Kansas Attorney General Joins GOP in Voter Registration Dispute with Virginia
TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has aligned himself with a group of Republican attorneys general to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a legal case concerning Virginia’s plans to remove approximately 1,600 individuals from its voter registration rolls. The case has gained prominence as it highlights the ongoing national debate over voter eligibility, particularly related to alleged noncitizens.
Virginia’s Republican Governor, Glenn Youngkin, initiated an executive order aimed at cleansing the state’s voter rolls based on motor vehicle records, targeting individuals suspected of not being U.S. citizens. However, a coalition led by the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit, asserting that many of those removed were, in fact, citizens. In a preceding ruling, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals supported a lower court’s decision to restore these registrations, mandating Youngkin to undertake a more individualized process for addressing suspected noncitizens, rather than a broad data-based purge.
Kobach, known for his staunch stance on immigration and election integrity issues, has previously faced legal setbacks, including the unsuccessful defense of a Kansas law that required proof of citizenship for voter registration. He claims that illegal votes undermine the legitimacy of U.S. elections and criticized efforts by Democratic officials and judges to maintain noncitizen registrations.
The amicus brief, co-signed by nearly two dozen GOP state attorneys general, argues that federal court interventions are impeding Virginia’s rights to manage voter qualifications. Joining Kobach in this legal effort are attorneys general from five additional states, including Texas and Missouri. The ongoing legal battle underscores the contentious nature of voter registration laws and the broader political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.
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