Election Integrity: Virginia Voter Roll Fight Down to the Wire
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Key Takeaways
- Virginia’s is battling in court over whether to remove 1,600 noncitizens from the voter rolls.
- Those who want all voters to remain intact say removing them would be a dangerous step toward disenfranchisement violating democratic values.
- Advocates for removing noncitizens say disallowing noncitizens to vote should not be controversial, unless Democrats are trying to cheat.
- Many fear removals will deter turnout in diverse communities, saying marginalizes and excludes vulnerable groups from the electoral process.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
2,500
Geographical Breakdown
Virginia
Time Period
4 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
A recent Virginia battle over removing 1,600 noncitizens from the voter rolls is causing partisan controversy. There are accusations that removing them will impact both voter turnout and civic mobilization. A federal judge subsequently ordered the 1,600 voters to be added back, causing Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and 26 attorneys general to urge the Supreme Court to halt the ruling.
The decision has heightened political engagement, with both sides mobilizing to protect their version of democratic ideals. Some also point out that, for such only 1,600 votes, the high-octane battle reveals how tight the Virginia race is.
- Republicans generally view removing noncitizens as essential for safeguarding election integrity, rallying around themes of legality and security.
- Democrats often view the removal as an exclusionary tactic that risks disenfranchising communities and undermining democracy.
I'm just saying, the DOJ is not going to have an election-home-stretch PR disaster, in the form of trying to put noncitizens back on our voter rolls, over a mere 1500 registrations, because Harris is set to win by 5-7 points.
— Virginia Project (@ProjectVirginia) October 27, 2024
They know what I see: Virginia is a dead heat.
Turnout Concerns
Those who oppose removing noncitizens worry about a potential decline in turnout due to perceived disenfranchisement. Approximately 65-70% of those commenting on the situation indicate fear that removal could discourage voter participation. They especially emphasize low enthusiasm in diverse communities, framing this decision as adjacent to voter suppression.
Election Integrity Stakes
There is also robust support for preventing noncitizens from voting. This group discusses legality, national identity, and patriotism. They believe in maintaining a verified citizenry on the voter rolls. This group says purging noncitizens from the rolls is both legal and highly important to ensure election integrity. They argue objectors can only have one reason for keeping noncitizens on the rolls—election cheating.
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Linguistic and Symbolic Impacts
The language used in discussions around this topic is divided. Opponents of removing voters use metaphors of battle and conflict, describing the situation as a “fight for democracy.” Have voice a sense of urgency and heightened stakes.
Those who want noncitizens barred from voting use phrases like “patriotic duty” and “integrity of the ballot.” They frame their position as a moral and national imperative, essential for safeguarding the democratic process.
The division in language contrasts “democracy” versus “national sovereignty,” both of which are pillars of partisan rhetoric.
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