The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Virginia, alleging that the commonwealth removed noncitizens from its voter rolls too close to Election Day.

The complaint alleges that the state Board of Elections and Virginia Commissioner of Elections Susan Beals violated the federal National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which mandates that states must complete their maintenance program no later than 90 days before an election under a clause known as the Quiet Period Provision.

The agency alleges that Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin violated the NVRA when announcing and subsequently carrying out an executive order which required the election commissioner to regularly update the state’s voter lists to remove individuals who have been “identified as noncitizens,” and had not responded to a request to verify their citizenship in 14 days. 

Under Youngkin’s executive order, Virginia has removed 6,303 individuals.

“The Executive Order formalized the Program and announced that 6,303 individuals had been removed from the rolls pursuant to the same process between January 2022 and July 2024,” the complaint said.

DOJ SUES ALABAMA, STATE’S TOP ELECTION OFFICIAL FOR ALLEGEDLY PURGING NONCITIZEN VOTERS TOO CLOSE TO ELECTION

The complaint notes that voters were identified as possible noncitizens if they responded “no” to questions about their citizenship status on certain forms submitted to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

“This systematic voter removal program, which the State is conducting within 90 days of the upcoming federal election, violates the Quiet Period Provision,” the DOJ said.

In a statement, Yougkin pushed back on the Justice Department’s lawsuit, saying the lawsuit was “politically motivated.”

“With less than 30 days until the election, the Biden-Harris Department of Justice is filing an unprecedented lawsuit against me and the Commonwealth of Virginia, for appropriately enforcing a 2006 law signed by Democrat Tim Kaine that requires Virginia to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls – a process that starts with someone declaring themselves a non-citizen and then registering to vote,” Youngkins said.

“Virginians – and Americans – will see this for exactly what it is: a desperate attempt to attack the legitimacy of the elections in the Commonwealth, the very crucible of American Democracy,” he said.

Younkin vowed to “defend these commonsense steps” and promised that the state’s election would be “secure and fair.”

YOUNGKIN MANDATES ALL PAPER BALLOTS FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN VIRGINIA

“With the support of our Attorney General, we will defend these commonsense steps, that we are legally required to take, with every resource available to us,” he said. “Virginia’s election will be secure and fair, and I will not stand idly by as this politically motivated action tries to interfere in our elections, period.”

A volunteer holds a sticker to give to a voter at a polling place on Election Day in Stamford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote on X that the DOJ lawsuit is “election interference.”

THOUSANDS OF NONCITIZENS REMOVED FROM VOTER ROLLS, DOZENS OF LAWMAKERS WANT ANSWERS FROM GARLANDc

“The Biden-Harris administration is engaging in election interference,” he wrote. “They’re harassing states that are trying to make sure that noncitizens can’t vote. This is a lawless abuse of power.”

The Justice Department lawsuit against Virginia comes after the agency sued Alabama and its Republican Secretary of State Wes Allen over the state’s voter purge program that targeted noncitizen voters. 

The Justice Department has also sued Alabama and its Republican Secretary of State Wes Allen over the state’s voter purge program.  (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The Justice Department seeks injunctive relief that “would restore the ability of impacted eligible voters to vote unimpeded on Election Day,” and “would prohibit future quiet period violations,” the DOJ said in a statement.

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“The department also seeks remedial mailings to educate eligible voters concerning the restoration of their rights and adequate training of local officials and poll workers to address confusion and distrust among eligible voters accused of being noncitizens,” the agency said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Youngkin for comment.

Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Jontez Williams intercepts a pass against Baylor during the third quarter at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

No. 11 Iowa State faces West Virginia Saturday (6:30 p.m. FOX) in its third Big 12 game of the season. Here are our staff’s picks.

