### Federal Judge Likely to Order Virginia to Reinstate 1,600 Voters

A federal judge appears inclined to mandate the reinstatement of approximately 1,600 voters that Virginia recently removed from its voter rolls, arguing that the state's actions likely violate federal law by systematically trimming these rolls too close to Election Day. The dispute centers on the state's removal of individuals purportedly not holding U.S. citizenship, an effort Governor Glenn Youngkin has defended alongside other state officials.

In a packed courtroom on Thursday, Judge Patricia Giles expressed significant doubt over the justifications presented by Virginia's officials for conducting these voter roll purges during a federally prohibited 90-day preelection period. Giles, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, is overseeing two lawsuits challenging the removals—one spearheaded by the Justice Department and the other by various immigrant and voting rights groups, including the League of Women Voters.

During the arguments, the plaintiff's side posited that many of the removed individuals were likely citizens, citing mistakes often made on Department of Motor Vehicles forms where people inadvertently marked themselves as non-citizens. The defense, led by Charles Cooper, a seasoned GOP attorney and former Justice Department official, faced heavy scrutiny from Giles. The judge suggested she will likely halt the systematic removals and reinstate those already purged during the 90-day window, although an official ruling was not immediately issued.

This legal clash comes against a backdrop of broader political tensions. Both Youngkin and former President Donald Trump have criticized the Biden administration for allegedly attempting to keep non-citizens on the voting rolls, despite evidence showing that instances of non-citizen voting are exceedingly rare.

The outcome of this case could have significant implications for future voter roll maintenance practices, especially as the balance between preventing voter fraud and ensuring voter access continues to spark political and legal debates across the country.