upcoming elections. This step aligns with ongoing national debates on voter verification processes as the presidential election looms near.
Youngkin's Order Enhances Election Security
The new order outlines several key procedures, such as maintaining a robust "documented chain of custody for paper ballots" which are to be kept for 22 months. This ensures every vote is accounted for and traceable.
Absentee voters must now verify their ballots using social security details and their birth year, adding another layer of security to the voting process. This strict conformity to identification norms highlights the state's commitment to preventing voting discrepancies.
Virginia's approach to voter registration now requires individuals to provide full 9-digit social security numbers, a measure Governor Youngkin emphasizes as crucial for ensuring lawful participation in elections.
New Protocols Remove Noncitizens From Rolls
As part of the broader initiative to enhance election security, Governor Youngkin disclosed that efforts have been underway to rectify voter registrations. Since January 2022, a total of 6,303 noncitizen voters have been identified and removed from Virginia’s voter rolls.
This purge was enabled through improved data sharing between the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Elections. This collaboration has been pivotal in identifying inaccuracies in voter registrations, and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
Governor Youngkin noted the importance of these actions, stating they are impartial and intended to assure that every lawful vote is counted, asserting, "This isn't a Democrat or Republican issue, it's an American and Virginian issue."
Election Security Gains National Attention
The issue of election integrity not only resonates at the state level but has also captured national interest. Former President Donald Trump praised Virginia's leadership, advocating for similar measures across the United States to ensure a fair electoral process. With the critical presidential election just around the corner, these security enhancements have sparked a considerable dialogue on the need for strict voter verification across the country to preserve democratic sanctity.
Glenn Youngkin highlighted the balanced approach Virginia has taken, "We give everyone who was removed from the voter roll 14 days to come back and demonstrate that they are a citizen. And they should be on the voter roll, and that's a very important process."
Youngkin also stressed the transparency and fairness of the process, aiming to build trust amongst voters about the security and reliability of election mechanisms in Virginia. He affirmed that the state employs no conventional voting machines, using only apparatuses that count paper ballots to further minimize errors and vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
Virginia has taken substantial steps under Governor Glenn Youngkin's administration to fortify its electoral systems against fraud and misuse. The removal of over 6,000 noncitizen voters and strict new measures concerning voter identification and paper ballot security epitomize a significant move towards trusted and secure elections. As the nation approaches a pivotal election, these actions set a notable precedent for other states contemplating similar strategies to ensure electoral integrity.