Chris Williams (4-1)
Iowa State hasn’t seen the schedule that West Virginia has. I question how much heart this Oklahoma State squad the Mountaineers bullied last week was playing with. Feels like a coin-toss game. Give me the good guys. Iowa State 27, West Virginia 24

Rob Gray (4-1)
The Mountaineers’ running back duo of Jahiem White and C.J. Donaldson — along with dual-threat quarterback Garett Greene — will sap the Cyclones’ strength on the defensive side of the football, but I’m convinced that the Cyclones will continue to deploy a balanced attack offensively. Toss in Ben Brahmer, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel’s big play capabilities in the passing game — and in Noel’s case, the return game — and ISU looks to keep its dream season alive. The Cyclones do all the right things in the margins and escape Morgantown with a crucial win. Iowa State 27, West Virginia 24

Jeff Woody (5-0)
The game has the inverse feel of the Will Grier WVU game with Iowa State being the favored team. But the difference is Iowa State has the past experience of being the one doing the upsetting. WVU is going to come out flying. But there’s too consistent of a game plan for the Cyclones to keep them down for long. Iowa State comes back in the 3rd and holds on in the 4th. Iowa State 30, West Virginia 24

Connor Ferguson (5-0)
Woody took my uniform inverse deal I was going to write 500 words about so I’ll keep it somewhat brief. West Virginia hasn’t beaten a great team yet, and that version of Oklahoma State was nowhere close to one. Iowa State’s defense is able to again limit a dual threat quarterback and the Cyclones pull away late. Iowa State 29, West Virginia 20

Grant Mahoney (5-0)
I don’t know what to make of this game – I think it’s a prove it game for both teams. ISU is 5-0 but hasn’t really played a good offense, so are they for real? WVU is 3-2 and their two losses are to two undefeated teams but their 3 wins are from a 2-3 FCS team, they snuck past an abysmal 1-5 Kansas team at home, and beat a 3-3 Oklahoma State team (after a bye week), whose defense is among the worst in the country (130 out of 133) – but currently have the 4th best odds to win the conference, so are they for real? If ISU can get up early and force WVU to pass the ball, I like ISU’s chances. If WVU gets up early and they get that raucous “Coal Out” crowd behind him, ISU could suffer their first loss of the season. Iowa State 38, West Virginia 27

Jackson Pence (5-0)
This is by far Iowa State’s biggest test of the year to this point in the season. The Cyclones are the better team, but when you factor in the Mountaineers’ home-field advantage and black-out night game, this game is 50-50. I worry about the health of the Cyclones defense, especially true freshman linebacker Cael Brezina. But one thing I don’t worry about is the Iowa State offense. It still feels like they have another gear to reach. Higgins and Noel each have a long touchdown catch and the Cyclone offense stays hot. The defense will give up some points, especially on the ground, but Heacock and Co. rally late to force a turnover or two and Iowa State stays undefeated at 6-0. The last time that happened… it was 1938. Iowa State 38, West Virginia 31

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Molly Workman, from Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, has verbally committed to swim and study at the University of Virginia beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

“I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Virginia! I want to give a big thanks to my family, coaches, teammates, and friends for all of their support through this process. I would also like to give a big thanks to Coach Todd, Couch Courtney, Coach Jake, and the rest of the @uvaswimdive staff for this amazing opportunity! GO HOOS 💙⚔️🧡”

Workman, the #17 recruit on our Way Too Early list of top-20 swimmers in the class of 2026, will join #9 Roos Rottink, #12 Caden Martin, and #20 Alyssa Sagle in the Cavaliers’ class of 2030.

Workman attends State College Area High School, where she is a junior. She swims club with Nittany Lion Aquatic Club and specializes mainly in sprint freestyle. She had an outstanding performance at the 2024 Pennsylvania High School 3A State Championships in March, winning both the 50 free (22.67) and 100 free (49.31) with lifetime-best times. She also earned a PB in the 50 back (25.48) leading off the medley relay.

Two weeks later, she added PBs in the 200 free (1:51.15), 50 breast (28.98), 200 breast (2:24.64), and 50 fly (25.24) at the ISCA International Senior Cup in Florida. There, she won the 50 free and 50 breast and was runner-up in the 50 back and 50 fly.

In long course, she improved her 100 free (57.66) and 200 free (2:07.25) times this summer at the Speedo Summer Championships in Irvine.

Best SCY times:

• 50 free – 22.67
• 100 free – 49.31
• 200 free – 1:51.15
• 100 fly – 55.01

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

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