Virginia AG Launches Voter Protection Unit Amid Criticism Over Dead Felons Voting Rights

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has established a new Voter Protection Section within his office, an initiative he stated is designed to counter the erosion of voting rights and former President Donald Trump's election security efforts. However, critics, including the Republican Party of Virginia, argue that Jones is overlooking significant voting irregularities within his own state, specifically the mailing of voting rights restoration letters to deceased felons.

Jones announced the formation of the section Tuesday, asserting it will enforce state voting-rights laws and address what his office described as "Donald Trump’s relentless attacks on our democracy, and his administration's efforts to impede access to the ballot." The announcement referenced actions taken during the Trump administration, such as efforts to implement stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration and changes to mail-in ballot rules.

"At a time when the Trump administration has sought to push the federal government further into the administration of state elections, we will work closely with the Department of Elections and the Federal Accountability Unit to protect Virginia’s authority, the integrity of our elections, and every eligible voter’s right to be heard," said Ajay Saini, the official Jones appointed to lead the new division.

Critics, however, pointed to recent revelations that restoration letters for voting rights were sent to deceased individuals. Republican lawmakers and party officials contend that Jones' new unit should prioritize investigating these instances. Terry Kilgore, Virginia House Minority Leader, stated, "The top priority for this new divisions should be finding out how many dead felons have had their rights restored, and how that happened in the first place."

Several Virginia residents have reported receiving these notices addressed to deceased relatives. Kim Taylor, a former Republican delegate, criticized the unit as an "empty political gesture" given the ongoing issues, adding that Jones' focus ignores the "dead felons" scandal and a proposed ballot measure that would alter felon voting rights.

Jones, when pressed on these criticisms, emphasized his personal connection to the civil rights movement and the ongoing nature of voting rights work. "Generations of Americans had to sacrifice, organize, and show extraordinary courage to claim that right," Jones said in a statement. "That history is personal to me, and it reminds us that the work of civil rights and voting rights is never finished."

Virginia Beach attorney Tim Anderson raised concerns about the AG's office enforcing election laws comprehensively, questioning whether it would pursue cases against noncitizens who vote illegally with the same vigor as it pursues alleged voter suppression. Anderson noted that the governor previously restricted cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

In parallel, the Department of Justice has been pursuing non-citizens for alleged voter fraud. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter stated that federal prosecutors have charged 50 individuals with voting crimes in the past month. The DOJ is also appealing a Florida ruling that declared a federal law banning non-citizen voting unconstitutional.

The Democratic Party of Virginia has expressed support for Jones' initiative, stating that "Virginia is not backing down" in the face of what they describe as Trump's attacks on voting rights.