Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has unveiled a new ballot security system just in time for the 2024 presidential election. The executive order, signed on Wednesday, introduces several measures designed to enhance the integrity of the voting process, but it has already drawn criticism from left-leaning groups.
Youngkin took to social media to announce Executive Order 35, stating, “This isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue, it’s an American and Virginian issue. Every legal vote deserves to be counted.” The order requires all votes to be cast using paper ballots with a documented chain of custody. Additionally, the counting machines used in the election will not be connected to the internet, reducing the risk of external interference.
Another key component of the order is the cross-referencing of voters’ Social Security numbers and DMV records to verify their identity, a process that will also apply to absentee ballots. The order further mandates the removal of non-citizens, including illegal immigrants, from voter rolls if they are found to be registered.
In a statement, Youngkin explained, “We verify the legal presence and identity of voters using DMV data and other trusted data sources to update our voter rolls daily, not only adding new voters, but scrubbing the lists to remove those that should not be on it.”
These measures are part of Youngkin’s broader push to secure Virginia’s elections following concerns that arose after the 2020 presidential election. Despite assurances that the election was the “most secure in history,” many voters remain skeptical, particularly about the use of vote-by-mail and other non-traditional voting methods.
Left-wing critics are expected to push back against Youngkin’s initiatives, much like they did when Georgia passed its Election Integrity Act in 2021. That legislation led to significant backlash, including a lawsuit from President Joe Biden’s Justice Department and boycotts by major organizations.
Youngkin’s actions are seen as a critical step in ensuring that Virginia’s elections are fair and secure, especially as the 2024 election is shaping up to be one of the most important in recent history. While controversy is likely, the measures aim to restore voter confidence in the electoral process.
