Virginia Groups Condemn Youngkin Administration for Illegal Voter Purge, Officials Acknowledge Mistaken Removals

Pro-voting groups are criticizing Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin's administration after the state Department of Elections admitted to illegally removing eligible voters from the rolls. The purge, which affected over 17,000 Virginians, mistakenly included individuals with technical probation violations, not new felonies. The Virginia State Police confirmed the error and pledged to stop reporting felony probation violations. The Democratic Party of Virginia is calling for an investigation into the administration's "weaponized incompetence," while the ACLU warns of a chilling effect on early voting. Youngkin's approach to voting rights restoration differs from his predecessors, who made progress in restoring rights to those with felony convictions. Two lawsuits are challenging Virginia's felony disenfranchisement law.