Judge blocks Virginia from purging voter rolls of alleged noncitizens

Voters in Arlington, Virginia lined up outside a polling station to cast their early votes. A federal judge blocked the state from purging its voter rolls of alleged noncitizens, ordering the reinstatement of over 1,600 people who had been removed. The purge ordered by Governor Glenn Youngkin was deemed too close to Election Day and violated federal law. The state plans to appeal the ruling. The judge’s decision was praised by advocacy groups and attorneys, who emphasized the importance of protecting citizens’ right to vote. Governor Youngkin criticized the ruling and plans to seek an emergency stay from higher courts.