Could GOP Gov. Youngkin’s Illegal Voter Purge Affect Virginia’s Elections?

Also inside: The new House Speaker is an anti-abortion extremist and North Carolina Republicans double down on gerrymandering

We’re six days away from Virginia’s legislative elections, which will determine who controls the General Assembly and dictates the future of reproductive rights in the commonwealth. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has pledged to push for a 15-week abortion ban if the GOP wins control of both legislative chambers, among other right-wing priorities.

Those high stakes make recent revelations that the Virginia Department of Elections (DOE) incorrectly purged nearly 3,400 eligible voters from the voting rolls something of a scandal. Election officials appointed by Youngkin said the removal was a mistake, but did not own up to the scope of the problem until Friday – five weeks after early voting began. 

All but “approximately 100” of the purged voters have had their rights reinstated, according to a news release, and Youngkin’s administration blamed the initial purge on a computer error. But Virginia Democrats have criticized the administration, calling it “weaponized incompetence,” and civil liberties groups like the ACLU have warned the true number of voters affected could be higher.  You can read more about this story at The Dogwood:

More from COURIER’s other newsrooms:

ARIZONA

Kari Lake says she doesn’t support a national abortion ban… but her past comments suggest otherwise 

From The Copper Courier: Lake has called abortion “the ultimate sin,” and she celebrated when Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. Now that she is running for Senate in Arizona, however, Lake has changed her tune and says that she does not support a national abortion ban.

IOWA

Johnston parents worry about a Moms for Liberty takeover of the school board

From Iowa Starting Line: Three current Johnston school board members are connected to Moms For Liberty, and four other candidates with ties to the group are running to join them. If seven members of Moms For Liberty are on the board, parents worry the district won’t be a destination school anymore.

MICHIGAN

Betsy DeVos, Trump’s anti-public school Education Secretary, is personally bankrolling a Michigan Senate candidate

From The ‘Gander: Former Trump Education Secretary Betsy DeVos—who has spent much of her career supporting measures to defund Michigan’s public schools—and her family have reportedly maxed out their political contributions to Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

NEVADA

The Biden Administration is creating a massive tech hub in Northern Nevada that will build batteries for EVs

From The Nevadan/El Nevadense: According to the US Economic Development Administration, this tech hub “seeks to make Nevada a strong node in a critical supply chain,” and make the country’s battery economy more resilient and competitive. 

NORTH CAROLINA

Here’s what you need to know about gerrymandering (with a little help from Duke and UNC basketball)

From Cardinal & Pine: What actually is gerrymandering and why should we care? Political correspondent Michael McElroy explains the process with a topic we all care about: UNC vs. Duke basketball.

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin House Republicans voted for an anti-abortion extremist for House Speaker

From Up North News: Wisconsin Republicans in the US House of Representatives last week voted to elect Mike Johnson as the new Speaker of the House, elevating an extreme, anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ candidate to the most powerful position in Congress. 

FLORIDA

Florida home insurance premiums are devastating residents

From Floricua: Legislation signed by Gov. DeSantis has fueled the home insurance crisis in Florida, leaving homeowners struggling to find affordable policies and worrying claims won’t be approved.

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