In a major ruling that could shape the future of voter eligibility battles nationwide, a federal judge has blocked Virginia’s efforts to remove suspected noncitizens from its voter rolls just as early voting begins. The court cited potential violations of federal law, which prohibits large-scale voter roll purges within 90 days of an election. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision has stirred intense debate, fueling speculation that the case may now head to the Supreme Court.
The court’s ruling prevents Virginia from sweeping voter purges based on suspected noncitizenship but clarifies that the state can still safeguard election integrity by canceling registrations individually or prosecuting noncitizens found to vote. Republican leaders, including former President Donald Trump, have rallied behind the case, arguing that noncitizen voting—though rare—poses a significant risk to fair elections. Trump and his supporters contend that the judge’s block weakens necessary protections against voter fraud, a concern they argue is not fully addressed by targeted cancellations alone.
On the other side, civil rights advocates and voting rights groups argue that systematic purges often sweep eligible voters off the rolls by mistake, disproportionately affecting minority communities. The federal judge’s decision, they claim, protects the rights of eligible voters, allowing fair access to the ballot without the threat of accidental disenfranchisement in the rush to purge suspected noncitizens.
As Virginia’s early voting gets underway, the ruling has already intensified political divides. If appealed, a Supreme Court review could set a national precedent, determining how states may handle suspected noncitizen voting in future elections.
