With the presidential election approaching, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to permit Virginia to remove non-citizens from its voter rolls. An amicus brief was filed by Drummond along with attorneys general from 25 other states. They argue that a preliminary injunction preventing Virginia from removing self-identified non-citizens undermines state authority over voter qualifications. The law in Virginia aims to maintain election integrity while ensuring only U.S. citizens are on the voter rolls.
"Election integrity is non-negotiable," said Drummond. "Voters across the country are already casting ballots for next week’s presidential election. It is critical that states have the authority to police voter qualifications and keep non-citizens from voting."
The Eastern District of Virginia Court's recent decision temporarily stopping Virginia from removing non-citizens could result in Congress requiring a state to allow non-citizens to vote against its objections, according to the brief. This action would effectively turn Virginia's statute into a federal mandate, compelling states to permit non-citizen voting in violation of both state and federal laws when such individuals are found on rolls within 90 days of an election.
"Non-citizens are not eligible voters," states the brief, emphasizing their ineligibility before and after the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) was enacted.
Besides Oklahoma, the attorneys general who signed this brief represent Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.
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