The Biden-Harris Department of Justice (DOJ) is issuing new guidelines for state and local election officials regarding who can be removed from voter rolls.
However, a former DOJ attorney says the move is tantamount to political intimidation and discourages election officials from effectively ensuring only eligible voters cast ballots.
Hamilton, who now serves as the executive director and senior counsel for America First Legal, added: “What they’re trying to do is they’re trying to chill people from actually doing the very things that are common sense.” On September 9, the DOJ quietly released guidance directed at state and local election workers that emphasized the purging of “voting rolls must be accomplished in compliance with federal law and in a nondiscriminatory manner.” Prior to any election, states are supposed to review their lists of eligible voters, ensuring they’re up to date and any ineligible individuals are removed.
She added: “As we approach Election Day, it is important that states adhere to all aspects of federal law that safeguard the rights of eligible voters to remain on the active voter lists and to vote free from discrimination and intimidation.” While the DOJ claims the guidance does not prohibit states from removing ineligible voters, including noncitizens or those who have committed voter fraud, Hamilton contends that it may still discourage states and local authorities from determining who is an eligible voter.
“This is what I perceive as an attempt by the Department of Justice and Civil Rights Division to intimidate state and local jurisdictions and state and local election officials from doing their jobs,” said Gene Hamilton—a former attorney with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security—in a recent interview.
The updated DOJ rules also bar states from removing voters from rolls within 90 days of an upcoming federal election.
Some states have taken action on the issue, with Texas removing a million ineligible voters from its rolls this year.
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